LAGWAGON, AGAINST ALL AUTHORITY, BAD COP BAD COP, MEAN BIKINI, VCS SOUND SYSTEM @ Victoria's 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival

Victoria Ska and Reggae Fest marches on with an anarchic celebration of punk, ska, and beyond. For the second consecutive year, the festivals main headliner is a punk rock legend, further celebrating the genres influence on ska and reggae culture. Lagwagon makes their festival debut to headline our marquee evening program. The California punk band formed in 1989 and gained renown in the American punk scene and beyond for their influential contributions to melodic hardcore and skate punk. Known for their fast tempos, memorable lyrics, and catchy melodies, Lagwagons early albums, like Trashed and Hoss, are considered classics, influencing subsequent generations of punk bands. Lagwagons most popular album, Lets Talk About Feelings released in 1998, featured several iconic tracks, including May 16, and received widespread acclaim for its blend of melodic punk and introspective lyrics, contributing to the bands lasting impact on punk rock.

Now three-plus decades into their career, the band is as tight as ever, wowing longtime and new fans across the globe. Also making their festival debut is Against All Authority. The politically charged skacore band was born in 1992 in the wake of the destruction left behind by Hurricane Andrew in Miami, Florida. Musically they fill the gap between old school 80s hardcore punk and uplifting feel good ska with a bright yet ferocious original sound. The band has five full length albums and over seven EP releases spanning from 1994-2006. After a 15-year hiatus, AAA is officially back with shows both in the States and internationally. Yet another festival debut, Bad Cop Bad Cop is bringing some more California punk fury to the Curling Club stage. The band has become an underground favourite through massive tours and numerous releases on legendary punk label, Fat Wreck Chords, offering a sound featuring massive hooks and sticky vocal harmonies. Their latest album, Lighten Up sees the punk quarter veer into reggae and dub for the first time, making them a perfect addition to the Ska and Reggae fest family. Holding down the Island scene is Mean Bikini. Blasting out of the seemingly sleepy town of Cumberland, BC, Mean Bikini are hailed for their ripping fast brand of punk and enthusiastic live show. Mostly queer, sometimes political, always a damn good time, when Mean Bikini is stalking the stage, you know youre gonna get kicked in the ears in the nicest way possible. Keeping the party going between acts is the VCS Sound System. The musical crew evolved out of friends love of good music. Playing in bands, going to shows, collecting and sharing proper music with one another evolved into what they are today. Not be boxed in by one genre, the crew spins glam, soul, reggae, rocksteady, power pop, mod revival, garage, and punk all on 45RPM vinyl.