The 2025 Wakefield Reggae Festival delivered an unforgettable experience on Saturday, August 16th, with an afternoon and evening filled with fantastic music, great vibes, delicious food, and refreshing drinks.
The 2nd Annual Reggae Fest, featuring a lineup of five bands and produced by Ken Tetzner of Main Street Productions, took place in the courtyard behind the former Phil’s Main Street Grill and next to the Contemporary Theater Company. Jamaican cuisine was offered by Birch and Bay Coastal Kitchen, along with beverages provided by Whaler’s Brewing Company.
The music festival started with an energetic set by The Water Project. Led by Ted Sorlien, the band played a mix of original songs and covers for a lively crowd, setting the tone for the good vibes that followed.
Next up was Soulshot, a prominent New England reggae band that has been performing together for over twenty years. The reggae-ska-rock steady band, featuring an alto saxophone and trumpet, delivered a spirited set from beginning to end.
The transition between acts was seamless and quick. The stage DJ kept the energy flowing between performances, ensuring the festival kept its momentum. This brought us to the third act, The Ravers. For 26 years, The Ravers have performed their reggae-inspired original songs and covers across RI and nearby areas. Led by vocalist Carey Bowman and six talented musicians, The Ravers delivered an amazing set to a crowd of devoted fans and newcomers experiencing a Ravers performance for the first time.
As the festival entered its fourth hour at sunset, local favorites Dudemanbro took the stage. The eight-piece reggae rock band from Narragansett, Rhode Island, gave a fantastic performance, engaging the audience with a lively mix of original songs and covers.
The highly anticipated headliner, the Jamaica-based band The Itals, played authentic roots reggae led by founding member Keith Porter. The festival-goers were captivated by The Itals’ solid performance, with Porter’s charismatic presence and audience interaction enhancing the upbeat atmosphere.
RILiveMusic thoroughly enjoyed the 2025 Wakefield Music Festival and is already looking forward to covering the third edition next year!
Check out the images below, captured by RILiveMusic’s resident concert photographer Kerry Quinn. For a complete collection of festival images, visit www.facebook.com/KerryQuinnPhotography. Additional images and video clips can be found by at Main Street Production’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mainstreetparties
