Cork Ska & Reggae Festival 2025: Your Guide to a Free Weekend of Rhythms!
Get ready for an electrifying weekend as the Cork Ska & Reggae Festival returns from Friday, July 25th to Sunday, July 27th, 2025! Since 2017, this “One Love” festival has brought together two iconic Cork venues, the Crane Lane Theatre and The Pavilion, to celebrate the best of ska and reggae. And the best part? All events are completely free to enter!
After the challenges of recent years, the festival continues its mission to support both local and international acts, bringing incredible talent and infectious vibes to the people of Cork. As the organizers say, “What’s the Ska? Check it out… Irie.”
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Friday, July 25th – The Pavilion: Kicking Off the Festival!
The festival ignites on Friday, July 25th, at The Pavilion on Careys Lane. Doors swing open at 9 PM, setting the stage for an electrifying night.
9:30 PM: The Skalps The Dublin-born powerhouse, The Skalps, will take center stage. Known for their “fast and furious” sound, The Skalps masterfully blend melodic lines with punchy ska rhythms and snappy vocals, guaranteeing to get the crowd dancing. Expect a dynamic performance featuring original tracks from their acclaimed debut album, Dreamscapes and Landscapes, now available on double vinyl, alongside their signature unexpected covers and genre detours.
12:00 AM: The Light Runners As midnight approaches, prepare for the “Midnight Magic” of The Light Runners. This international supergroup brings together some of the finest reggae musicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Denmark, and Ireland. Their performance promises to be a rare treat, staying true to roots reggae while weaving in hypnotic hooks, fluid vocal harmonies, and a distinct African flair, all led by the enigmatic Lazare Mbouwoua.
Saturday, July 26th – Double the Venues, Double the SKA!
Saturday, July 26th, brings a double dose of musical brilliance across two iconic venues. The action kicks off early at the legendary Crane Lane Theatre, Cork’s true home of ska, reggae, and jazz.
Crane Lane Theatre
4:00 PM: The Service Cork’s very own purveyors of pure ska bliss, The Service, ignite the stage. This six-piece powerhouse has long been renowned for their good vibes and skankin’ tunes, reclaiming their crown as masters of old-school Jamaican Ska, warm Reggae grooves, and essential 2-Tone classics since 2013. They promise a two-hour non-stop, foot-stomping kaleidoscope of favorites from Toots, The Specials, The Beat, Madness, and more.
6:30 PM: The Pinsetters Following The Service, the Crane Lane Theatre welcomes the fiery instrumental force of The Pinsetters. This dynamic 5-piece delivers a unique twist to classic ska tunes, ranging from obscure gems to crowd-pleasing hits, alongside their own inventive originals, ensuring the dance floor remains ignited.
9:00 PM: DMac Burns The Cork Ska & Reggae Festival is thrilled to welcome DMac Burns back to Cork. Get ready for a wild night as DMac Burns delivers his unique blend of reggae, dub, R&B, and indie rock. What began as a solo project in NYC has evolved into a global sound, with Danny McDonald now collaborating with keyboardist/dub specialist Matias Saldivia Comas from Argentina, creating a rich soundscape built on a dub reggae backbone. This 9 PM show promises heartfelt, lyrically rich songs and a mesmerizing live set, with no cover charge.
The Pavilion
8:30 PM: The Complete Madness Ska Tribute Later on Saturday evening, The Pavilion on Careys Lane becomes the epicenter of the ultimate ska party. Prepare to go “FULL NUTTY” as The Complete Madness Ska Tribute headlines the night. Formed by Jay Miley in 2011, this incredibly talented crew delivers a crazy, fun-packed, and outrageous performance at a blistering pace. Beyond playing Madness classics, they throw in ska anthems from The Specials, Bad Manners, and more, guaranteeing audience participation from start to finish. Their mission is simple: to create a ska party like no other, “refreshing the nutty parts other Madness tributes cannot reach.” Entry to this epic Saturday night bash is absolutely free.
Sunday, July 27th – Crane Lane Theatre: The Grand Finale!
The final day of the festival culminates at the Crane Lane Theatre, promising an unforgettable send-off.
4:00 PM: Pontious Pilate & The Naildrivers Kicking off the afternoon are the absolute legends, Pontious Pilate & The Naildrivers. For over two decades, this incredible eight-piece has been the heartbeat of Cork’s ska scene, formed right in the city in 1999. They bring a unique blend of ska and punk energy, powerful messages, and pure unadulterated fun, having shared stages with titans like The Undertones, Bad Manners, The Skatalites, The Beat, and The Selecter, and graced every major festival from Electric Picnic to the Irish International Ska & Reggae Festival. Prepare for a set packed with brilliant originals like “Manifesto” and “Own Your Spectrum,” delivered with their signature “Kick The Megaphone” energy.
6:30 PM: Mango Moon The good vibes continue with Mango Moon, a vibrant 7-piece band hailing from West Cork. They specialize in an uplifting blend of Reggae, Ska, and Dub, characterized by big band arrangements, infectious grooves, rich brass and melodica riffs, and lush vocal harmonies. They perform original songs that celebrate themes of love, life, and freedom, expertly weaving in a selection of beloved reggae and ska classics designed to get audiences moving.
9:00 PM: Yes ‘I’ As the evening progresses, Yes ‘I’ takes the stage. This powerful collective pays homage to the very essence of Roots Reggae music. Prepare to be captivated by Ophelia’s soulful vocals, delivered in the spirit of legends like Sister Nancy, Bob Marley, and Barrington Levy, backed by a stellar lineup including Eimear Halihan on Sax, Amy O’Callaghan on Trumpet, Emily Haughton on Keys, James Gormely on Guitar, Ta Seti on Bass, and Omex on Drums.
11:00 PM: DJ Gwada Mike The night doesn’t stop there! Following Yes ‘I’s amazing set, the festival closes out with the one and only DJ Gwada Mike for the ultimate festival send-off. Hailing from the vibrant Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and a cornerstone of the Cork scene since 2006, DJ Gwada Mike is renowned for curating electrifying musical journeys. With his deep connection to Caribbean roots and an infectious energy, he’ll be delivering an open-format set filled with diverse sounds that will keep you grooving until the very last beat of the festival. This is your final chance to soak up the incredible atmosphere, celebrate the music, and send off the Cork Ska & Reggae Festival in true style!
Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of music and good vibes! Which acts are you most excited to see?