The 2010 Island Vibe lineup has been announced, and reads as the who’s who of local and international reggae, hip hop, roots, dancehall and soul.

 

 

New Zealand’s premier female MC Ladi6 (Karoline Tamati) is set to bring her energetic live performances, sublime soulful vocals and conscious lyrics to Island Vibe 2010. The landmark success of her debut solo album Time Is Not Much on both sides of the Tasman saw Ladi6 gracing the stage of the Big Day Out and touring with De La Soul, 50 Cent and The Roots. Her vocals have been sought out to feature on tracks by Fat Freddys Drop, Shapeshifter, Scribe and 50Hz, as well top German hip hop artist Sepalot. This will be Ladi6’s first visit to Island Vibe and is set to be a massive headline act.

 

 

Hailing from North California, Groundation have been pioneering the new reggae sound for over 12 years – in that time releasing 8 studio albums. Featuring an elastic line-up that can see up to 9 people on stage at a time, their Virgin Island fusion of trumpet, saxophone, trombone, timbales, congas, and authentic organs has seen them become one of the most influential acts on the US reggae scene. Renowned as much for their social consciousness as their musical pedigree, they have a deep association with Jamaican culture and Rastafari, and their commitment to the environment is a great complement for the Island Vibe ethos.

 

 

Heading the announcement is New Zealand Hip Hop maestro King Kapisi. Hailing from Wellington but with Samoan heritage, King Kapisi was the first NZ hip hop artist to win the prestigious Silver Scroll Award at the APRA awards for Songwriter of the Year, for his 1999 single Reverse Resistance. Sales from his albums Savage Thoughts and 2nd Round Testament have both reached the gold status mark, whilst internationally he’s toured throughout Europe, the US, Japan and Australia, supporting the likes of Janet Jackson, Moby, Black Eyed Peas, Beastie Boys, Michael Franti and Spearhead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. King Kapisi is well and truly one of NZ’s greatest Hip Hop artists and it’s a pleasure to have him at Island Vibe 2010.

 

 

 

Paula Fuga

 

With a list of collaborations that includes Jack Johnson and Ziggy Marley, Paula Fuga stands towards the pinnacle of the Hawaiian Reggae scene. Possessing a distinct rich soulful voice similar to the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, her R&B sound has a strong wide appeal and is set to shine against the breezy Island Vibe backdrop.

 

Opiuo

 

Melbourne breakbeat producer Opiuo has taken the national scene by storm – his new album Slurp and Giggle has gone gangbusters, named Sunset Album Of The Week on FBi, Tipsheeted on PBS and racking up airplay Aus-wide. A self confessed music addict with a light hearted approach to life and art, Opiuo is at his best whilst hiding from the world, creating fun fuelled music. Influences coming from everything, from life changing experiences, to mere cups of tea. Incorporating sounds as varied as jazz, reggae, funk, rock, psychedelia, and downright chunky goodness.

 

MIsta Savona

 

A much loved part of Island Vibe, Mista Savona hits up Straddie after the release of his brand new album Warn The Nation. Signed to Elefant Tracks, the album follows after his critically acclaimed 2007 release Melbourne Meets Kingston, which recorded over three years with a collaboration of Jamaican and Australian musicians. He is the first Australian producer to release his own riddim series in Jamaica, the successful Fire Dragon Riddim featuring performances Sizzla, Burro Banton and Vida-Sunshyne. They also feature on his new album, as well as heavyweight dancehall and reggae artists Capleton, Anthony B, Alton Ellis, Bungle, and Horace Andy. Featuring swirling middle eastern strings, sub-bass mayhem and bad-ass beat programming, the album stands as a dense, mesmerizing, raw, beautiful and powerful vehicle for Savona and his collaborators. Catch it live at Island Vibe.

 

 

 

Bunna Lawrie

 

A member of seminal act Coloured Stone, Bunna Lawrie is a statesman of the Australian music industry. He was awarded the Don Banks Music Award in 1999 for his outstanding contribution to Australian Music – the first time this award has ever gone to a rock musician, let alone an indigenous one. Bunna founded Coloured Stone in the small SA community of Kooniba in 1978, and some 32 years later the band is still touring, having played Big Day Out and Woodford Folk to name a few. Bunna is set to take to the stage solo at this year’s festival.

 

 

 

Add to that a massive rollcall of Australia’s finest bands, musicians and DJ’s: The Versionaries, Spankinhyde, Ali Baba feat. Greg Sheehan, Mr Percival, The Nomad, Kooii, Darky Roots, Spacifix, Saritah, Cheap Fakes, Raz Bin Sam and The Lion I Band, Rhythm Hunters, Impossible Odds, Paua, Djambouki, Sandridge Band, Yindi Band, Ida, Bobby Alu, De La Haye, Erther, Resteteser, Rhythm Collision Sound, Andy Dub, 20,000 Leagues, Flowkab Deuce, One Time, Bird Fire All Stars, Juddah, The Flumes, Anarchist Duck, Nuff Ska, ‘n’ Rocksteady, Billy Dread, Sistas Moocha, Afreeka Earth Dance, One Rude Ape feat. Sunny Dread DJ Mustaphaa, Landsoaken and DJ Catkid.

 

 

 

Local Artists: Clara Durbidge, Midjimberry Road feat. John Malcolm, Pippi Lips, Straddie Island Songwriters Coillective, Straddie Island Singers and Quandamooka

 

 

 

Island Vibe 2010, borrowing a little from its sister festival West End Carnivale, will be injecting a spicy collection of circus, burlesque and more, with the addition of:

 

Tiger Lil, La Viola Vixen, Miss BB le Buff, Ruby Grapefruit, Hoopla Clique, YoYoBanG, Tweet, Little Miss Rampage, Toulouse Mime, Hu La La!, Talitha, Mali de Goey and Percy Valentine