Rototom Sunsplash puts the finishing touches to its line-up with a twist of dancehall, roots reggae, afrobeats and jazz
The iconic band Twinkle Brothers, Marcus Gad & Tribe and the return of Midnite steeps the festival in the roots of Jamaican music
The international reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash 2024 (Benicàssim, Spain from 16 to 21 August) offers a vibrant journey from roots reggae (Twinkle Brothers, Midnite, Marcus Gad) to dancehall (Beenie Man, Fyahbwoy) passing through afrobeats (Flavour) with this new round of confirmations that completes the line-up of the festival’s 29th edition. Rototom Sunsplash 2024 also welcomes jazz for the first time (with Samuel Blaser’s tribute to Don Drummond, the legendary trombonist of the Skatalites) and explores eclecticism through the voices of Etana, Naomi Cowan and the Brazilian Bia Ferreira.
Half a hundred names sculpt this new artistic ensemble that will perform on the festival’s five stages. The Jamaican band Twinkle Brothers strengthens the roots reggae presence in the line-up. Icons from reggae’s golden age in the 70s, the anthems of the band formed by the Grant brothers, have crossed generations of reggae fans. Rototom Sunsplash this summer will also welcome the conscious and meditative roots reggae, ‘made in’ New Caledonia of Marcus Gad, who will perform with his band, Tribe, featuring a horn section.
Midnite returns to Rototom, this time led by Ron Benjamin.
Midnite, the band from St. Croix, returns from the Caribbean Virgin Islands, this time led by Ron Benjamin, producer, co-founder and brother of Vaughn, the charismatic leader and voice of Midnite, who passed away in 2019. Ron Benjamin will present in Benicàssim a preview of his next solo album, and a repertoire of Midnite’s classics, best known for of their intense Rastafarian spirituality, to pay tribute to his brother.
Dancehall bursts onto the scene with a bang thanks to the king of the genre: Jamaican Beenie Man, nominated at the last Grammy Awards 2024 with his Simma album. Fyahbwoy, from the national scene, and considered the leading Spanish dancehall artist, joins the line up with his Forward Ever Band.
Rototom confirms the participation of Jamaican Etana, with her eclectic reggae that mixes elements of soul, r’n’b and afrobeats spun by her powerful voice. 
Etana
Hailing from the Caribbean island the festival welcomes the singer and songwriter Naomi Cowan, one of reggae’s rising stars. Daughter of singer Carlene Davis, Cowan played Marcia Griffiths in the biopic about the king of reggae ‘Bob Marley: One Love’, released this year.
the first time ever Rototom Sunsplash jazzes it up with touches of ska thanks to Samuel Blaser Routes – A Tribute to the Music of Don Drummond. A tribute by Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser, embodied in his renowned album ‘Routes’, to the legacy of the legendary Jamaican trombonist, member of the Skatalites (celebrating their 60th anniversary) and composer of many of their songs. This unique show will be performed by the quintet led by Blaser and joined by Cuban violinist Omar Puente, Alex Wilson (keyboards), Colin McNeish (bass), and Kenrick Rowe (drums).
Alongside these new names on the Main Stage and Lion Stage, the line-ups for the other three areas that lively up the long nights of the festival are also complete.
