Simmer Down Festival returns, all sizzling for the Summer!

The biggest free reggae festival in the UK will be playing some of the coolest music for a laid-back hot summer afternoon in Birmingham this weekend.

Founded in 2009, the Simmer Down Festival returns to the beautiful setting of Handsworth Park on Sunday, for a day of live music, art activities and food experiences for the multi-cultural community of Handsworth and beyond.

Celebrating Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity and the city’s unique reggae legacy, the festival offers fun for all the family including an impressive line-up of international, national and local artists; as well as arts workshops, participation activities, a children and young people’s meadow area, craft stalls, a belly-busting range of food stalls, and a licensed bar area!

Mukhtar Dar, Simmer Down Festival Director, said:

“We’re delighted to have the legendary Jamaican Grammy-winning winning Inner Circle headline this year’s festival as part of their 50th anniversary celebration in the music industry.

“We have a fantastic line-up which includes one of the UK’s finest reggae groups Misty In Roots and the ‘High Priest of Reggae’ himself, Iqulah Rastafari; plus many of Birmingham’s finest artists, musicians and DJs across two stages and arts workshops and activities organised and presented by our partners.”

Jesse Gerald, Chair of Simmer Down CIC, said “This year’s festival once again is sponsored by Crucials Sauces whose backing reflects their pride in their roots and values. We are also delighted to be working with Prostate Cancer UK to spread their important message to men across our communities.”

The Simmer Down main stage has many acts yet to be announced, but here’s some amazing artists to watch out for:

Crucial Stage (main stage) line-up for 2018:

• Inner Circle
• Iqulah Rastafari
• Misty in Roots
• JB – Capital Letters
• Pulse Beat
• Rhythms Del Toro
• Hyper Hype
• Lekan Babalola’s Sacred Funk Project (featuring Rtkal and Handsworth Community Choir)
• Tony Roots
• Ranking

Simmer Down Festival, sponsored by Arts Council England, was formed as a unique partnership involving the city’s leading arts organisations, community groups, schools, colleges and local businesses. The wide ranging partners contribute their vast experience, expertise and knowledge in planning and delivering the event and ensuing that it is a safe and positive experience for both the local residents and out of city visitors.

Simmer Down Festival takes place on Sunday 12th August at Handsworth Park in Birmingham.
For more information about the FREE event, visit: www.simmerdownfestival.com, and the event’s Facebook page here.