Reggae Geel has unveiled the complete line-up for its Dub Forest stage for the 2026 festival edition. Spread across three festival days — July 30, July 31 and August 1 — the stage will host a powerful mix of UK soundsystem royalty, Jamaican cult legends, deep roots veterans, heavyweight producers and a strong selection of Belgian and European sounds.
The festival itself enters its 48th year in 2026 and continues to position Dub Forest as one of the most defining spaces within the event. Tickets are available through the festival’s official website.
Staying true to its community-driven ethos, Reggae Geel remains accessible to a wide audience. Children and young people under 16 will once again receive free entry in 2026. Special youth tickets are available for visitors aged 16 to 18, while residents from the surrounding area can purchase tickets at a reduced local rate.
Roots institutions and Jamaican icons
Leading the Dub Forest bill is King Earthquake, widely regarded as one of the foundational institutions in UK roots and dub. Founded by Errol Arawak in Birmingham in 1977, the sound remains synonymous with uncompromising roots-and-culture values, heavyweight bass and a foundation approach that has never chased trends.
Word, Sound & Power brings the authority of West London to Geel. The sound has built a reputation for its spiritual focus, sharp selections and deep, heavyweight pressure.
One of the most notable collaborations on the line-up is Dub Shepherds featuring Echo Minott. Minott is one of the defining voices of 1980s Jamaican dancehall, while the Dub Shepherds have built a solid reputation within the European dub scene through their live-and-direct, tape-driven approach powered by analogue sound. Together they bridge Jamaica’s vocal heritage with contemporary roots craftsmanship.
Adding further UK dub pedigree is David Judah, who brings more than four decades of production experience and the long-running Solardub Records catalog to the stage.
Jamaican cult figure Dr. Alimantado will also perform. The singer, deejay and producer remains forever linked to classic works such as Best Dressed Chicken in Town, a cornerstone album in reggae history.
Another standout name is Nadine Sutherland, a celebrated reggae artist with a remarkable personal legacy. She was the first artist ever signed to Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong label and later became one of the most recognizable female voices in dancehall.
European dub power and new voices
UK producer Gussie P, founder of Sip A Cup Records, also joins the program. Through decades of influential productions he has helped shape the deeper spectrum of British dub.
France’s Power Dread represents the handcrafted roots and dub tradition with a warm, militant and vintage-powered sound. From the UK, Vixen Sound brings another kind of energy: one of the most exciting selector voices in the contemporary scene, with international bookings and Scotland’s first fully female-powered soundsystem to her name.
Belgian sound Chalice Sound arrives with nearly three decades of soundsystem dedication rooted in Jamaican and British roots session traditions. Reemshot adds a younger French voice to the line-up, bringing spiritual focus and a clear love for conscious roots and dub. Meanwhile Blackbird Sound will celebrate its tenth anniversary at Europe’s oldest reggae festival.
Another notable collaboration comes from Rejoice Studio featuring Haroon Ayyaz. Rejoice has steadily developed a spiritual reggae identity through sound system, studio and label work, while Haroon Ayyaz has become a recognized roots and dub voice across the European scene.
Host sounds and soundsystem backbone
The stage’s host sounds round out the program. Waga Waga featuring King Samir, Jacky Roots & Ras Leo, Kingstep Soundsystem featuring Rueben Gondor, and Youth & Truth featuring African Simba provide the backbone every authentic soundsystem stage requires.
A community festival for everyone
Reggae Geel will expand to three full festival days in 2026. Despite that growth, the organizers emphasize that the core ambition remains unchanged: keeping the festival open, welcoming and affordable.
For decades, Reggae Geel has attracted visitors from across Europe thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, its multi-stage identity and its unique setting in the local woodland. Dr. Alimantado once described the event as “the most Jamaican thing outside of Jamaica.”
Each year around 40,000 visitors return, drawn not only by the artists but also by the distinctive mix of community spirit, openness and atmosphere.
More announcements coming soon
With the Dub Forest program now finalized — and the first artists such as Super Cat, Patoranking, Queen Omega, Anthony B and Tourist LeMC already announced earlier this year — the festival promises more additions soon. The full festival line-up will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Practical information
Reggae Geel
Thursday July 30, Friday July 31 and Saturday August 1, 2026
Festival grounds at Malosewaver, Geel, Belgium
Information and tickets: www.reggaegeel.com
