Reggae fans set to converge on the Bay

Singer Ria Hall is hosting the One Love Festival. Photo/George Novak

With only two weeks until the birthday of Bob Marley, One Love festival organiser Pato Alvarez has one message for festival goers - "don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be alright".

Last year, the festival attracted 8000 people to Tauranga and accommodation in the region was at breaking point, says Mr Alvarez.

This year, he expects the crowd attendance to grow to up to at least 13,000 people and he has made a contingency plan for accommodation, organising Baypark as a venue for campers, with buses taking festivalgoers to and from Wharepai Domain.

He says it's one of the biggest reggae music festivals in the world and last year 900 tickets were sold in Australia, 50 people came from the United States and 100 from the Pacific Islands.

Hosting the festival is Ria Hall and headlining is the mighty J Boog. The Compton, California-raised singer and rapper, who has delivered hits such as Let's Do It Again and Sunshine Girl has topped the US Billboard and iTunes charts in countless countries and has a stack of awards and accolades to his name.

Steel Pulse flies the flag for the old school and the Grammy Award-winners have toured the world for over 35 years, opening for Bob Marley and The Wailers in 1978.

Reggae ambassadors Third World are renowned for their vibrant blend of roots, reggae, pop and soul and also joining the bill is Common Kings who have toured with Justin Timberlake and Fifth Harmony.

Rounding out the strong international bill is reggae-pop's 'man of the moment', Bermudian Collie Buddz; and one of the most recognised Polynesian artists in the world right now, Fiji, with his timeless mix of reggae, hip-hop, R&B and jazz.

"The line-up is crazy, we have the most amazing reggae musicians from all over the world as well as the best in New Zealand.

"I have even managed to get Nesian Mystik back together for the show," says Mr Alvarez.
February 2016 marks the fourth anniversary for the One Love festival, which significantly kicks off on the birthday of the godfather of reggae, Bob Marley (February 6).

This year, One Love is giving back to the community - every ticket sold to the festival will donate $1 to the One Love charitable partner - Homes Of Hope Charitable Trust.

"Homes of Hope is an amazing foundation that ensures our future leaders are given every opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable environment - and we're proud to be working alongside them for One Love 2016!"

the fine print
What: One Love
Where: Wharepai Domain
When: February 6-7.