UB40 has been announced as one of the headline acts for One Love 2019. Photo/File
UB40 has been announced as one of the headline acts for One Love 2019. Photo/File
International reggae stars UB40, Ky-Mani Marley and Kolohe Kai will perform in Tauranga as part of One Love 2019.
UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey, Ky-Mani Marley and Kolohe Kai, were revealed to be part of the first line-up announcement for next year's two-day One Love festival this morning,along with festival favourite Fiji, British legend Maxi Priest, US soul singer LaTasha Lee, Katchafire, House of Shem, L.A.B, Aaradhna, Tomorrow People, General Fiyah, Raging Fiyah, Finn Gruva, Jahboy, Paua, Common Unity and Cool Meditation.
Ky-Mani Marley will perform at One Love 2019. Photo / File
The two-day event will be on Auckland Anniversary Weekend - January 26 and 27 - and returns to its home at the Tauranga Domain. In keeping with One Love tradition, the line-up features a range of the best roots, rock and reggae acts from around the world.
Promoter Pato Alvarez is excited about the line-up for the festival, which is now in its fifth year and has established itself in the hearts of reggae fans from around the world.
He said securing UB40 with Campbell had been three years in the making so to finally have them included in the line-up was a major feat.
"We're also proud to bring one of the sons of Bob Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, who will deliver a special set at One Love 2019," Alvarez said.
The second line-up announcement, of two more international headliners and more New Zealand favourites, is due in September. Alvarez said he wouldn't be surprised if the event sold out before then.
He said every artist and band booked for One Love was based on feedback from fans and he could not wait for festival-goers to see what was to come.
"We always try to listen to them and deliver . . . this festival is for the fans of reggae music.
"The Marley family is always on the most-requested list of acts for One Love.
"We're also working on delivering Fiji's biggest live performance . . . he will have a full set-up and production with dancers and more surprises."
He said Katchfire, which had released a new album, Legacy, was always a crowd favourite and despite House of Shem losing founder and New Zealand reggae legend Carl Perkins, of Herbs, to cancer last month, two of his sons, Te Omeka and Isaiah, would perform a tribute set to keep his legacy alive.
"We'll all look forward to honouring Papa Carl at One Love as one of the best in the reggae scene."
• Tickets go on sale at 7pm on June 20 from www.onelovefestival.co.nz. There will be a 24-hour early bird special and camping and glamping tickets will also be available.
