Where to Get Weekly Live Music in Kingston

Kingston, Jamaica, is a vibrant city known for its rich culture, art scene, reggae music, and pulsating rhythms. If you’re a reggae music enthusiast looking for an authentic live music experience, you’re in for a treat. Kingston is home to a plethora of venues which cater to roots reggae lovers, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to immerse themselves in the island’s rhythmic beats. In today’s post, we’ll explore three live music venues in Kingston where you can groove to the infectious beats and sounds which make Jamaica’s music scene so iconic. These venues host weekly events which make up Kingston’s music calendar.

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1. Dubwise Café

Located behind the Kaya Herb House on Lady Musgrave Road in New Kingston, St. Andrew lies the Dubwise Café. The Dubwise Café combines ital food, reggae music and funky décor to create an eclectic atmosphere where one can taste and touch the reggae movement. Open seven days a week, the afternoons are filled with the young, hip and health conscious crowd who come to enjoy delicious bites like Dubwise’s Tafari Bowl and black bean loaded fries. At nights, Dubwise comes alive as a music venue where both established and up-and-coming artistes come out to mix, mingle and showcase their talent in front of a lively crowd. Dubwise showcases the present and future of reggae.

What I enjoy most about Dubwise is how immersive and supportive it feels. It feels like a gathering of friends, as you’re often close enough to touch the singers and the band. A moment which will stand out in my mind forever is that of an aspiring young singer who went on stage and got crippling stage fright. She wanted to perform a Lila Ike song, but no matter how much the crowd kept clapping and cheering her on, she couldn’t overcome her fears that night. There were no boos though, just love and support. In fact, Lila Ike was in attendance and went on stage to sing alongside her before taking over the stage to perform her best hits. She also shared her own personal struggles with anxiety and how she overcame them. Dubwise played a formative part of her career, and it’s clear that she hasn’t forgotten her humility nor roots on the path to success.

Check out Rub-A-Dub Tuesdayz and Akwaaba Fridays, and look out for pop-up events and celeb appearances on their Instagram page. Admission is free but a contribution is always appreciated.

2. Kingston Dub Club

Located at 7B Skyline Drive in uptown Jack’s Hill lies the Kingston Dub Club, a music venue which is firmly rooted on Kingston’s music calendar. Kingston Dub Club offers a unique experience for fans of reggae and dub music as every Sunday night, the venue comes alive with live roots reggae and dub set against the delightful backdrop of Kingston’s skyline. Dub Club’s open-air setting adds to its allure, creating an atmosphere that transports you to the heart of Jamaica’s reggae roots. Whether you’re a seasoned reggae aficionado or simply curious about the genre, Dub Club is a must-visit destination for an authentic musical experience. I still have KDC on my list, but I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. Admission is now $1500JM pp.

3. 22 Jerk Restaurant

Another live music venue on my list is the 22 Jerk Restaurant. Located at 22 Barbican Road in Liguanea, 22 Jerk Restaurant is transformed into a roots reggae music venue every Thursday night. Roots reggae is a genre of music that emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960s and early 1970s, becoming a significant cultural and musical movement. It is characterized by its powerful and conscious lyrics, uplifting messages, and distinctive musical style.

Roots reggae evolved from earlier forms of Jamaican music, particularly ska and rocksteady. Roots reggae is known for its distinctive sound, which typically features a slow to mid-tempo rhythm with a heavy emphasis on the off-beat. The rhythm section, consisting of drums, bass, and guitar, forms the backbone of the music, creating a solid and hypnotic groove. The music often incorporates elements of traditional African and Caribbean rhythms, as well as influences from other genres such as jazz and soul. If this kind of music is your thing, you’ll be in for a treat on Thursdays with The Jam Is Back, Kingston’s live music collective which takes centerstage at 22 Jerk on Thursdays from 7 – 11pm. Admission is free.

Wrap Up

Well, there you have it. Three weekly venues for live music in Kingston in case you can’t wait on these annual Jamaican music festivals. Let’s discover city Kingston with great music as our guide. Have you visited any of these places before, or would you add any to your list? Did I leave out any other live music venues in Kingston? Share them with me + other readers in the comments section below.

If you liked this article, you may also enjoy:

• Ten things to do at Devon House besides eating ice cream.
• Where to get the best brunch in the city
• The best of Kingston’s art scene.

‘Til next time.

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