5. Rototom Sunsplash (Benicassim, Spain), August 18-27
The 10-day-long Rototom Sunsplash festival, held in Italy from 1994 to 2009, last year crossed borders to Beniccasim, a beach town on Spain’s Costa del Azahar, where it will be held once again this year. Slated to take the main stage this year are a grip of old-school legends–Bunny Wailer, Johnny Clarke, Horace Andy, Jimmy Cliff, Ken Boothe, Brigadier Jerry, Maxi Priest, Michael Prophet, Ali Campbell–plus a smattering of contemporary voices like Mr. Vegas, Luciano, Shaggy, Gyptian and Lutan Fyah. The big stage is just one element of this multi-pronged cultural event, which also features smaller stages for up-and-coming and ska acts, a dancehall, a dub tent, photo exhibitions, debates and a series of meetings to discuss “important moments in the history of reggae music.” Heavy.