The third annual High Priest Reggae Festival made a strong and confident debut at Brampton’s Rose Theatre on Saturday, December 20, reaffirming its place as a growing staple on Canada’s reggae and dancehall calendar. Despite the cold winter night, the audience arrived energized and ready for an evening of top-tier performances, guided seamlessly by hosts Danae Peart and Linky Links, whose blend of humor and professionalism kept the night flowing effortlessly.
The festival officially got underway at 8:45 p.m., setting the tone for what would be a tightly programmed and highly engaging show. Canada’s premier all-female reggae band, Rayzalution, opened the night with a spirited set that immediately charged the atmosphere. Their confident musicianship and commanding stage presence warmed up the crowd and signaled that this would be a night of substance as well as celebration.
The award-winning band presented a polished performance packed with fan favorites alongside originals such as ‘Hold a Vibez’ and ‘Rayze Up’ from their debut album ‘Rayze Up.’ Their set maintained strong momentum, blending familiarity with fresh material that resonated well with the audience.
Rayzalution returned for an encore that proved to be one of the early highlights of the evening. With the crowd dancing and singing along to staples like ‘World a Reggae Music’ and ‘Welcome to Jamrock,’ the band reinforced their reputation as a powerhouse live act and a vital force within Canada’s reggae scene.
One of the night’s standout moments came with the entrance of two-time JUNO Award winner Kairo McLean. Dressed in a cowboy outfit and opening with his original ‘Knight Rider,’ McLean captivated the audience from the first note. Backed by the High Priest Band and two female backup singers, his performance was interactive, vibrant, and remarkably assured. For an artist just 16 years old, McLean demonstrated maturity, charisma, and star potential well beyond his years, drawing unified calls for an encore and confirming that he is ready for much larger stages.
Dancehall veteran Eyesus delivered a high-impact performance that reminded audiences why he has long been regarded as one of Canada’s top dancehall DJs. While his set was unfortunately brief, it was more than enough to heighten anticipation and underscore the depth of talent on display throughout the night.
Brampton native and Walk of Fame inductee Tanya Mullings brought a sense of reverence and nostalgia to the stage, paying tribute to reggae icons Garnett Silk and the recently departed Jimmy Cliff. After a long absence from the spotlight, Mullings’ return was warmly received and marked by a strong, heartfelt performance.
The festival reached a powerful crescendo with six-time JUNO Award winner and Brampton Walk of Fame inductee Exco Levi. Backed by his High Priest Band—his longtime collaborators—Exco delivered a high-energy, tightly executed set that showcased undeniable chemistry and precision. Opening with ‘Jah Nah Sleep,’ he moved effortlessly through crowd favorites such as ‘Take It Easy,’ ‘Born to Be Free,’ and ‘Wah Gwaan,’ before diving into dancehall classics including ‘Bam Bam’ and ‘Murder She Wrote.’ His tribute to Bob Marley, featuring stirring renditions of ‘Concrete Jungle,’ ‘Curfew,’ ‘Zimbabwe,’ ‘Trench Town Rock,’ ‘Natty Dread,’ and ‘I Shot the Sheriff,’ was both respectful and electrifying, bringing the festival to a fitting close.
In terms of performance quality, production, and audience engagement, the High Priest Reggae Festival was an undeniable success. The event not only highlighted the immense talent within Canada’s reggae and dancehall community but also reinforced the need for greater collective support to propel these artists to the next level nationally and internationally.
With Episode 4 already slated for next year, the High Priest Reggae Festival continues to build momentum. For those who attended, it was a night to remember; for those who missed it, the message is clear—this is a festival quickly becoming a must-attend celebration of Canadian reggae excellence.
