Cologne, Germany — July 16, 2025
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of World Music Views.
The clouds rolled in and the rain eventually followed, but nothing could dampen the spirit of Summerjam 2025. Over three days in early July, thousands descended on Cologne’s Fühlinger See for one of Europe’s most enduring reggae and dancehall festivals. As weather patterns shifted and crowds huddled under ponchos, one truth rang clear: the heartbeat of live music still belongs to the band.
Let’s begin at the end.
Sunday delivered the most emotionally resonant performances of the weekend. Jamaican singer Mortimer opened with a deeply personal set, culminating in a heartfelt moment as he brought his wife on stage during “Lightning”—the song that launched his international rise and which he wrote in her honor. The vulnerability was rare and refreshing.
Then came Morgan Heritage, now fronted by Jemere Morgan following the death of his uncle, Peetah Morgan. The group walked the line between tribute and evolution, paying homage while confidently embracing a new chapter. Their harmonies, framed by tight instrumental backing, reminded the crowd of reggae’s enduring familial legacy.
The Doctor himself: Beenie Man. Dressed sharply in a tailored black suit, flanked by a precision-tight band, Beenie delivered a set that spanned generations—an exhibition in charisma, control, and connection. From start to finish, his performance reaffirmed why, decades into his career, he remains one of dancehall’s most dynamic live acts.
Saturday, traditionally the festival’s centerpiece, brought anticipation—and a few challenges. Vybz Kartel, newly released from prison and rocking arenas across the US, made his first European appearance in over 20 years at Summerjam, drawing immense excitement. The crowd welcomed him with roars but relying on backing tracks rather than a live band, at times Kartel’s set struggled to fill the wide open-air venue. Technical glitches didn’t help.
However, being the the consummate show man, Vybz Kartel still delivered a high-energy performance dressed in a black Adidas tracksuit with the Trefoil logo.
Starting his set with the reggae track “Thank You Jah,” Kartel kept things classic yet commanding. His dreadlocks were tied back, and he completed the outfit with dark sunglasses, a heavy gold chain, and signature rings, reflecting his larger-than-life presence.
While his vocal confidence continues to grow, and his stage presence is sharpening, the absence of live instrumentation left the performance feeling flat. Still fans were happy to see the Worl Boss in living colors.
In contrast, Shenseea delivered one of the most commanding sets of the weekend. Backed by a full band, she navigated genres and tempos with polished vocals, choreography, and effortless crowd engagement. Her performance made a clear case for the future of festival-ready dancehall. Teejay followed with his own live band, keeping the momentum high. His breakout hit “Drift” prompted a sea of swaying fans—and at one point, the artist jumped into the audience, collapsing the distance between stage and spectator.
Earlier in the weekend, Friday’s openers Etana and Mr. Vegas helped set the tone. Vegas, ever the showman, combined classic hits with dancers and call-and-response theatrics that energized the early crowd.
If there’s a single takeaway from Summerjam 2025, it’s this: live bands still matter—and perhaps more than ever. Particularly in Europe, where festivalgoers expect not just a show, but a soundscape, the presence of a live band remains essential.
This may feel counterintuitive to some in the dancehall world. After all, the genre was born on sound systems, built on riddims and DJs—not guitar solos and live arrangements. But as veteran reggae singer Tarrus Riley recently explained in an interview on Jamaica’s Fame 95FM, the live experience unlocks something deeper.
“I can sing on tracks, I can sing on sound,” Riley said, “but I’ve learned that concert definitely is band vibes and live vibes… It more dan work—it’s extraordinary. It is what the world look for with our artists.”
Summerjam offered a case study in just that. Artists like Beenie Man, Shenseea, Teejay, and Morgan Heritage didn’t just perform—they connected. Their bands weren’t accessories, they were amplifiers: of sound, of energy, of emotion.
Dancehall didn’t stall at Summerjam 2025—but the bands ruled.
