The Abyssinians & Big Youth am 27.05.2026 in Dortmund @ Junkyard

In the organizer's words:

The Abyssinians & Big Youth on 27.05.2026 in Dortmund @ Junkyard

Roots & Culture Part 5 on big European tour. With the Jamaican reggae legends The Abyssinians and Big Youth...make it a date!

The Abyssinians are considered one of the most important and spiritual roots reggae groups that Jamaica has ever produced. Founded in the late 1960s by Bernard Collins and Donald Manning, who were later joined by Linford Manning (Donald's brother), they defined the sound of "roots" with their unique harmonies, profound Rasta themes and hypnotic melodies. Their first big success was the song "Satta Massagana", which quickly became an unofficial reggae anthem and whose title comes from the Ethiopian Amharic language and means "give thanks and praise". After several line-up changes and a break in the 1980s, The Abyssinians returned with Bernard Collins as frontman and celebrated reunions. Decades after their first recordings, Abyssinians concerts are still considered a rare opportunity to experience the true essence of roots reggae live.

Big Youth is one of the most influential and charismatic reggae artists to emerge from the Jamaican music scene of the 1970s. As a pioneer of "toasting" (chanting over dub versions), he was instrumental in paving the way for the development of modern dancehall and hip-hop. His album Dread Locks Dread (1975) is considered a milestone of roots reggae and toasting style. Together with producers such as Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, he created masterpieces that combined raw dub rhythms with his unmistakable, rhythmic chanting.