A mass line-up of stars – some old, some new and some in-between – lit up yet another hugely successful Simmer Down Festival, as the likes of Misty In Roots, Dennis Lloyd, Pulse Beat, Nash + Abel, Lekan Babalola’s Sacred Funk Project featuring R T Kal and the Handsworth Community Choir made this arguably the best there ever was.

And, for the organizers to get the legendary reggae band that is Inner Circle to headline what was a truly inter-cultural programme features internationally acclaimed artists alongside the very best in homegrown talent - a day to remember for the thousands who turned up, it proved to be the coup of all coups for all concerned.

Covering some 50-years of magical hits, known the world over, present band members including; Ian Lewis, Roger Lewis, Bernard ‘Touter’ Harvey, Lancelot Hall and Trevor ‘Skatta’ Bonnick made for a memorable day with so many there already making plans for next year.

Massive respect must be given to the Parks and Events team from Birmingham City Council, and especially Garry Peal, “The Adopted Jamaican” – a name given to him by The Phoenix Newspaper following the hard work and effort he put in around bringing the Jamaican Track and Field team to Birmingham, and also his work surrounding Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

Garry was a visible and visibly loved figure at Simmer Down, as well as at Big Johns Mela on the same day, and is actively involved with events from all communities and all backgrounds on a regular basis. Simmer Down was no exception and the work of the Council support team was evident in the safe and smooth running of the day.

Simmer Down; sponsored by locally-based Crucial Sauce, is the festival which celebrates Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity by paying tribute to the centrality of reggae and other musical genres that have contributed to the city as one of international culture and real diversity. And it, again, proved it ‘all hands down,’ with some of the leading dignitaries present highlighting the impotence of its relevance - on Britain’s second city events calendar and its contribution to making Birmingham such a vibrant and ‘must-visit’ venue.

 

Check out the full feature in the September edition of The Phoenix Newspaper.