Considering its humble origins there are few labels that can boast such an impressive roster of artists and a musical output as varied as Island. As the label moves into its fiftieth year it will be marking the event with a host of celebrations including a week long festival by artists from the label (past and present) at The Shepherds Bush Empire, all the proceeds from the shows will go to Amnesty International and The Oracabessa Foundation in Jamaica.
There will also be a series of television and radio documentaries to mark the occasion as well as a book edited by Chris Salewicz (author of the recent Joe Strumer bio Redemption Song) as well as releases covering the Reggae Explosion, Jimi Hendrix and of course Bob Marley.
Additionally there will be an Island 50 film festival with label related films such as ‘The Harder They Come’ and ‘Bob Marley – Live At The Lyceum’ as well an exhibition of photos, artwork and memoribilia which will be touring round the country throughout the year.
Here’s the itinerary for the live shows :
26th May – SLY & ROBBIE & THE COMPASS POINT ALLSTARS featuring GRACE JONES, ASWAD, THE I-THREES, TINCHY STRYDER, VV BROWN;
27th May – THE FRATELLIS; STEEL PULSE; BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB;
28th May – CAT STEVENS/YUSUF; BAABA MAAL
29th May – PAUL WELLER; SPOOKY TOOTH; ERNEST RANGLIN
30th May – KEANE; TOM TOM CLUB; LADYHAWKE
31st May – AMY WINEHOUSE; TOOTS & THE MAYTALS; I BLAME COCO
Tickets are available from the link below.
