The Wailers

The Wailers bring the heartbeat of Jamaican reggae to Mandela Hall in Belfast on 19 August 2026. Formed in Trench Town in the early 60s, the group cut its teeth in ska and rocksteady before slowing the tempo and tightening those close harmonies that would carry reggae far beyond Kingston. From the Studio One era through sessions with Lee “Scratch” Perry and the Island years, they defined a sound built on deep basslines, clipped guitar, unhurried drums and voices in close conversation.

On stage today, The Wailers carry that lineage with a rhythm-first approach shaped by the Barrett school and a vocal blend that nods to the original trio. The set moves between early uptempo cuts and the spacious grooves of the 70s, keeping the focus on feel, melody and shared pulse. It’s a live tour of the catalogue that linked ska, rocksteady and roots reggae, played with attention to detail and a clear respect for the foundations. Belfast gets a night anchored in the songs and the groove, from tightly stacked harmonies to the steady one-drop that turns a crowd into a single sway.