Yellowman & The Upper Cut

Yellowman, born Winston Foster in Kingston, stands as a pioneer of reggae and the first wave of dancehall. Breaking through the sound system circuit in the early 1980s, he forged a direct, syncopated style and a razor-sharp flow that carried both social commentary and cheeky bravado. Embracing his albinism in a scene that wasn’t always kind, he turned difference into drive. Tracks like Zungguzungguguzungguzeng made him a fixture of the genre, while albums from the same era cemented a voice as playful as it was pointed. After overcoming cancer in the 1980s, he kept moving, recording and touring across decades without losing the bite of his delivery.

On 9 July 2026, Yellowman & The Upper Cut take over Band on the Wall in Manchester. Expect tight, bouncing riddims built for rub-a-dub, call-and-response toasting and that unmistakable phrasing that flips between wit, streetwise boasts and moments of reflection. The set draws from a deep catalogue, revisiting foundational dancehall while leaning into the energy of a live band. A rare chance to catch a cornerstone of Jamaican music, still pushing his craft on stage with the ease of long miles and the spark that put him there in the first place.