The Rototom Sunsplash festival will experience a moment of great symbolism, emotional value and cultural relevance this thursday, in the final stretch of its 30th anniversary, by uniting the shows of Koffee (11:30 p.m.) and Marcia Griffiths (8:30 p.m.). Both in the same evening, these two artists connect two generations of Jamaican reggae.

Koffee represents the new wave of the scene. Young, innovative and a Grammy winner, she has a great international projection with a contemporary reggae that incorporates elements of dancehall, hip hop and R&B, shaping a very fresh and modern personal style.

Marcia Griffiths is an institution and an inspiration in the reggae scene. She was a key member of The I-Threes, who toured with The Wailers, Bob Marley’s band. She is a legend in the history of the genre, who revives the essence of roots reggae in each show, as one of the great pioneers.

In an anniversary edition, this thursday, 21st August, the line-up celebrates the 50-year career of one of the most famous reggae bands in the United Kingdom, Steel Pulse, which will invite the audience to an immersive experience provided by their vindictive lyrics and a show that deviates from classic linear formats. Five decades later and still in top form, Steel Pulse promises another authentic show in Benicàssim.

The Tribal Seeds band will complete the evening on the Main Stage. Originally from San Diego, they have stood out in the modern reggae roots movement, fusing traditional rhythms with influences from rock, hip-hop and Latin music.

From Pure Negga Reggae Cypher to the 20-year career of Emeterians
Among the proposals presented by the Lion Stage,we will be introduced to the Pure Negga Reggae Cypher project, which has accumulated millions of views on YouTube thanks to its dynamic and choral format starring together with the Catalan artist, special guests such as Fyahbwoy, Green Valley, Little Pepe, Chusterfield, King Magneto, Rick Rocket and King Reyes, in rapid relays on stage. Also on this stage will emerge the celebration of the 20-year career of the Madrid-based Emeterians, surrounded by special guests.

The Dance Hall area will vibrate with its own name: Kybba. The Italian producer, composer and DJ, with more than 100 million plays on digital platforms, hits like “Pon Di Ting”, “Pilot” and “Ba Ba Bad”, together with collaborations with international artists such as Sean Paul or Busy Signal, he is conquering stages around the world thanks to his vibrant and global style.

The producer, musician and promoter of the renowned Spanish label Lone Ark Records, Roberto Sánchez, will be one of the prominent names of the Dub Academy.

“Celebrating life, defending Palestine”: the closing of the 2025 Social Forum
“Celebrating life, defending Palestine” will close the 2025 Social Forum this thursday, 21st August. A dialogue for peace, dignity, justice and human rights for the Palestinian people. A challenge to which two committed voices will join: those of Raquel Martí, executive director of UNRWA Spain and the journalist Fernando “Gonzo” González.

Beyond analyzing the conflict, their interventions will be an invitation to hope and a commitment to empower the word and empathy as a bridge and path to peace, amidst the noise of war and misinformation.

Raquel Martí will bring to the public gathered at the Teatre Municipal de Benicàssim a direct and close vision of the reality experienced by Palestinian refugees, surrounded by data, testimonies, and reflections on the current situation and the role of the international community in defending the rights of the Palestinian people. The journalist from La Sexta will add to the session his experience in covering international conflicts such as the one that plagues Palestine and his critical approach from social journalism, avoiding simplified narratives and contributing to making visible human stories that are often silenced.

With this last debate at the Social Forum Rototom Sunsplash closes an edition that has promoted different actions to support the Palestinian people, such as the “Move 4 Gaza” project to support cultural groups that resist in the Strip, or the campaign of contributions to raise funding for the hospital that the Human Call organization manages in the Palestinian refugee camp Ein El Hilweh, in Lebanon.

Precisely this thursday, Pachamama will host at 7:00 p.m. another of the actions that integrate the “Move 4 Gaza” project. A Dabkeh workshop, a traditional Palestinian dance, taught by the dancers Mohamed Ja Abu, Fatmah Rajhess and Myriam Soler, members of the group of Palestinian folk dances in Spain, Watani. Through Dabke, the aim is to raise awareness about the reality of the Palestinian people and show how dance, music and traditions become forms of peaceful resistance that preserve memory and collective identity against apartheid, occupation, and war.

In addition, in the No Profit area, a solidarity market with Gaza is installed. A space with artisan products and workshops to inform at the same time about various projects that work for Palestine. This market brings to the festival the kufiyas, socks from “Socks with a cause”, earrings from “Watermelons4Ibrahim”, t-shirts or posters and illustrations from “Flyers for Falestine”.

The Social Art Gallery is now completely finished, projecting art in the heart of the concert venue. The 14 artists selected in this edition have shared during this week with the public their artistic creation process around the common theme of “Celebrating Life”. All pieces of work are for sale for social purposes.

The journalist Lucía Mbomio presents “Tierra de luz” in Jamkuda
The extramusical activity of the day will return to Jamkunda, with the presentation of the book “Tierra de luz”, with the journalist and writer Lucía Mbomio and the artist and activist Ken Province. A debate on identity, colonial memory, cultural resistance, literature, art and activism, between two essential voices. Mbomio and Province come together to explore the central themes of this work: from silenced African heritages to current decolonial movements in Spain.

Science continues to make its way in the Discovery Lab, which within its programme for this thursday includes a workshop with The Big Bang Collective to teach how to manufacture with a soldering iron your own solar charger for your mobile from scratch. giving tips on the science of solar energy. Places are limited and tickets must be collected in the area, half an hour before the activity, which will start at 5:30 p.m.