The 30th edition of Rototom Sunsplash will close this Saturday, August 23rd, in style, with a powerful performance from Tiken Jah Fakoly, one of the most viral and influential activist voices in African reggae. The Ivorian artist celebrates the roots profile of this 2025 lineup through his combative and activist lyrics, which he uses to address issues such as migration, racism, African identity in Europe, and political corruption, without compromise. This lineup has encapsulated and projected messages of peace, unity, and kinship that have contributed to nurturing the motto of this milestone anniversary; “Celebrating Life”.
In terms of reggae roots, Meditations will offer a highly anticipated show; the first performance of the Jamaican band in Spain since the arrival of Rototom Sunsplash at its current location in Benicàssim, in 2010.
In a switch up of style, the Main Stage will host the show “Dub Side Of The Moon”, with dub versions of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon album, which will be played out by the American musical collective Easy Star All-Stars on their only date in Spain.
Vandal, the co-founder of British sound system Kaotik, will bring his unmistakable raggatek sounds to the Lion Stage; a hardcore-jungle-reggae style which constantly evolves. The stage will also welcome the French soul-reggae duo Mystically and the unique and revolutionary sound of the Argentinian artist Sofía Gabanna.
The Basque ska-rock band ETS (En Tol Sarmiento), a project that is steadily growing in popularity by blending genres and high-voltage shows, will also jump on stage to replicate its unique festive and heartfelt experience that is sure to get the crowd dancing. A true celebration of life for this “Celebrating Life” edition.
The closing session of the Reggae University will also be memorable, with the talk “Mark My Word” featuring the queen of reggae, Marcia Griffiths, another renowned veteran whose career spans six decades. She was a close friend of Bob Marley and is a star in her own right, with countless hits in ska, rock steady, reggae, and dancehall. The story of Marcia Griffiths will be revealed in conversation with an expanded panel at Reggae University, which will include the incorporation of the British music journalist John Masouri.
Art and planetary gastronomy will continue to go hand in hand on this final day. The Social Art Gallery, where the 14 works were created live over the last week, this year focusing on the motto “Celebrating Life”, shine in all their splendor in the festival’s open-air gallery, in the heart of the venue. The proceeds obtained from their sale will go to support social projects.
Worldwide flavour will continue to delight palates in the festival’s extensive restaurant area, with more than thirty stands. Jamaican patties or ackee and saltfish – the island’s national dish – coexist with Ethiopian injeras and other proposals from African gastronomy such as thiebouyap (a Senegalese red rice with beef) or chargrilled dibi (lamb or chicken with ripe plantain and mustard), or with Lima -style chicken bao bread, corn in various forms, crepes and wood-fired pizzas.
The curtain will close on the cultural areas of the festival on this final day, following eight unstoppable days of activity. The batucada will make its way around the whole festival area to welcome in the last shows of 2025; the finishing touches of thirty years of good vibes and lots of life at Rototom Sunspash.
