Benicasim I Tuesday, 18 August 2026.- Following a first night marked by the roots reggae of Alpha Blondy and Luciano and a second festival day devoted to the dancehall revolution of Major Lazer, Rototom Sunsplash faces this Wednesday 19 August, the third day of its 31st edition, widening even further the map of sounds, cultures and perspectives that come together in Benicasim. Fusion will be one of the great connecting threads of a festival day that links Jamaican tradition with contemporary creation and the Spanish scene, without setting aside the social dimension that is part of the festival’s identity.
On the Sun Stage, the old school will be masterfully represented by iconic Jamaican roots formations such as The Itals & The Roots Radics, whose presence will be another nod to the island’s musical memory and to that bond with the tradition that Rototom keeps alive, while opening its stages to new generations and languages. The stage will also welcome another of this edition’s most anticipated names, Dub Inc. A European benchmark of contemporary reggae, consolidated over decades as one of the formations capable of connecting Jamaican tradition with a musical vision of their own that is open to the world. Hailing from Saint-Étienne, they have perfected an explosive mix of reggae, dancehall, dub and Berber music, reflecting the cultural diversity of their roots. They burst onto the festival with a powerful live show that has earned them the respect of Jamaican and global audiences.
However, if there is one performance set to embody the eclectic spirit of this Wednesday, that is G-5. The superband formed by Kiko Veneno, Muchachito, El Canijo de Jerez, Diego ‘Ratón’ and Tomasito will bring to the festival a blend of rumba, flamenco, rock and street music that perfectly represents the fusion spirit of this festival day. A high-voltage proposal with which Rototom once again champions the richness of the Spanish scene and its capacity to dialogue with reggae culture and diverse audiences.
That meeting ground will expand with another Spanish proposal, Eskorzo, one of the fundamental bands from the Granada’s fusion scene, who will bring to Benicasim their particular cocktail of cumbia, reggae, ska and afrobeat.
A tribute to the master of dub
The connection with Jamaica’s history will also have a particularly moving stop at the Lion Stage, which will open the festival day with a tribute to Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, a pivotal figure in the construction of dub and one of the most revolutionary producers in Jamaican music. His son Omar Perry will arrive at Rototom accompanied by the French band Easy Riddim Maker to pay tribute to his artistic legacy.
The presence of Omar Perry will also continue at the Reggae University, where he will participate in the session ‘Remembering Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’, another of the festival’s spaces dedicated to preserving memory, sharing knowledge and delving deeper into the stories that have built reggae culture.
From music to defending Pachamama
Beyond the stages, Wednesday presents another of its major gatherings at the Social Forum, at 5:00 PM, with the session ‘Defending Pachamama: a global and collective challenge’. Climate emergency will be addressed from a cross-cutting perspective that places social justice, survival and human rights at the centre, connecting the ecofeminist experience and thought, with the drive of new generations.
The dialogue in online format will feature the participation of Vandana Shiva, Indian physicist, philosopher and writer, a global reference in ecology and ecofeminism and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award in 1993. Joining her will be young Colombian activist Francisco Vera, founder of the Guardians for Life movement. Journalist María José Parejo, director of El Bosque Habitado on Radio 3, will lead this intergenerational gathering.
A festival to savour and get lost in too
The Rototom experience does not end in front of the stages. Its open-air restaurant brings together 25 proposals this year to savour the world, in a gastronomic journey that incorporates new Japanese and Indian cuisine, more hemp and gluten-free craft beer options, coffees from different corners of the planet and matcha tea. Senegal, Jamaica, Italy, Argentina and Mexico coexist in this particular culinary journey with pizzas, grills, burritos, corn-based dishes, crepes, artisan ice creams, Arab sweets and a wide range of vegan and gluten-free dishes.
And for those who enjoy discovering unique objects, flavours and creations, the market unfolds 42 one-of-a-kind stalls. Crafts and accessories, hand-worked leather, natural cosmetics, aromatherapy and incense share space with healthy food proposals—such as organic dehydrated fruit and vegan sweets—illustration, photography and creative notebooks. Among this edition’s new additions are also anime figures and pins, hand-painted and customized caps and an author fashion proposal that includes African bespoke tailoring.
