Raggamuffin 2014. Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
Held annually in New Zealand since 2008 Raggamuffin heads to Auckland for the first time on December 13.
After seven years in Rotorua, the event has found a new home in Auckland to be closer to its strong fanbase.
Headliners will include British reggae royalty UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey Virtue, Jamaican reggae revolutionist Chronixx and iconic hip-hop legends Ice Cube and Cypress Hill.
The one-day event will now feature two stages - one reggae, and one urban - with acts also set to include leading Pacific reggae artist Fiji and Jamaican queen Etana.
VIP tickets to the event at Trusts Stadium in Henderson have already sold out.
Other top-shelf Kiwi acts include Katchafire, House of Shem, Che Fu & The Kratez, Sons of Zion, Aaradhna with full band, P-Money, Sammy Johnson featuring Brownhill and Tomorrow People.
Leading the reggae stage for Raggamuffin VIII will be a freshly reformed UB40. The three founding members - Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue - have reunited to bring fans the true sound of one of reggae's biggest acts, and will play new music alongside all-time favourites such as 'Red Red Wine'
Ranked one of the world's top MCs, hip-hop heavyweight Ice Cube (C.I.A, N.W.A) is a fitting headliner for the Urban Stage and leader for the festival's new direction with his distinctively honest style of rap, prolific and often political lyrics.
Here are some of the highlights from last year's event:
Image 1 of 41: Raggamuffin. PHOTO: BEN FRASER
Raggamuffin VIII will also feature a vibrant village market area, with entertainment curated by reggae/dancehall sound system JAfA MAfiA Crew + guests including Silva, Jah Red Lion, Israel Starr and MC Hlats.
Partnering with Y for YOUTH, a local charity who provide vital assistance to a range of New Zealand youth organisations, Raggamuffin Music Festival will once again raise funds to help support their work through the donation of a portion of all tickets sold.
Raggamuffin Music Festival VIII takes place on Saturday 13 December at The Trusts Arena, Auckland.
General admission tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster by phoning 0800 111 999 or online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz