While some may claim that “Reggae is dead,” another new outdoor festival has emerged in The Hague, The Netherlands, proving the opposite. The first outdoor edition of the Sun Splash Festival in the picturesque Zuiderpark pulled out all the stops to entertain the thousands of attendees eager to see their favorite artists.

The festival was not just about reggae; it also featured two additional stages dedicated to Dancehall and Surinamese music. Moreover, there was the indispensable soundsystem-area and a well-thought-out kids’ zone, plus a Ferris wheel!

My main focus was on the Main Stage, where Aswad kicked off the festivities, followed by the legendary Black Uhuru. Julian Marley and his Uprising band, again, delivered a solid performance. Although Tarrus Riley headlined the festival, it was clear that many attendees were most excited to see the exclusive return of Miguel Collins, better known as Sizzla Kalonji, to European soil after more than 10 years. Capturing his pictures turned out even better with Sizzla performing in daylight. Known to some as “Dada,” Sizzla did not disappoint the crowd. From start to finish, his performance was pure fire. The August Town native made it perfectly clear that he remains one of the greatest live performers in the genre.

From my perspective, this new festival has the potential to grow significantly in the future. If you attended, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Danny Creatah