RISE Reggae Festival is turning up the heat in Montreal
Posted August 8, 2025 3:14 pm.
Last Updated August 11, 2025 9:39 am.
RISE Reggae Festival is turning up the heat at the Peel Basin with Caribbean rhythms until Aug.10.
Montrealers can dive into the rhythms of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca – performed by top international artists and full live bands.
“A lot of spice, a lot of fun, a lot of dancing. I love to get the crowd engaged because I know their energy feeds me and my energy will feed them right back, and it’s a party,” said Montreal-based artist Sereni-T, ahead of her performance on Friday.
“We have a large Caribbean diaspora here and usually they have the idea of going to the Caribbean to experience reggae, to experience soca and some of these top artists that you will see in different carnivals. They are going to be here in Montreal for the first time for the first RISE reggae festival,” said the consultant producer of the event, De Carla Applewhaite.
RISE festival began three years ago in Barbados and has since held events in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It now makes its Montreal debut, featuring artists from reggae-influenced genres, including Gramps Morgan.
“It’s been a dream of mine to show how big country music is in the Caribbean and outside of the United States and North America. So it’s interesting to hear the Gramps Morgan and show now and really hear the mixture of country and reggae. So I’m interested to see everybody tomorrow night come and see the vibes, come and feel the energy. It’s going to be the Gramps Morgan experience,” said the American-Jamaican artist.
Each evening spotlights special performances by Quebec and Canadian artists, like Montreal-based artist Sereni-T.
“It’s a whole blessing because it’s like I look up to the Marco, Sister Nancy, who will be here. It’s amazing! Like she’s a pioneer in the reggae community. She’s like the godmother of Dancehall, you know what I mean? So it’s like a really humbling feeling, and it also shows me that hard work pays off. You keep grinding, you keep doing what you have to do, and you will get to where you need to be,” added Sereni-T.
The event is co-presented by Taste of the Caribbean and Nouvelle Vie, in co-production with the Mahaba Youth Alliance.
“Nouvelle Vie means new life. So we’re pleased to bring new life to entertainment throughout the world and of course to wave the flag high for the Caribbean here in Montreal,” added De Carla.
