Chant Down presents More Fire

Set times for More Fire 23rd birthday bashment tonight:

9:00 pm - Ras Crucial
9:40 pm - Joe Dubs
10:20 pm - Sista Itations
11:00 pm - Long Beach
11:40 pm - Chant Down (w Quashani Bahd & Shottaz)
1:45 am - Troublemekka
2:30 am - Jesse I

Melbourne has some amazing hand-built reggae soundsystems, custom made for reggae music, but there is a special place in my heart for Solidarity Sound System, the realest of the real. Solidarity has been a key part of More Fire since 2018, and we are stoked to have them providing sound once again for the More Fire 23rd birthday bashment. Expect big rolling basslines, warm rich mids, and clean crisp highs - reggae and dancehall music as it is meant to be heard🔥

Meena Troublemekka is almost like an unofficial third member of Chant Down. She's been there for over 20 years of More Fire through the highs and lows, she was present when countless sets and parties were planned, and she was in the studio when many of our dubplates were voiced. But she is an incredible dancehall and reggae DJ in her own right. Few in this country can match her knowledge of dancehall, especially when it comes to the contemporary. She deals with music in the same way that she deals with most things in life - with a burning passion and fierce determination. Troublemekka has played at every More Fire anniversary since 2005, and the More Fire 23rd birthday bashment wouldn't be complete without her on the lineup. 🔥

The songstress. Born in Zimbabwe, Quashani Bahd has called Melbourne home for over two decades now, and over that time there are very few reggae-related parties she has not performed at. Her vocals combine sweet soul with dancehall style, and it's always a pleasure to have her bless the stage at More Fire. 🔥

Even if you've only had a passing connection to the Melbourne reggae/dancehall scene over the last couple decades, you should know Sista Itations. Her Pressure Drop parties upstairs at Laundry Bar were some of the best that this city has ever seen, and her sets there always had the place jumping. Although she is renowned for her 90s dancehall sets, her knowledge of Jamaican music spans decades, and she can bring the vibes to any party. She's been a part of the More Fire family since the start, and it's a pleasure to welcome her back to the stage for the More Fire 23rd birthday bashment on April 13.

There are few people in the Melbourne music scene who I have more respect for than Joe Dubs. The main man behind Solidarity Sound System, Joe is tireless not only in his commitment to reggae music and soundsystem culture, but also in his commitment to activism and fighting the good fight. He helps organise sound for the weekly Palestine rallies in the city, and has done the same for First Nations, refugee and anti-racism actions for years. It's a pleasure to have Joe Dubs play music with us once again at the More Fire 23rd birthday bashment. 🔥

For the More Fire anniversary sessions, we usually book support acts that we have worked with since the early years - the original More Fire family. For this one though, we have invited the Japanese/Australian Long Beach sound for the first time. Long Beach's main man Sam has been creating waves on the Melbourne reggae scene for a few years now, and recently travelled to Jamaica and NY where he voiced dubplates with some of the biggest names in reggae and dancehall. He always comes with energy, and we're expecting him to bring his best for More Fire and shell down the place. 🔥

Melbourne's resident dancehall MC duo Shottaz are on a roll right now, with a brand-new album just out, and high-profile appearances all over town. They will be stepping up onto the Kindred stage at the More Fire 23rd birthday bash and blazing it up in a dancehall style. Tickets on sale now from https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/more-fire-reggae-dancehall-23-year-celebration-tickets-810833383477 🔥

I have had quite a few people tell me that they used to take More Fire for granted. Because it was monthly, it wasn't a big deal to miss one - there would always be another one next month. We ran More Fire every month for close to 20 years, but honestly I just don't have it in me to keep that up anymore in my middle ages. So for now, we'll just celebrate the anniversary of the very first one, back in April 2001. Don't miss it. Tickets on sale now from https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/more-fire-reggae-dancehall-23-year-celebration-tickets-810833383477