Bank Holiday Sunday, 24th August @ Tramshed, Cardiff
Cardiff! Pack away your waterproofs and whip out the glitter – ‘cos the Rum & Reggae Festival 2025 is bringing pure island energy to the valleys, and it’s already looking spicy! 🌶️🌞
This Bank Holiday Sunday, the legendary Tramshed will transform into a mini Caribbean paradise, overflowing with rum-fuelled vibes, infectious rhythms, and enough punch to flatten a dragon 🐉🍹.
🌴 THE LINE-UP: LEGENDS ONLY
We’re not just talking about any old tribute night – this is a full-blown celebration of all things Caribbean culture, with a sound system to shake your soul:
🎧 Don Letts – The punky reggae party pioneer himself. Expect deep dub cuts, rebel anthems, and a lesson in righteous groove.
🔊 Mad Professor ft. Sister Aisha – Straight from the Ariwa studios to the diff, bringing psychedelic dub, deep bass lines, and vocal fire from the one and only Sister Aisha.
🎤 Bob Marley Revival – Close your eyes and you’d swear it was the Tuff Gong himself on stage. Every little thing will be alright. 🎶
🎷 UB40 Tribute – Red red wine and pure nostalgia. You know you’ll be singing every word, butt.
🥁 Fantasy Steel Drum Band – Nothing says Caribbean carnival like the sweet clatter of steel pans, and this crew brings the sunshine with every note.
🍸 WHAT TO EXPECT (A.K.A. THE GOOD STUFF)
This isn’t just a gig. It’s a full-blown, tastebud-tickling, body-moving carnival for the senses:
🍹 Tropical rum cocktails & punch – You’ll need a designated walker.
🍗 Authentic Jamaican street food – Jerk chicken, curry goat, patties, and everything in between. Hungry just thinking about it. 😋
🕺 Carnival dancers & Caribbean décor – Expect feathers, glitter, colour, and probably a few rogue limbo contests. Limber up now.
💇 Glitter & hair braiding station – Come dull, leave dazzling ✨
🎨 More surprises than a box of patty snacks – Street performers? Pop-up merch stalls? Who knows what’s lurking round the next palm tree…
🧨 TICKETS – GOING, GOING… NEARLY GONE!
🚨 1st release: SOLD OUT
🚨 2nd release: SOLD OUT
🚨 3rd release: 86% SOLD OUT and counting!
Don’t be the plonker refreshing Ticketmaster on the day praying for a miracle. If you want in, you best get clicking now – because Cardiff loves a knees-up and this one’s hotter than a Scotch bonnet in the middle of July 🌶️🔥
🏝️ WHY THIS FESTIVAL SLAPS HARDER THAN A BONGO SOLO
Because it’s August Bank Holiday, mun – the final chance to soak in some summer madness before the Welsh rain returns to ruin your soul.
Because it’s Cardiff, and we know how to party.
And because rum, reggae, and ridiculously good food should be a required public service by now. 🍍💃
📍 ESSENTIALS
📅 Date: Sunday, 24th August 2025 (Bank Holiday Weekend, baby!)
📍 Venue: Tramshed, Cardiff
🎟️ Remaining Tickets: Final release – 86% SOLD
🎉 Vibes: OFF. THE. SCALE.
Get your loud shirts, your dancing shoes, and your appetite – Cardiff’s Rum & Reggae Fest is gonna be a tropical thunderstorm of joy. C’mon butt, let’s get wavy. 🌊🍹
🎟️ Grab tickets before they’re gone – or you’ll be the only one not whining your waist on Bank Holiday Sunday.
RiffReportApproved #CardiffCarnival #RumReggaeAndReload #TidyFestivalVibes #OnlyInWalesMun 🍹🇯🇲🌴
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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