Location and Experience

Location

Rock, Reggae, and Relief is not like traditional music festivals. Think less concert, and more community block party. It’s held in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh; covering Forbes Avenue and Market Square. The day of the event, the area is blocked off from the rest of the city, creating a unique concert ground known as the “Urban Oasis”.

Experience

Besides hosting a day of music by globally recognized artists, the festival also offers a diverse array of vendors, specializing in food, drink, art, and overall creativity. See below for vendors currently set to appear this year. 

Chill Ville is the go-to spot for Rock Reggae & Relief’s art, creatives, and local flavor. You can express your creativity and good vibes away from the main concert experience.

 

 

Chill Ville is free for all ticketed guests, located on Forbes Avenue, and accessed from the venue.

 

Vendors are open from 12 AM – 7 PM

MAIN Stage

The go-to-place for good vibes! Over the years, the RRR main stage has hosted local legends to Grammy Award-winning superstars.

Check back soon for 2026’s Main Stage schedule!

Chill ville stage

Visit the Chill Ville stage on Forbes Avenue for live entertainment and live art! 

Check back soon for 2026’s Chill Ville stage schedule!

UB40 ft. ALI CAMPBELL

Ali Campbell is the unmistakable voice behind one of the world’s most successful reggae bands, UB40. As the band’s founding lead singer, Ali helped drive over 100 million record sales, countless international chart topping hits, and decades of worldwide tours that took UB40’s sound to stadiums, arenas, and festivals across the globe.

FUBAR

FUBAR is an original 4 piece Reggae-Rock & Ska Punk band from the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. With 3 studio albums, hundreds of shows in the tri-state area and beyond, work ethic and hustle are not phrases unknown to them. building a loyal fanbase with locals in the scene and nationwide, FUBAR is guaranteed to get the party moving with their own special sauce of sound.

Over the past decade grinding out bar gigs and any opportunity they could find, FUBAR has stayed true to the vision of the style while tuning their approach. Having had multiple independently produced releases, their latest full length album “State Of Mind” has been gaining notoriety on its own via word of mouth both nationally and internationally.

Contributing to the “discography” are other works such as the first full length album “ALL DAY!!” a more street punk inspired mix with rock and reggae peaking through. Their second full length album “The Hunt for Inspiration” features more of the rock/reggae sound as well as the first to feature a horn section into the mix. The 3rd release, an EP titled “Get on the Bus!” provides a much more focused approach to the the style with improved musicality. The latest release “State of Mind” is arguably their most dynamic experience yet, blending rock/reggae/ska/punk with a soundscape of ideas that connect your mind to a working class band from the Steel City.

THE ELOVATERS

Exploding into the American progressive roots scene in 2018 with their #1 Billboard Reggae album Defy Gravity, The Elovaters have quickly become a household name for lovers of Sublime, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Stick Figure and more. Their music has been featured on CBS’ Hawaii Five-O and their song “Boston” was played during the World Series Parade when the Boston Red Sox won in 2018. Several of The Elovaters songs are in heavy rotation on SiriusXM’s “No Shoes Radio,” “Margaritaville,” and “The Spectrum.” They won Artist Of The Year, and Live Act of The Year in the 2022 New England Music Awards, and a few months later were voted Reggae/Ska Artist of The Year in the Boston Music Awards. Their 5th studio album, Shark Belly Motel, will be released on Ineffable Records May 15, 2026.

EMILY BRIMLOW

Emily Brimlow isn’t your typical musician. As a maverick pop-soul singer-songwriter, she’s flipping the script in the music industry, doing it her way. Her smooth, ‘beachy’ vocals weave together world music and R&B, breathing life into anthems like ‘Calling Me Home,’ ‘Dust On The Ground,’ and ‘Afaswaya.’ These tracks? They’ve racked up over 13 million streams, marking her as a musical force to be reckoned with. For Emily, every song is a fresh canvas, a piece of today that respects her musical roots.

It all started in Vancouver, strumming guitar chords at family gatherings, learning from her talented musician father. After high school, she packed her bags and toured Australia with a band, diving deep into the music scene. Seeking new horizons, Emily landed in Huntington Beach, California. Recently, she’s graced stages alongside Ziggy Alberts and Teddy Swims, cooking up magic with LA producer Jon Joseph for her upcoming album. Keep an eye out for her latest single, ‘I Fall In Love Too Easily,’ dropping on January 12th, which recently had a viral moment on Instagram. Emily’s journey isn’t just about tunes; it’s her heart poured into creating honest, captivating melodies. Her path ahead? An adventure, fueled by the excitement of where her music will resonate next.

SURFER GIRL

Surfer Girl is fronted by Carter Reeves, the former frontman of the acclaimed hip hop and pop group Aer, and continues to captivate audiences with a distinct blend of indie pop, reggae, surf rock, and hip hop. In just a couple of years, Surfer Girl has built a social following of over 55K and a music catalog that has surpassed 150 million streams. Hailing from Wayland, Massachusetts, Carter’s laid back coastal influence is ever present, pairing sun soaked melodies with infectious rhythms that feel tailor made for summer.

In April 2025, Surfer Girl released the widely loved album Sunset, a defining moment in the project’s evolution. The album features collaborations with Bryce Vine, Collie Buddz, Jah Lil, Emily Brimlow, and more, showcasing a range of styles while maintaining a cohesive sound. From breezy anthems to introspective tracks, Sunset captures themes of freedom, connection, and living in the moment. The music video for the lead single “Skydiving” further solidified the project’s visual and creative identity.

On the live side, Surfer Girl wrapped a 2025 United States headline tour that sold 15,000 tickets across 24 shows, including a standout performance at Vans Warped Tour Orlando. Momentum continues to build, with confirmed appearances at Tortuga Music Festival, BeachLife Festival, and Levitate Music Festival in 2026.

Currently, Surfer Girl is back in the studio recording what is shaping up to be their strongest material yet, with new singles scheduled to begin rolling out as early as March 2026.

THE EXPENDABLES

The Expendables have proven anything but in their nearly 25-year career since starting out as a spirited party band in high school performing surf-rock covers for birthdays and family gatherings. A quarter-century later, elementary school buddies Raul Bianchi, Adam Peterson and Geoff Weers, along with bassist Ryan DeMars, who joined in 2000, have forged a unique sound born in the laid-back beach life in their hometown of Santa Cruz, CA.

The Expendables’ infectious hybrid of ska, surf-rock, punk, reggae and metal can be heard in their latest streaming track, “Surfman Cometh,” a spaghetti-western meets “Pipeline” twang that could easily form the soundtrack to the latest Quentin Tarantino film. The song is the first release from the group’s new and improved Band Room, their longtime rehearsal space in a 1,100 square foot warehouse and former wine cellar on Coral Street, where Adam Patterson took charge of the final mix to great effect.

The band’s previous studio album of original material, 2015’s Sand in the Sky, was followed by The Expendables’ second release featuring acoustic reworkings of past material, Gone Raw, 2019’s follow-up to 2012’s Gone Soft. The Expendables continue woodshedding until they can get back out on the road. Their 2017 Moment EP, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, showed the band starting to move into different musical directions, a set featuring collaborations with reggae crooner HIRIE, rapper Tech N9ne, Eric Rachmany, and Micah Peuschel.

THE HIP ABDUCTION

Sometimes inspiration strikes from the immersion of living in a far away place. The view of the ocean. The sound of a rainforest at sunrise. The smell of an open-air market. The embrace of the wild human experience. However, maybe the nostalgia for a certain place might be attributed instead to a feeling, or a time, or even a person. Sometimes, inspiration stems from a place that everyone can relate to, but maybe no one’s actually been. This is the music of The Hip Abduction, the vibrant St. Petersburg, FL-based collective that formed over a mutual appreciation for West African and early Jamaican reggae/dub music.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE

G. Love & Special Sauce is an American Hip-Hop Blues band known for its unique fusion of hip-hop, blues, funk, and soul. Formed in 1993 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the band originally featured Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeffrey Clemens on drums, and Jim Prescott on bass. The trio quickly gained attention for their laid-back, groovy style and G. Love’s unique vocal delivery, blending rap-like spoken word with bluesy singing.

Their debut self-titled album, G. Love & Special Sauce, was released in 1994 on Epic Records and included the hit single “Cold Beverage,” which became popular on alternative radio stations and MTV, solidifying their presence in the music scene. The band’s style has been described as a mix of “slacker blues” and “alternative hip-hop,” as they frequently incorporate elements of 90s hip-hop beats with classic blues rhythms.

Over the years, G. Love & Special Sauce has released numerous albums, including Coast to Coast Motel (1995), Yeah, It’s That Easy (1997), The Electric Mile (2001) and the GRAMMY nominated The Juice (2020). Their sound evolved to include more soul, R&B, and rock influences, though they retained their laid-back vibe and clever lyrical play. Their 2014 album Sugar saw a reunion of the original lineup after several years, and they continued to tour and produce music with a loyal fan base.

Known for their energetic live performances, G. Love & Special Sauce has played at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Garrett Dutton also frequently collaborates with other artists, including Jack Johnson, with whom he shares a similar vibe, and has released solo projects that dive deeper into his blues influences. G. Love & Special Sauce remains a beloved name in the music scene, blending genres in a way that feels fresh and authentic.

TRIBAL SEEDS

Since their inception in San Diego, California, Tribal Seeds has become a formidable force in the global reggae scene. Over their 19-year career, the band has toured extensively, connecting with fans and fellow musicians across continents, driven by the spiritual and cultural essence of reggae music. With the release of their latest album, “Ancient Blood,” on February 9th, 2024, Tribal Seeds continue to solidify their legacy.

Tribal Seeds has produced a rich discography that includes four full-length albums, two EP’s, and a live album, amassing over 1.3 billion song streams across all music platforms. Their music resonates deeply with audiences, thanks to their robust touring life that has taken them to Europe, South America, New Zealand, Mexico, Guam, and Aruba. Even the global pandemic couldn’t halt their creative momentum, leading to the innovative live album “Live: The 2020 Sessions,” which captured the resilience of the band and their commitment to their fans.

“Ancient Blood,” their most recent release, marks a significant chapter in Tribal Seeds’ musical journey. The album has been lauded for its blend of traditional reggae roots and contemporary influences, featuring collaborations with legendary artists such as Twinkle Brothers, Kabaka Pyramid, Romain Virgo, Hollie Cook, and showcasing the band’s growth and versatility.

The band’s rise to prominence began early, with their 2008 self-titled album debuting at #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts and winning the San Diego Music Award for Best Reggae/World Album. Their songs “In Your Eyes” & “Dawn of Time” remain two of their highest-streamed tracks with over 275 million plays combined. Each subsequent release has continued this trend of success, with “The Harvest” LP cracking the Top 5 on Billboard Reggae, “Soundwaves” EP debuting at #2, and “Representing” debuting at #1 on iTunes, Amazon, and Billboard Reggae charts.

As Tribal Seeds continues to push the boundaries of reggae music, their dedication to their roots and their fans remains unwavering. For more information about Tribal Seeds and their latest album “Ancient Blood,” visit their official website at www.tribalseeds.net.

ROOTS OF CREATION

RoC (Roots of Creation) has taken on a unique new project: Grateful Dub: a Reggae-infused tribute to the Jerry Garcia & The Grateful Dead. Combining their longtime love for Reggae-Dub style music and the Grateful Dead, RoC reworked some of the world’s favorite Dead tunes into a new studio album. RoC had the pleasure of working in the studio with the legendary 5-time Grammy winner Errol Brown who was Bob Marley’s sound engineer for this project. Grateful Dub is also being performed live in its entirety at festivals, theatres, and clubs around the country, and features rotating live special guests that has included Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh), Zach Nugent, RyMo, AG, & Paul W. (Slightly Stoopid), G. Love (G. Love & Special Sauce), Mihali (Twiddle), Dan Kelly (Fortunate Youth) and others. Grateful Dub captures the spirit and magic of the Grateful Dead, while laying it down Reggae-Dub style.

THE UPOOTED BAND

FEATURING MICHAEL GLABICKI OF RUSTED ROOT

Michael Glabicki, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Rusted Root fuses musical mastery and shamanic inspiration into his music and live performances. In his most prolific period to date Glabicki is focusing his energy on his new band, The UPROOTED Band, to carry on the legacy of Rusted Root’s energetic music while recording new music.   

“Uprooted has masterfully expanded the landscape of the older Rusted Root songs and created a new intuitive and magnetic vision of the material” says Glabicki, “These inspired performances not only energize and expand the hearts of the crowds but also show us how to take the new music to the next level”.

Rusted Root, led by Glabicki, built their career around dramatic performances; their polyrhythmic, multicultural rock-and-soul picked up fans like a junkyard magnet as they swept across the nation on tour.  Glabicki continues to keep this tradition alive through his new project, The Uprooted Band.

The Uprooted Band Featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root
With Dirk Miller on guitar and vocals, Ricky Petraglia on drums, Keaton Thandi on percussion, Erik Kramer on bass and Daisie Ghost Flower and Emily Victoria on background vocals, The Uprooted Band is a liberating project for Glabicki. He says “I looked to the past and imagined where I wanted to go and realized this band is the perfect vehicle to take me there.”  This tour will focus on the energy and excitement Rusted Root brought to all of their fans, and keep the spirit of the music moving forward. 

J BOOG

Born and raised on the West Coast and influenced heavily by his Polynesian upbringing, J BOOG is undoubtedly one of the top reggae singers in recent years. Mentored by island reggae icon Fiji, he fine tuned his sound and style creating a unique blend that transcends across continents.

Early on in his career, a chance encounter led J Boog to connect with Yami Bolo and Gramps Morgan, which then took him to Jamaica where the reggae singer found himself working in the historical studios of Bob Marley, Don Corleon, Bobby Digitals, Shaggy, and Sugar Minott. This experience no doubt played another key role in the flair of Boog’s music.

His debut album, Hear Me Roar, dropped in 2007 and a few years later he released Backyard Boogie, which included megahits like “Lets Do It Again” produced by Don Corleon and “Sunshine Girl” produced by Gramps Morgan and featuring Peetah Morgan. Amidst the 2020 global pandemic, “Let’s Do It Again” exploded on TikTok via a viral dance by Stranger Things Noah Schnapp even garnering the attention of high-profile celebrities like Charli D’Amelio and Jason Derulo. The popular track currently boasts over 75m views on YouTube and continues to chart on the iTunes reggae chart even today. A year after its release though, Backyard Boogie earned J Boog the Best Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards in Chicago. Wash House Ting was released in 2016 and featured tracks with veteran reggae band Morgan Heritage as well as dancehall legend Buju Banton. The album topped Billboard Reggae Album Charts and was later nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. His EP Rose Petals was nominated for Best Reggae Album of the Year at the 2017 Grammy Awards and also topped US Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts. J Boog’s repertoire boasts tracks with Soja, Iration, Tarrus Riley, The Green, Fiji, Chaka Demus, Richie Spice and more.

He has toured all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Dubai, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and of course across the US. He’s performed at festivals like Cali Roots, One Love NZ, Good Love, Reggae Rise Up, One Love Cali, Arizona Roots, Dry Diggings, and the Mayjah Rayjah to name a few.

In 2021, J Boog released three singles [“Siva Mai ft. Siaosi,” “Ain’t No Love Like,” and “Free of Dem”]. He even hosted a dance competition for “Siva Mai” that gained entries from dance crews all over the world. He was also nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the Island 98.5 island music awards in Honolulu.