B Side Reggae

B Side Reggae: Reggae in All Its Forms in Cergy

In the new town of Cergy (95000), in the shadow of the Colonnes de Saint-Christophe and on the banks of the Oise, the B Side Reggae festival has found its natural home: L'Observatoire, a beloved concert venue in the Cergy-Pontoise urban area. Since its creation in 2011 by the associations La Ruche and Premier Dragon, this three-day festival has established itself as an unmissable event for reggae lovers from all over the Île-de-France region.

The name “B Side” deliberately evokes the hidden side, the underground and non-commercial richness of reggae music. Where the A-side delivers hits known to the general public, the B-side holds treasures: the deep riddims of Jamaican roots reggae, the heavy bass of dub, the electric energy of dancehall, or the romantic melancholy of lover's rock. It is this plural richness that B Side Reggae strives to highlight.

Two Spaces, Two Ambiences

The signature of B Side Reggae lies in its dual-track structure, reflecting the intimate duality of reggae itself: the live space and the sound system space.

The Live Stage

On the main stage of L'Observatoire — a beautiful 500-capacity venue with meticulous acoustics — invited artists perform. Roots reggae bands, dancehall singers, ska orchestras, and dub formations have graced this stage over the years. Leading international artists have performed here: the legendary Abyssinians (Jamaica), the Italian group Mellow Mood, or the British producer Mad Professor, in the dub category. The venue, locally recognized as a true artistic laboratory, offers the intimacy and sound often lacking in large outdoor festivals.

The Sound System Space

Alongside the live stage, a space entirely dedicated to sound system offers an immersion into the original Jamaican tradition. Soundmen select their vinyls and digitals with consummate skill, offering sets that travel from the Studio One era to current productions, from original rocksteady to the latest contemporary dancehall riddims. Local and national sound systems perform alongside international guests, perpetuating a practice at the heart of reggae identity.

A Springboard for Emerging Artists

One of the stated missions of B Side Reggae is to serve as a springboard for emerging French and European reggae artists. Each edition reserves a portion of its programming for developing bands and artists, who thus benefit from valuable visibility in front of a discerning audience. This attention to the new generation of reggae aligns with the mission of L'Observatoire, a venue with a "reputation that grows year by year."

Reggae Culture, as a Whole

Beyond the concerts, B Side Reggae explores reggae culture in its entirety: photography exhibitions on the history of Jamaican music, record sales (vinyl and CDs), and the presence of independent labels specializing in French and European reggae. Discussions and meetings with journalists and experts in the genre sometimes complete the program.

Cergy, A Reggae City

The location of B Side Reggae in Cergy is no accident. The new town, built from the 1970s onwards, welcomed populations from the Antilles, Africa, and around the world, creating a cultural melting pot of which reggae music — music of the people, music of resistance and spirituality — is a perfect symbol. The Cergy-Pontoise urban area has a particularly active community of reggae lovers, who form the loyal core of the festival.