One of the best reggae festivals in Europe, Summerjam takes places every July at the Fühlinger See lake in Cologne, Germany. The event features the most prominent reggae, dancehall and hip hop performers as well as aspiring artists who play on two stages and two large tents. The festival draws about 30,000 people every year. The festival area is contributed by the camping site surrounding the lake.
Summerjam was founded in 1985 and has been held in various locations: at the Loreley, at the airport Wildenrath, until it finally moved to beautiful Fühlinger See in 1996. Past live acts of the festival included Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Fantan Mojah, Dennis Brown, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Burning Spear, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Misty In Roots, Lee Scratch Perry, Radical Dance Faction, Tony Rebel, Bunny Wailer, Shaggy, Sizzla, Sean Paul, Groundation, and Alpha Blondy. The festival helps European public discover Jamaican artists and new music genres based on reggae. More recent lineups included Marteria, Gentleman, Ziggy Marley, Buju Banton, UB40, Anthony B, Sly & Robbie, Junior Kelly, U-Roy, Glen Washington, Pablo Moses, and Freddie McGregor. Hip hop is represented by T Dolla Sign and MHD.
