Stax

Mathias Millette, known to the world as Stax, was Born and raised in Victoria BC (lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory) on Vancouver Island. His family's roots stem from Beecher Bay (Sc'ianew) and Ahousaht. He found a passion for music at an early age, and started writing poetry at the age of 14 which evolved quickly into writing lyrics and battle raps. Though he ventured into battle rapping at school and later in Victoria community at large, his music and passion for the scene got sidelined by addiction. For nine years he was lost. Now over four years sober, Stax has been steadily working on his craft, putting out music to uplift the youth, while speaking the truth of his past into every bar and verse he writes. Stax is composing music in hopes to inspire and motivate anyone who hears it.

Shows

Antidoping , 1876, Georgetown Orbits, The Bloodwarmers, Stax, db chessa
at Ship Point (Inner Harbour)
Sun. June 28th 2:00 PM
Free
We're closing Victoria's 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival with a high-energy lineup geared directly towards all our true Ska & Reggae Massive. One of Mexico’s greatest reggae bands, ANTIDOPING, returns to Victoria to headline this free festival-closing show. A linchpin of the Razteca Movement – a fusion of Mexican culture and Rastafarian philosophy, that includes our old friends Los Rastillos – Antidoping has been one of Mexico’s most vital, exciting reggae bands for over 30 years. They left a big impression the last time they took to the Ship Point stage and you can certainly expect another unforgettable reggae experience. Joining Antidoping for this one, representing both the Northern Cheyenne and the Blackfeet nations (of which both languages they sing in), is the powerful 1876. Combining the traditional sounds of the pow wow with the aggressive guitar, crunching rhythms and furious lyricism of punk rock, there is no one out there doing it like 1876. Don't miss their ferocious Ska & Reggae Fest debut!

Our old friends The Georgetown Orbits will be bringing their uniquely soulful ska straight from Seattle to Victoria for the first time in over a decade. Their upbeat, modern-vintage ska and reggae and energetic, engaging live performances have helped The Georgetown Orbits become fan favourites around the western US and Canada. And for those longtime members of the ska Massive, we're proud to welcome back THE BLOODWARMERS. The Bloodwarmers are longtime veterans of the early Ska & Reggae Fests (Back when we were still called Victoria Ska Fest), appearing at 3 of the 4 instalments of the festival, and they return with the 'ska-rific' live show for the first time in over 20 years! Kicking the day's live acts off is Victoria rapper STAX, who will be bringing his introspective, personal and powerful rhymes to our stage for the first time. Four years after his journey into music was sidelined by addiction, Stax returned the scene, more powerful than ever and we're stoked to give him the space to spread his repaired wings. We've even heard through the grapevine that his brother, Lord Condor, may be taking the stage with him. As if that wasn't a packed enough day, we have big DB Chessa behind the decks keeping things fresh with the finest reggae, dub, roots, rocksteady and dancehall. Join us, one and all, as we close out Victoria's 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Fest with a bang!