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Exploring the sounds behind the tag cloud

The categories and tags collected here point to a wide family of music that grew out of Jamaica and spread across the world. For anyone heading to a reggae festival, it helps to know how these styles connect, because a single weekend can move from roots to dub to dancehall and on to newer club sounds without warning.

From roots to dancehall

Reggae took shape in Jamaica in the late 1960s, built on a steady one-drop rhythm and a strong bassline. Dub came from studio engineers who stripped tracks back to drum and bass, then added echo, reverb and dropouts. That approach later fed into British sound system culture and, much later, dubstep. Dancehall emerged in the late 1970s and 1980s, with DJs toasting over riddims: shared instrumental backings that many artists voice in turn. That is why the word "riddim" turns up so often in playlists and radio shows.

The wider tropical bass world

Tags such as Soca, Cumbia, Kuduro, Zouk, Moombahton and UK Funky show how Caribbean, Latin American, African and British club music overlap. Soca comes from Trinidad and Tobago's carnival tradition. Cumbia has its roots in Colombia. Kuduro is a fast, energetic style from Angola. Moombahton slowed house music down to a reggaeton-like tempo. DJs often blend these with dancehall into what gets called tropical bass, and the mix works especially well late at night at outdoor events.

Using podcasts and shows before a festival

Mixes, radio shows and livestream recordings are a good way to warm up before a festival weekend. Listening ahead lets you pick out the selectors and vocalists you most want to catch, so you can plan your days around them. Once you know what you like, compare it with the acts listed on the lineup. Then sort out the practical side using the camping information and travel tips, so the music stays the focus once you arrive in Fulda.

Older posts and recordings sometimes relied on Flash, which modern browsers no longer support. If an embedded player doesn't load, the artist's or DJ's own channels are usually the best place to find the same sets in a current format.