Why I Love the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

by Sista Irie

June 6, 2023

“Supporting the Reggae Music industry is a role played by all”

Those of us who have experienced this culturally sound and lyrically potent inspiration must remain aware that what ‘has been’ is not always what ‘will be’ - especially as we are impacted by shocking changes in laws and restrictions. Music is the voice of the people. That is scary to the establishment. Conscious music is both a spiritual and physical reasoning spoken by talented poets whose mission is to balance our challenging world with a voice of reason.

As a society, we must do everything in our power to preserve, protect and invest in a future for our friends, family and children that includes access to music.

The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is much more than fun and entertainment. SNWMF is equivalent to a cultural history lesson presenting both vintage and rising talent in a glorious environment where people of all ages come together in peace, love and human dignity. As a media person covering reggae festivals all over the world, I am energized seeing the multitudes of people globally expressing joy and hope transcended to them by the talented artistes. This experience remains a wonderful and important part of our lives yet reality dictates festivals are more and more complex and financially challenging as additional roadblocks emerge related to visas, travel expenses and viable itineraries.

The fans carry a large responsibility in ensuring the future of our beloved festivals. We vote for what we want through our attendance, volunteerism and media support. It may be true that it takes a village to raise a child. It is also true that it takes a society to preserve our entertainment industry.

A festival is not what just happens to us but what we help create, locally, regionally and internationally. ~Sista Irie