MUSICwestport Kick Off Party – The Human Rights (Modern Roots Reggae!)

Event Description

Toronto’s favourite Reggae sensation, The Human Rights will be moving the house and the patio dance floor like you can’t believe on Friday, August 15, 2025 for the annual MUSICwestport Festival Kick Off Party! Come for dinner and show and bounce to the Reggae music!

The Human Rights first came together in 2007, around the talents and vision of lead singer and Toronto Reggae lion Friendlyness (Big Sugar, Culture Shock, Truth And Rights), drummer Eric Woolston (Maylee Todd, The Hooded Fang), versatile bassman Tyler Wagler and the band’s original keyboardist Bernie Pitters (Toots & The Maytals, Hit Squad), who passed away in 2023 and in whose loving memory the band continues forward. The Human Rights quickly gained a reputation as Toronto’s house Reggae band of sorts, sharing the stage and often backing the likes of The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, Sanchez, and other top international Reggae artists. In 2014, much-loved Toronto vocalist Tréson (who has recorded with the likes of Black Uhuru spearhead Mykal Rose) joined the band, giving The Human Rights a distinctively powerful two-man front line that seamlessly moves between modern roots reggae, lovers rock, soul, R&B and dancehall vibes. After Bernie Pitters’ health began preventing him from touring, Canadian Reggae keys legend Dave Jackson stepped in on the bubble and skank. The Declaration of Human Rights horn section is now led by acclaimed trombonist Tom Richards, who is best known from his genre-bending work with The Heavyweights Brass Band and Riverrun.

By the end of 2024, The Human Rights will have played over 250 festival and club shows across Canada and the United States. Their live highlights include: The New Orleans Reggae Festival, Austin Reggae Festival, Hillside Festival, Harbourfront Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, The Phoenix Concert Theatre and many other top venues across North America. They have released three full-length albums, including their 2016 self-titled record which was produced by Canadian music icon and Big Sugar founder Gordie Johnson and their most recent LP Reggae Strong (2021) which is dedicated to Bernie Pitters. Their fourth album is expected to be released in early 2025.