Lost In Time Festival 2026: A Weekend That Showed the Best of Jamaica

Last weekend Jamaica really showed off its excellence. Not just through beautiful reggae music, but also through production, sound, food, security, safety, art, fashion, and of course the vibes.

Lost in Time Festival returned better than ever and truly set the standard for what a music festival should be able to offer.

Having a music event of that magnitude in Kingston matters. It strengthens the idea that the city is not just Jamaica’s capital, but also its cultural capital. Events like this are changing the landscape of live music in Jamaica and showing how powerful reggae culture still is when it is presented with intention and quality.

Thinking back a few days later, I still feel the euphoria from those two incredible days.

A big thank you to Protoje and the entire Lost In Time team for giving Jamaica such an amazing yearly celebration. And honestly, there is no way we cannot have this again next year. 😂

The Festival Experience

This year the festival ran for two days, starting at midday and going until midnight.

The grounds were beautifully decorated, offering multiple photo spots, cultural shops, restaurants, and food vendors. Entering the festival was smooth and well organized, which immediately set a good tone for the experience.

The location, Hope Gardens, is truly one of the most beautiful places in Kingston to host a festival. Surrounded by flowers, trees, and nature, it creates an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and magical.

Lost In Time also uses two stages, which is a clever production decision. It allows the bands to set up faster and keeps the time between performances much shorter. Yes, it requires the audience to walk between stages, but that actually adds to the experience and mixes up where you watch the performances from.

On Saturday I even saw people camping out early to secure good spots for one of the most anticipated performances of the weekend.

Production, Sound and Visuals

The sound and video production were top tier.

Even if you were standing far back on the festival grounds, you could still clearly see what was happening on stage thanks to the large screens. If you decided to sit down and enjoy food at one of the restaurant areas, there were monitors so you could still follow the performances while relaxing.

It is these details that make a festival feel professionally executed and enjoyable for everyone.

Personally, I also like that Lost In Time is a daytime festival. The first part of the day can be hot, but not having to stay out until 4 or 5 in the morning is definitely a plus. It makes the festival accessible to people of all age groups, which adds to the beautiful mix of the crowd.

The People and the Fashion

Let us talk about the people for a moment.

Everyone came out in their best outfits, and it was a joy to see Jamaican men and women expressing themselves through creative fashion.

Jamaica continues to show why its culture has such a massive influence around the world. The style, the colors, and the confidence always stand out at Jamaican events.

The Performances

The lineup this year was strong, with artists representing different corners of modern reggae and roots music. Selected very carefully through their performances and music releases throughout the last years. Keep an eye out for the new

David Slur

David Slur brought energy to the stage and helped set the tone for the day. Carrying the cultural heritage of Trench Town, one of the birthplaces of reggae music, his performance reflected a deep respect for tradition while still embracing contemporary sounds. During his set he also brought out rising artist Karbon, another name to keep an eye on in Jamaica’s next generation of reggae artists. Moments like this show how the new wave of musicians continues to support and uplift each other while pushing the genre forward.

Joby Jay

🎶"its Joby Jay"🎶

This is her year this year! I have seen her being consistent and showing up at any and every reggae function in Kingston to share her beautiful voice and fashion sense! Joby Jay lived up to expectations with her set on the Foundation Stage, bringing energy, sound, fashion and momentum to the early part of the festival. She entertained the crowd, keeping the audience engaged despite the midday heat and humidity.

Mortimer

Mortimer brought one of the most emotional and soulful sets of the festival. Known for his introspective and sometimes melancholic songs, his music carries a depth that can feel heavy at times, but it also resonates strongly with the audience. During his performance, the festival’s flower-filled stage created a stunning visual, though at moments it felt almost like a gentle, reflective memorial, highlighting the vulnerability in his music. Watching him perform was a reminder of the emotional power of reggae and roots music. While his tone can sometimes feel somber, it is exactly that honesty and raw emotion that makes Mortimer such a compelling artist to follow.

Jah9

At Lost In Time Festival, Jah9 delivered a set that showcased a perfect balance of her different styles and moods. Fans were treated to the fierce, empowering energy that defined her early career, alongside her softer, more romantic and introspective songs developed in recent years. This mix made her performance feel dynamic and deeply personal, reflecting both her growth as an artist and her ability to connect with the audience on multiple emotional levels. Jah9 proved that she can be both strong and tender, making her live performance a standout moment of the festival.

Lila Iké

Lila Iké continues to prove why she is one of the most exciting voices in modern reggae. I already know how strong an artist she is, but what made me truly happy was how well she sings during performances. Throughout her entire set, she delivered each song clean, beautiful, and full of soul and feeling. Even though it might have been fun to have Masicka join her for Romantic Call, she didn’t need anyone else to elevate her performance. Her voice, emotion, and stage presence carried every moment, proving that she is more than capable of commanding the stage on her own.

Jesse Royal

From the moment he stepped on stage, he commanded attention not just with his strong and distinctive voice, but with a sense of authenticity and presence that made every song feel personal. His set was a perfect balance of high-energy hits and reflective, soulful tracks, giving fans both the excitement they came for and moments to truly connect with the heart of his music.

One of the most memorable aspects of his set was how personal it felt, especially when he invited his daughter Korus and her friend Nyah El to join him on stage. That moment created a touching connection with the crowd and highlighted Jesse’s role not just as an artist, but as a father and family man. Throughout his set, Jesse Royal engaged the audience with charm and humility, speaking about the importance of reggae culture, respect, and gratitude for both fans and fellow artists. By the end of his set, it was clear that Jesse not only delivered an incredible performance but also left the audience with a deep sense of connection, family, and shared joy.

Protoje and Friends

Protoje was the main name on the festival lineup for Saturday. As the founder of the festival, his performance felt like the heart of the event. I was especially looking forward to seeing who he would bring on stage and I was not disappointed! He brought out Alaine, Romain Virgo, Mortimer, and later even Koffee, Damian Marley and Stephen Marley  creating unforgettable collaborative moments that energized the crowd and highlighted the sense of community in Jamaica’s reggae scene.

Protoje is a businessman in reggae music and he knows how to curate a moment, not just a performance, and that is exactly what his set delivered. From seamless transitions to emotional highs and iconic guest appearances, his performance was a celebration of music, culture, and togetherness, showing why he remains one of reggae’s most visionary artists.

Chronixx: A Rebirth

One of the most emotional moments of the weekend was the performance by Chronixx.

I must admit I am still a little emotionally hungover from that concert.

It felt like a rebirth and the beginning of a new chapter after years of stepping away from the spotlight. You could see how much the moment meant to him throughout the entire performance.

From the prayers before he even touched the microphone, to the carefully selected track list, every detail felt intentional.

In the middle of the concert the sound and electricity suddenly cut out. Instead of breaking the moment, it created something even more powerful. For nearly 20 minutes the crowd kept singing his biggest songs together while the crew worked to restart the generators and bring the sound back. No music. Just voices... Thousands of people singing together.

Chronixx has been away from the spotlight, but he has never truly been gone. During that time he has been building himself as an artist on his own terms, focusing on family, his art, and spirituality rather than fame.

When the sound finally returned, the energy felt even stronger.

It was one of those rare live music moments that simply cannot be planned or recreated.

5 days later, the feeling of euphoria is still there.

Lost In Time Festival once again proved that Jamaica can deliver world class music events that celebrate culture, creativity, and community all at once. And honestly, I am already looking forward to next year, because there is simply no way we cannot have this again.