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The Abyssinians + Big Youth | Het Bolwerk, Sneek | 21-05-2026
When you talk about “close harmony singing” in reggae, you quickly arrive at The Abyssinians. The legendary roots reggae trio was formed in 1968 and, nearly 60 years later. They were still far from finished performing. The group’s most popular song is “Satta Massagana,” which became an anthem in the 1970s and was played in Jamaican churches, dancehalls, and on radio stations across the island. Their debut album of the same name, released in 1976, is also considered a true classic.
The Jamaican trio is known for delivering a beautiful reggae celebration on stage. Performing together for decades. The Abyssinians have built an extensive repertoire over the years. Songs such as “Love Comes and Goes,” “Forward Unto Zion,” “Declaration of Rights,” and “I and I” are just a few examples of tracks that are regarded as classics.
Joining The Abyssinians this evening is another giant—one of the most legendary names in reggae history: Manley Augustus Buchanan, better known as Big Youth. Born in Jamaica in 1949, he is one of reggae’s most renowned toasters and began his DJ career in the early 1970s. Big Youth’s music is melodic, laid-back, innovative, and socially and politically engaged.
During the 1970s, he released several reggae classics, including “Screaming Target” and “Isaiah First Prophet of Old.”
