Jam Jah Mondays, the UK's longest-running weekly reggae night, celebrates 25 years in Birmingham

Jam Jah Mondays, the Birmingham night that has been playing reggae every week since 2001 and is described as the longest-running weekly reggae gathering in the UK, is celebrating 25 years and more than 1,200 sessions with a big anniversary show in Digbeth.

Jam Jah Sound, the soundsystem behind the night, will mark its quarter-century on Saturday 5 December at The Drop Inn, What's On Live reported on 11 November.

From a Moseley pub to a national institution

Jam Jah began in a pub in Moseley in 2001. It has since grown into one of the UK's best-loved reggae institutions, appearing at venues and festivals across the country while staying true to the classic soundsystem format: live artists, heavyweight selections, exclusive productions, remixes and live percussion.

Remarkably, the weekly Monday sessions have been free to attend throughout their 25-year history. Today they take place every Monday at The Station, the community pub and venue in Kings Heath, bringing together people from all backgrounds.

Jam Jah Sound is the soundsystem arm of Birmingham collective Friendly Fire Music, which also runs a label, a studio and a band. Members of the soundsystem form the core of the Friendly Fire Band, whose track It's a Brum Ting was chosen by the BBC as theme music for its coverage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"Timeless music and unity"

Robin Giorno, known as Robbie Don, from Jam Jah Sound, said: "Reggae and soundsystem culture has always been about timeless music and unity, as is Jam Jah."

He said that over the past 25 years there had been "seismic shifts in the global and regional music industries", with reggae rising to become one of the most popular and commercially successful musical cultures worldwide while keeping its core values.

An all-star line-up

The anniversary show brings together artists who have been part of the Jam Jah journey. Foundational Jamaican artists Earl Sixteen and Little Roy will be joined by some of the best UK talent, including Mr Williamz, YT, Solo Banton, Cheshire Cat and lovers rock legend Peter Spence.

Birmingham grassroots artists K Dottie and Lion Art Qedemawi will also perform, alongside the full Jam Jah Sound crew: Bongo Damo, Robbie Don, Myki Tuff, DJ Dunk, Heala and Keyah.

A Birmingham story

Birmingham has a rich reggae heritage, from Steel Pulse and UB40 to the soundsystems of Handsworth and Balsall Heath, and Jam Jah's 25 years of free weekly sessions are part of that living tradition. The anniversary returns to Digbeth, a neighbourhood that has hosted countless Jam Jah sessions over the years.

Jam Jah Sound: 25th Anniversary takes place at The Drop Inn, Digbeth, on Saturday 5 December 2026, with food served through the night and vinyl, T-shirts and CDs on sale. Tickets start at £15 plus a booking fee. And for anyone who cannot wait until December, the free Monday sessions in Kings Heath carry on as always.