FRIDAY - 10.00pm - Big Wheel Stage Ska to rocksteady to dance hall and beyond... KINGTIDE... The mighty kings of rebel music are back for yet another Electrifying live show. King Tide have earned their fan base on the live scene - renowned for their brilliant high energy live shows. Reggae is the compass guiding King Tide to new & wonderful musical lands. Bon voyage!” website: www.myspace.com/kingtidesydney

KING TIDE was formed in early 2004 after a successful reggae jam between vocalist Tony Hughes and 'toaster' Sean Collins. During a live show in Sydney, the band was spotted by advertising executives who asked them to record a cover of Toots and the Maytals' "Broadway Jungle" for a Sony TV ad campaign. The band released the cover as a full length single 'No Dog War', which received national airplay.

KING TIDE built a loyal following of fans last year with lots of gigs around Sydney and the North Coast, and began to record an album. Then Tony gets a call from Sean who is at the Police Station on his way to Villawood Detention Centre to be processed and deported... Sean had been living in Bondi, fell into a band, fell in love with a girl, and overstayed his visa!!! A bond was raised and Sean was bailed out of Villawood the week before his departure to record his vocals on the album. KING TIDE have called their debut album To Our Dearly Deported in honour of Sean who has returned home to the States. He keeps in regular contact with Tony and the band and looks forward to one day returning to our shores!!!

KING TIDE features Tony Hughes on vocals, Sean Collins as toaster, Terapai Richmond on drums, Alex Hewetson on bass, Lindsay Page on keys and trombone and Tony Gilbert on guitar. The album also features special guest vocalists Lynda Jannsen (Wicked Beats Sound System) and Charlie Maclean. The band welcomes Paul Snatch as its new MC/toaster.