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"Legacy Meets Resurgence": Oasis Festival Elates for Bounty’s Canadian Comeback

  • Akeeile Harris
  • Aug 11
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 14

Exclusive: Oasis Festival CEO Patrick Shirley on bringing the Warlord back to Toronto after 20 years: “It’s surreal. a cultural moment. We grew up on Bounty’s music.” He says dancehall’s resurgence “gave us the confidence to go bigger,” with plans to make Oasis a flagship event, building it into Canada’s premier destination for Caribbean music and culture.


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Toronto scene getting polished up for Bounty Killer's show (Photo: Barclays Center)


Dancehall is experiencing a massive resurgence in recent months, reclaiming its crossover appeal and surging back into the mainstream. Sold-out concerts, from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to upcoming Canadian stages, alongside trending hits and the reinstatement of visas for several artists are playing a major role in the genre’s global revival.


While some credit Vybz Kartel’s major post-release comeback for reigniting the scene, the momentum has inspired many others, with dancehall legend Bounty Killer standing out as a driving force. Fresh off a historic, sold-out US return at the Barclays Center, which marks his first American show in 15 years, the General is now set for his first Canadian performance in two decades, headlining the Oasis Festival in Markham, Toronto, on August 23.


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 "Having Bounty headline is a full-circle moment for us and for Toronto’s Caribbean diaspora." (Photo: Tizzy Tokyo)


Powered by Chystar Promotions and BMW Promo, and led by Canadian promoters Patrick Shirley and BMW Promo CEO Chris Jey, the Oasis Festival will also feature fellow icons Cham, Dexta Daps, and soca powerhouse Mr. Killa.


“It’s surreal. Bounty Killer is a legend, and bringing him back to Toronto after two decades is more than just a booking; it’s a cultural moment. The demand was overwhelming, and the energy from fans has been electric. We’re proud to be the team that made it happen, and we know this performance will be remembered for years to come,” shared Patrick Shirley, the event’s CEO, in an exclusive interview with Kaboom Magazine.



Expanding on the team’s vision to bring the event to life with the legendary icon headlining, Shirley added, "We grew up on Bounty’s music. His catalog shaped dancehall, and his influence runs deep in the community", he said. "For Oasis, this moment is symbolic of legacy meeting resurgence. It’s about honoring the icons while creating space for the next wave. Having Bounty headline is a full-circle moment for us and for Toronto’s Caribbean diaspora."


The Canadian team has become more ambitious with dancehall’s recent resurgence. “It’s real. Dancehall is back in the mainstream, and fans are craving authentic experiences. That global wave gave us confidence to go bigger, to bring icons like Bounty and pair them with rising stars. We’re not chasing trends; we’re riding the wave by staying true to the culture,” he explained.


"This moment is symbolic of legacy meeting resurgence. It’s about honoring the icons while creating space for the next wave. Having Bounty headline is a full-circle moment for us and for Toronto’s Caribbean diaspora"

Outlining the vision behind the festival and the process of selecting the featured acts, PAtrick Shirley noted, “We wanted a lineup that represents the full spectrum of Caribbean sound — from dancehall to soca, from sensual to high-energy. Dexta Daps brings the soul, Cham brings the classics, and Mr. Killa brings the fire. We curated based on impact, diversity, and crowd connection. It’s not just about names — it’s about vibes.”


Canada has a strong Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora, with more artists hosting their own shows and the new generation securing steady bookings. In this healthy competitive landscape, he stated, “We embrace it. Competition means the culture is thriving. Our approach is to collaborate, not compete — we support other promoters, artists, and events. Oasis is about creating a flagship platform that complements the scene, not dominates it. There’s room for everyone when the culture wins.”


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Bounty Killer leads Oasis Festival’s first step toward becoming Canada’s premier Carib destination (Photo: Barclays Center)


The Oasis team aspires to become a hallmark destination for Caribbean dancehall music, viewing this as only the beginning. “This year marks a major moment in our journey, as we continue building Oasis into Canada’s premier destination for Caribbean music and culture. While Oasis has hosted events before, 2025 is the breakout year, the one where we truly plant our flag and define what the festival stands for.,” said the CEO. "Oasis is designed to feel like a celebration. And yes, we’re planning a few surprises. Let’s just say: if you know dancehall, you know it’s never just who’s on the flyer. Toronto, get ready,” he declared.


The Oasis Festival, slated for August 23 at the Markham Fairgrounds, is expected to be a sold-out show with over 15,000 people in attendance.

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