Herbal Mafia celebrated the first installation of their 20th birthday series on Friday night with a line-up bursting at the seams with all things reggae, dub, and plenty of bass, headlined by renowned Glasgow collective Mungo’s HiFi.

Review and Photos Caitlin Barnard

The Crescent played host to the event, marking a long-standing accomplishment as a local mainstay of sound system culture, uniting like-minded people together since its inception.

Upon stepping into the venue, the discernible optimism of the event’s participants was immediate. With the diverse roster of emcees and DJs spanning dancehall, UK garage, drum and bass and everything in between being split between two rooms, the crowd was spoilt for choice. 

Catch A Fire & Yenz with MC Sherlock Art kicked off the main room with an entrancing curation of conscious reggae and rub-a-dub stylings, interspersed with plenty of dub sirens and grooves “so nice you have to play them twice.” It was an undeniable conclusion from Sherlock Art’s performance that emceeing is his vocation. He proffered animated, syncopated flows that traversed the rhythms, initiating the audience into the celebratory spirit that marked the evening.

This opening display was followed by an eclectic, club-oriented set from Morgue B2B with Joe Hell. Their grime and dubstep tracks amplified the energy and accelerated the momentum of the evening.

Elsewhere in room two, Gella was a particular highlight in the DJ lineup for those with a proclivity for jungle and breakbeat-imbued riddims that encourage a healthy dose of skanking. This smaller, more intimate space, coupled with the friendly, approachable crowd and excellent tunes, made the whole venue feel like the hottest club in the city. 

When it was finally time for Mungo’s Hi Fi’s headlining set, it felt like a mass gathering of like-minded individuals came to immerse themselves in the sound. The eminent Craigy Wonder took the decks, accompanied by formidable vocalist and emcee Aziza Jaye of Nubiyan Twist. The performance landed within the release cycle of their latest EP, so fans were treated to some of the first live renditions of fresh new tracks such as Nah Follow and a reworked dub interpolation of That Thing. 

The enthusiastic crowd sang along to familiar Mungo’s classics like Amsterdam and Jump Up Quickly, uniting on the well-known choruses. As the momentum surged, Aziza Jaye proved entirely captivating. Her rhythmic versatility, effortless audience engagement, and soaring vocals blended seamlessly with the lush, pounding sonics of the bass that reverberated through the venue.

Nothing quite compares to fully absorbing the raw vitality radiating from the speakers. The ephemeral nature of the performance at once elevated the audience beyond themselves and grounded them in the moment by a moving physical sensation. It felt like being granted permission to surrender completely, to release, to share in a collective consciousness. When the two-hour journey of dancing and soaking in the atmosphere finally ended, it left behind a profound sense of catharsis that can only be captured by leaving everything on the dancefloor.

Those who stayed into the early hours were treated to an impressively dexterous lyrical showcase from MC Pean, backed by the Vital Techniques, driving the energy even higher. From beginning to end, the night delivered a soulful celebration of the culture with intention, longevity, and artistry at its core. 

Despite the mounting pressures facing live music today, it’s not difficult to see why Herbal Mafia is still standing strong after twenty years. By cultivating a space where all ages and backgrounds can share in a lived experience, they have stayed true to the tenets of sound system culture. By breaking down barriers and bridging communities, they ensure the movement remains not just remembered but lived and breathed.

Herbal Mafia put on regular events at The Crescent and will be returning to the venue with the second instalment of their birthday celebrations on 3 April 2026, featuring a headlining slot from jungle and D&B pioneer Goldie. Come and experience the potency of the bass vibrations for yourself.

Herbal Mafia’s 20^th Birthday – Part 1 took place at The Crescent on Friday 27 February 2026.