Entertainment
8 March, 2026
Mad Professor will mix it up
DUB pioneer Mad Professor says he is looking forward to returning to Cairns as part of his Dubs Down Under tour at Tanks Arts Centre – Tank 5 on Friday 13 March.
Speaking ahead of the show, Mad Professor said he has been visiting Australia for decades.
“I’ve been coming from 1990,” he said.
He recalled performing at festivals in the 1990s and earlier visits to Far North Queensland.
“I was there. I did a lovely show, and then I left..”
An innovator of live dub performance and a disciple of Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor said he does not script his performances.
“I don’t plan anything,” he said.
When asked what audiences can expect on the night, he added: “Anything, yeah, yeah. And expect anything I can’t say further than that.”
The Edge Hill performance will begin at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. The show is scheduled to run for three hours. Supporting act Pauly P will join the bill for the 18+ standing-only event, with a full bar operating.
Mad Professor, who collaborated with Massive Attack on the 1994 album ‘No Protection’, said strong production is key to music that endures.
“You learn about production, like, even when you listen to like a Bob Marley album, like ‘Exodus’,” he said.
“The songs are so well recorded, well written, that it doesn’t age.”
Reflecting on reggae’s message in a turbulent world, he said: “You could talk warm love till the rain come down. People don’t listen.”
He will also bring limited merchandise on tour, including a new album to celebrate ‘45 years of dub’, as well as releases such as ‘Lee Perry Lost Tapes’ and ‘Armageddon’ from Sister Nancy.
Tickets are available via Ticketlink: www.bit.ly/404BK4o
