event report: reggae sundance 2014: sunday 10 august
the return of the sundance weekend!
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After a good night of sleep, some breakfast (we were glad we brought our own because they asked 10 euros for a mini breakfast, why so much??) and a nice morning spliff we were ready for the Sunday. The best thing about the saturday is the fact that there will be another day. Again a day with class-acts like Tarrus Riley, Alborosie, Derajah, Addis Pablo and the legendary Coxsone sound. It would be a day with two different faces because we knew what kind of weather was coming on later that afternoon. We didn't let that temper our spirits and round about 12 o clock we went to the Zion stage for a Rockers International Showcase, there are worse ways to wake up we think....
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Rockers International Showcase | Derajah & Strawl (NL)
Derajah is an artist we know from videos alongside the viceroys, inna di yard and his beautiful tunes like 'My sista' and 'Woo Yeah Ah' (ft. Addis Pablo on stage) and we were looking forward seeing this rising star perform for the first time. Within 5 seconds we knew, Derajah is gonna be big. What a voice and what a humbleness. We will see more of him for sure. Again another youth from Jamaica promoting Roots music. BIG UP! Strawl from NL made a surprise appearance and he brought pure fyah! A perfect combination and Strawl for sure is one of the best reggae artists the Netherlands has to offer. This man is making music for many years now and is working together with RDBLCK Agency to get his career going seriously. Curious? check out Strawl and his latest album Rasta Warrior! |
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Photos made by Irie-photography
Rockers International Showcase - Addis Pablo & Earl 16
After Derajah and Strawl had left the Zion stage Addis Pablo took over to continue the Rockers International Showcase. Of course Addis Pablo is known as the son of August Pablo but this young musician is making name for himself nowadays. He is part of the Suns of Dub and they are touring Europe right now. The movie 'In my father's house' is a direct hit on the internet and the people knew what they are looking at. The humble Addis Pablo played his tunes and gave thanks the audience and of course Rastafari. Veteran Earl 16 came to give us the final performance of the showcase. Earl 16 always delivers, that's all we can say. Pure Roots reggae music all the way true... classic tunes!
After Derajah and Strawl had left the Zion stage Addis Pablo took over to continue the Rockers International Showcase. Of course Addis Pablo is known as the son of August Pablo but this young musician is making name for himself nowadays. He is part of the Suns of Dub and they are touring Europe right now. The movie 'In my father's house' is a direct hit on the internet and the people knew what they are looking at. The humble Addis Pablo played his tunes and gave thanks the audience and of course Rastafari. Veteran Earl 16 came to give us the final performance of the showcase. Earl 16 always delivers, that's all we can say. Pure Roots reggae music all the way true... classic tunes!
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Photos made by Irie-photography
Dre Island
We do have to mention this talented youngster even though we missed his performance. We could hear his performance by our tent and we saw him already before so we can confirm this youngster is making name for himself. Rastafari and Uptown down-town are just some of his conscious tunes. Again another youth to keep an eye out for..
We do have to mention this talented youngster even though we missed his performance. We could hear his performance by our tent and we saw him already before so we can confirm this youngster is making name for himself. Rastafari and Uptown down-town are just some of his conscious tunes. Again another youth to keep an eye out for..
' who has the biggest Ding Dong?' Tanya Stephens
Tanya Stephens is very popular and we keep on asking ourselves why? Of Course it's a pity is a BIG tune.. but when i ask people to name another one it remains quite almost every time. We went to see her perform, since we were there we gave it a try. The conclusion that Tanya Stephens style is more RnB or HipHop then reggae came pretty soon, and when she started asking the entire crowd who had the longest ding dong (for over 5 minutes) we just walked away... We saw people enjoying it but this is not made for us. We don't judge but this stuff has nothing to do with reggae music anymore as far as we are concerned... yet we do understand the Reggae Sundance festival organisation booking her and trying to bring all styles unto the Zion stage.
Tanya Stephens is very popular and we keep on asking ourselves why? Of Course it's a pity is a BIG tune.. but when i ask people to name another one it remains quite almost every time. We went to see her perform, since we were there we gave it a try. The conclusion that Tanya Stephens style is more RnB or HipHop then reggae came pretty soon, and when she started asking the entire crowd who had the longest ding dong (for over 5 minutes) we just walked away... We saw people enjoying it but this is not made for us. We don't judge but this stuff has nothing to do with reggae music anymore as far as we are concerned... yet we do understand the Reggae Sundance festival organisation booking her and trying to bring all styles unto the Zion stage.
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Busy Signal - Rain
Busy Signal was up next but the rain was coming as well so we could only watch a part of the show. Busy Signal brought some Dancehall vibes to the Zion Stage and we must agree he has some nice tunes. Reggae Music Again was the song people knew best and it came just before the rain, then the heavens started pooring down. The people flew into the Yard tent to find some shelter. Dub Phyzix was playing at the time and people were amazed about the music that they were playing. Again the question raise why there was no reggae deejay playing in this Yard. The moment this man stopped playing and the Reggae music started to play. People instantly became happy, dancing and singing. Just when the party was starting to take off... |
...the message came that it was not safe inside anymore. We had to leave the tent, into the pooring rain but nobody complained, because the roof of the tent was obviously about to collapse, and after all safety comes first. So we went to the Zion stage for the Alborosie performance, again there are worse ways to spend a little rain shower.
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Alborosie - Lucky
The rain really went all out on us when we stood in front of the Zion stage for Alborosie but we got pretty lucky. This man (or woman) behind us came with a large piece of plastic and immediately we secured a spot under it. More people came under and together we stood right in front of the stage but we kept perfectly dry. Blessings al around! Special thanks to the man (or woman) who came with the plastic. Alborosie finally gave us the real Sundance feeling and he came with tunes like Rastafari anthem, Still Blazin' (our personal favorite), Kingston Town, Herbalist and many more. A perfect show something we were really longing for at that time. Tarrus Riley was about to come after Pupa Albo so spirits were rising amongst the loyal reggae sundance crowd! |
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Photos made by Irie-photography
Tarrus Riley
Tarrus Riley's name is a big one in the reggae scene nowadays. We personally love most of his tunes but his appearance back in the earlier days was more humble. Nevertheless he delivered a quality performance. The vocalist hailing from Jamaica came with tunes like 'Human Nature', 'She's Royal' and 'Beware'. His 'American' image nowadays does not work in his favour but Tarrus Riley is a first class act... who could have easily been the headliner for this Reggae Sundance. Alborosie and Tarrus Riley reggae sundance was treating us with some first class reggae. We enjoyed both of these shows to the fullest!!
Tarrus Riley's name is a big one in the reggae scene nowadays. We personally love most of his tunes but his appearance back in the earlier days was more humble. Nevertheless he delivered a quality performance. The vocalist hailing from Jamaica came with tunes like 'Human Nature', 'She's Royal' and 'Beware'. His 'American' image nowadays does not work in his favour but Tarrus Riley is a first class act... who could have easily been the headliner for this Reggae Sundance. Alborosie and Tarrus Riley reggae sundance was treating us with some first class reggae. We enjoyed both of these shows to the fullest!!
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Photos by Irie-photography
Shaggy - Final performance
Coxsone sounds was originally planned to play in the Yard tent, but the tent was not safe anymore due to heavy rain fall. When you have a legend sound like Coxsone Sound you cannot send them home without playing some tunes. So they came to perform between Tarrus Riley and Shaggy at the Zion stage. They played one exclusive Garnett Silk DUB and that was all the proof we needed. After that dub-plate we just heard tunes we could play ourselves easily if we were allowed to do so. This improvised setting (right next to the Shaggy sound check) was a little disrespectful but there was no other option. We enjoyed seeing this legend sound but the crowd seemed to ignore them a bit and were waiting for Shaggy to come on. Mr. Boombastic came and he played all the tunes you expect of a Shaggy show. People were enjoying it but it was more like a pop concert then a righteous closure to the Reggae Sundance 15th Anniversary. The moment we saw Shaggy take a mic out his pants to suggest he has a big 'ding dong' in front of all sorts of people (including children, and little girls of 15,16 - Shaggy 36 yrs) we were done with this 'reggae-show'. We watched the entire show because we didn't want to end the 'Sundance-feeling'. Just like last night we were longing for closing acts like Burning Spear or Morgan Heritage. We don't know much about the money-thing but we are sure Reggae Sundance payed big time to get Mr. Boombastic on stage, money that they could have spent much better in our humble opinion.
Coxsone sounds was originally planned to play in the Yard tent, but the tent was not safe anymore due to heavy rain fall. When you have a legend sound like Coxsone Sound you cannot send them home without playing some tunes. So they came to perform between Tarrus Riley and Shaggy at the Zion stage. They played one exclusive Garnett Silk DUB and that was all the proof we needed. After that dub-plate we just heard tunes we could play ourselves easily if we were allowed to do so. This improvised setting (right next to the Shaggy sound check) was a little disrespectful but there was no other option. We enjoyed seeing this legend sound but the crowd seemed to ignore them a bit and were waiting for Shaggy to come on. Mr. Boombastic came and he played all the tunes you expect of a Shaggy show. People were enjoying it but it was more like a pop concert then a righteous closure to the Reggae Sundance 15th Anniversary. The moment we saw Shaggy take a mic out his pants to suggest he has a big 'ding dong' in front of all sorts of people (including children, and little girls of 15,16 - Shaggy 36 yrs) we were done with this 'reggae-show'. We watched the entire show because we didn't want to end the 'Sundance-feeling'. Just like last night we were longing for closing acts like Burning Spear or Morgan Heritage. We don't know much about the money-thing but we are sure Reggae Sundance payed big time to get Mr. Boombastic on stage, money that they could have spent much better in our humble opinion.
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Conclusion
Reggae Sundance 2014 was a festival never to forget. We had it all, of course the heavy rain but some nice sunshine as well. Good food, good drinks coming with good prices for tokens. The food sometimes was a bit expensive but that seems to be the standard on every festival these days. Quality reggae shows like Alborosie, Tarrus Riley, Midnite, Rockers International Showcase, Jesse Royal, Dre Island, Dillinger and more. The only bad feeling we had left was about the Yard. It was more like a house-party in our eyes. Some people enjoyed it but most of the people were just staring around wondering if they ever gonna hear some reggae tunes. Friday night in the Yard was sweet we must say (Due to reggae music) and of course Midnite played on Saturday at the Yard as well (Uplifting show!). We received many reactions concerning this issue. Why not create a Dutch Yard and offer some Dutch sounds a chance to show their skills. There are plenty of good sounds available who will be more then happy to come and play for the people. We understand Reggae Sundance trying to bring some diversity to the festival in order to attract other (and more) people to the festival. |
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Overall we cannot say anything else that we are very happy that the Reggae Sundance festival weekend is back. Let's hope it stays this way. Make sure you will be there again for the next edition. If we all bring someone along we can make Reggae Sundance what it was again. One of the best reggae festivals in Europe...
<<< click here for our report on friday and saturday @ reggae sundance 2014
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