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With their mix of reggae, dancehall, cheerful ska and Arabic influences, Dub Inc (Dub Incorporation until 2010) is a unique element in the reggae scene. In the meantime they have created their fifth album which they presented for the first time in Beljam yesterday. Paradise is another jewel and, mixing in songs from their previous albums, they provided for another sound and finished show. That the from France originated band always knows how to have a party live, we no longer have to tell you.
When we arrived we just saw the end of Joshua Alo's show (who was apparently ill). Sadly, the Hawaiian wasn't able to convince his audience. After a half hour break it was show time for Dub Inc, and the hall was packed well past the PA, yet the balconies remained closed. There were noticeably also a lot of Dutch spectators, despite the fact that the band is mostly famous across the language border.
Tous ce qu'ils veulent! And we're off! The first song was immediately a hit which everyone joined in with. When singer Hakim "Bouchkour" Meridja mounted the stage with his beautiful Arabic voice, the first deafening applause sounded. Hakim is hugely popular with the audience and provided us with delightful melodies, and sound breaks, all evening. The second vocalist Aurélien "Komlan" Zohou was thus the perfect counterbalance with his recognizable, low and raw voice. The two exploded an energy bomb in the first ten minutes and the AB loved it; every song was sung along with.
Of course, Dub Inc is on tour to present their new album Paradise, and that's what they did by switching the songs with older songs such as the energetic Dos à dos. Chaque nouvelle page was the first song of their new album that they played that evening, and already the crowd sang along which goes to show the number of loyal fans. The vibes were amazing throughout the concert; and there was no low point in the setlist, the crowd sang along with every song, there was a lot of variation and everybody was dancing non-stop.
The popular band's music is not just idle banter. They are very critical of society in their lyrics and they often address social or other problems. Métissage, Paradise, Better Run, the big tunes succeeded each other quickly. Sound breaks and sweet melody, the band mixed it beautifully with voices in French, Arabic and English. Then, it was time for Il faut qu'on ose, the first reggae number with an accordion? (Dixit Visionz). The happy song made everyone dance and it sounded really good at the AB.
One person was missing, Skarra Mucci, one of the artists who was a guest on their new album. The song They want is a happy reggae song which pleased everyone and Aurélien neatly filled in Skarra Mucci's part. After some fun with the audience, the show ended for the first time at 10pm. There was a deafening noise, as if one were down at the football stadium, and the men quickly remounted the stage.
Dub Inc swiftly played for another half hour, with among others Revolution, from the new album, of which they played a delightful dub version. And Paroles Chaines, a beautiful song about slavery. With the hit Rudeboy (used in the documentary of the same name), Dub Inc ended a huge party.
Bruxelles est là?! Bruxelles est LA!