Rained out International Dub Gathering

After months of drought in the region, the rain kept pouring down for four days, to the despair of the festival-goers, and especially the campers. After the first night, the campsite was already flooded, and the rental tents (which were not reinforced with pickets) remained anything but dry. The organization was not well prepared for the predicted bad weather, and the announced emergency aid on Saturday (with free shuttle to a shelter in the neighborhood) came too late for many. Fortunately, we were able to stay with Belgian friends in a nearby holiday park, after a first wet night on the "Glamping".

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Upon arrival on Thursday, there wasn't a cloud in the sky yet. "How are you feeling?", Errol Arawak aka King Earthquake kicked in an open door, while blasting one heavy dub track after the next through the boxes of Greenlight Soundsystem: "Raw dub a play!" In passing, he also advertised his internet radio (which you can find on his website), broadcast every Monday from 9pm till midnight. A first highlight is the pull up of 'Like A Warryiah' by vocalist Joseph Lalibella. His popular 'Babylon Falling' in collaboration with O.B.F. is also very much appreciated. "When soundsystem a play, it gives you a feeling you can't explain", we can only agree with Earthquake. "Guidance & Itection!"

Inside the Metrodanceclub Don Fe takes us to higher spheres with his productions and live flute, assisted by Dr. Wise from Murica on the microphone, as well as his goddaughter and her mother, with whom Don Fe was in a band about twenty years ago. He also played a Belgian creation, 'Incredible' with Earl Sixteen on vocals over a riddim by Unlisted Fanatic, preceded by the instrumental featuring Moonshine Horns and Chazbo on melodica, which will be available very soon on Sir Runnin'. Earl Sixteen also performed live at the Main Arena on Saturday night longside Jamaican Suns of Dub, taking their tasty set, featuring, among others, a delicious remake of Bob Marley's 'Is This Love?' and live steel drumming by Jah Bami, to an even higher level with a beautiful rendition of 'Let Jah', the successful release by Forward Fever on the label of Indica Dubs.

GOOD FRIDAY

Back A Yard we woke up with classics like 'Ready, Aim, Fire' (Pablo Moses), 'Skylarking' (Horace Andy) and 'Rasta Business' (The Mighty Threes). Just like the day before, UK Principal was chanting his rhymes over various versions played by Jah Life International, followed by Barcelonan Paula Bu once again delivering her calling card with her deep soul voice. Also hailing from the Iberian peninsula: top producer Roberto Sanchez, who not only mixed his own productions live (with 'Trod On' by The Viceroys as an undisputed highlight), but also "original tapes" by artists like Linval Thompson and Freddie McKay, with himself chanting and talking everything together fluently, and unfortunately not allowing sidekick Shanti Yalah to shine much. Kanka from France didn't seem to fiddle with the controls all that much later that night, but none the less was able to charm the Spanish audience with his famous 'Stepper Style', on the excellent Wandem Soundsystem from Bordeaux, who suffered the consequences of the bad weather the day after.

The Spanish Green-Light Soundsystem, which as co-organizer of IDG and Rototom's Dub Academy was allowed to host the Main Arena, opened with Vivian Jones' 'Carry On' (our thoughts wandering to Irie Ilodica, with whom we experienced many a fantastic adventure on Spanish soil), followed by a dubplate of 'Rastafari Is The Way', sung by Eroll Bellott and Dixie Peach. It's just one of many shout outs to Greenlight, who with Maki Banton and Charlie P invited two very fitting MC's, but with Channel One perhaps didn't end up with the most suitable sparring partner. Mikey Dread completely changed course with classics like 'Heavenly Protected' (Steve Santana), a version of 'Satta Massagana' and 'Ethiopian King' by Vivian Jones. "Roots inna yard!", emphasizes Ras Kayleb. Last year they couldn't get on the plane because of a fire at the airport, he explains. This year they've come by land and sea with their complete sound system. "Let Jah be praised!"

HOLY SATURDAY

With, "Tell me what a gwaan?", Murray Man recited of his most famous lyrics early on in his set, referring to the Brexit in England, the yellow vests movement in France and the financial crisis in Spain. With microphone and spliff in his right hand, and his on the mixing board, he spread his "mystical vibes" from his own Mellow Vibes studio, among other including Augustus Pablo, but operating the CD players proved not always easy. Suddenly all eyes, smartphones and photographers were focused on Claire Angel, jumping on top of the turntable and starting to sing in true dancehall style, rough and confident. The young Rasta empress from Birmingham impressed with, among others, 'Selassie I', and in no time became this year's revelation at IDG. "People are you ready?"

By now we were more than ready for Johnny Clarke, who, however, only seemed to be getting steam performing  'Declaration Of Rights' and 'Satta Massagana', his two Abyssinians covers. The microphone volume was set too quiet, and as fatigue had clearly set in, Greenlight's Daddy Sevi  wasn't up for tinkering with his sound much either; well how would you feel when you're still playing in the Bassment until the early hours of the morning? But once again we enjoyed seeing the living legend executing one "hit tune" after another, not infrequently preceded by a short intro of the original, like it used to be traditional in Jamaica. In quick succession we heard 'Roots Natty Congo', 'African Roots' and 'None Shall Escape This Judgement': 'I love H.I.M., observe H.I.M.!'.

Also the same old same old where Martin Campbell was concerned, allowing us to sing along with strong songs undoubtedly stand the test of time, like 'Ignorance & Poverty', 'Rich Man' and 'Wicked Rule', after which we prepared ourselves for the unique sound clash between two legendary dub masters: Mad Professor kicked off with one of his characteristic introductions full of crazy dubs and abundant effects, messy for some, genius for others; unfortunately Scientist's answer was completely overshadowed by the constant presence of a disturbing Spanish  rapper, who soon made us look for a change of scenery. Ital Horns featuring Conscious Sounds & Dubdadda certainly managed to captivate our attention al lot more later on that same evening. Hosts Sinai Soundsystem from Sheffield opened with a successful revamp of Al Campbell's 'Jamming', but the remainder of their set didn't prove our cup of tea. Because of the weather conditions and an early return flight, we would not be returning to the festival on Easter Sunday.

Photos: © International Dub Gathering