With 28 editions under its belt, the Summerjam Festival is now older than the average age of its visitors. What began in 1986 as a one-day experiment quickly became the mother of all reggae festivals in Europe, an unmissable fixture in the international events calendar. Since 1996, the Fühlinger See, an artificial lake in the north of Cologne, has been the meeting place, a legendary place of pilgrimage for reggae fans. Every year in early July, its tranquillity gives way to a three-day utopia. Line-up, site and festival-goers: this chord of three notes is the foundation of Summerjam's success. 2013 was no exception to the rule.
Friday 5 July 2013
French visitors have the choice between a calm prelude and a discovery of the German reggae scene. Berliner Ganjaman opens the festival on the Green Stage, the smaller of the two stages. Singer, producer, sound technician, stage manager and more, Ganjaman is a pillar of the reggae movement in Germany, even if he is often underrated. At Summerjam, he performs with Feueralarm, who have become one of the most interesting bands in Germany. It is also with Feueralarm that Uwe Banton plays after him. Like Ganjaman, Uwe Banton has been active since the 1980s, but he sings in Jamaican English. Like Ganjaman, he is an established figure on the German scene without ever really having broken through. At home in Ghana, Rocky Dawuni is already a superstar with his unique blend of reggae and afrobeat. Abroad, he is not unknown either - his track Download The Revolution was part of the soundtrack of Electronic Arts' video game FIFA 2010. CNN even considers Rocky Dawuni one of the ten most influential artists on the African continent today. With his talented Los Angeles band, Rocky Dawuni delivers a remarkable performance (few will manage to keep up this musical level this weekend), but unfortunately he doesn't have the audience he deserved.
Max Romeo follows him. He is replacing Ken Boothe, who cancelled his European tour. « I shouldn't even be here », says Max Romeo, who has even brought a horn section with him. Modesty is a virtue, but this legendary figure has no need of it. The crowd in front of the Green Stage is won over by both him and his songs. Max Romeo proves a worthy stand-in for the rocksteady legend, who is far less often on the road in Germany than he is in France.
At the same time, Matisyahu changes register completely on the Red Stage, Summerjam's biggest stage. With his album "Spark Seeker", the New Yorker, now based in Los Angeles, moves even further from his pop-reggae roots. On content, he prefers to ask questions rather than give answers, and seems less detached from reality. He proves his new closeness to the fans by inviting them to dance with him on stage. It is one of those typical Summerjam moments that make this festival something special. Here, everybody parties together, not just the 30,000 official paying visitors. This feeling of unity is the defining characteristic of this festival.
The festival's wide musical choice has one enormous drawback: wherever you are, you are missing something. Being spoilt for choice sometimes becomes critical. How to choose between Busy Signal and Romain Virgo? A tough decision… Numerically, Busy wins. He has his crowd well in hand and sends out "Reggae Music Again", and there isn't much room left in front of the Red Stage. Many journalists are raving about his appearance. We missed it: we were in front of the Green Stage, listening to Romain Virgo. After a few rare concerts with sound systems, Romain finally appears live with a band. He refocuses on the roots side of his work - and he shines.
Another crucial choice: Tarrus Riley or Snoop Lion? High-quality roots reggae or mainstream pop reggae? High musical standards or bling-bling in full pomp? Never have we seen so many people in front of the Red Stage. Not even in 2010 when Gentleman recorded his DVD "Diversitiy Live" there. Anyone who now notices that he is hungry or goes looking for toilets is forced to zigzag through several tens of thousands of people.
Snoop keeps us waiting. He is entitled to: he is the most successful artist to have performed at Summerjam. He demanded three dressing rooms for himself. It is said that he and his entourage travel in seven limousines. Impossible to verify: the backstage area is completely sealed off for him. The giant screen that now forms the backdrop of the stage sparkles. Scenes from the documentary "Reincarnated" make up the intro.
Snoop Lion ©Olivier Bobelim
The modesty that characterises Snoop's show was predictable: it starts with Here Comes The King, and three astonishingly supple dancers pave the way for Snoop, who walks on stage with a blunt and a terribly bling-bling microphone. And with the unassailable cool attitude of someone who has already proved everything to the world. Apart from two or three tracks from his album "Reincarnated" and a Bob Marley T-shirt, Snoop is completely Dogg tonight and not at all Lion. His setlist consists mainly of his hip-hop classics. The audience enjoys it, and so do we - Snoop the rapper is much better than Snoop the reggaeman. Better and more convincing. Snoop Lion‘s a dog, but the Dogg‘s a God. After exactly one hour, the show is over. Without saying goodbye, Snoop leaves the stage, gets into one of the limousines waiting for him near the stage and heads off to Luxembourg, where another concert awaits.
It is still far too early to fall asleep after Snoop's show. The remaining option is the Dancehall Arena. Tonight, the long walk is worth it only for supporters of the German sound systems. Phonatics HiFi is a young sound from Chemnitz. They are playing a big festival for the first time after winning an online Summerjam poll. Long established internationally, the local heroes of Pow Pow Movement have home advantage. Over the last few years, Stuttgart has become what Cologne was for a long time: the unofficial German capital of dancehall. The Jugglerz, for their part, are well on their way to becoming the most important sound system in Germany. And this although Shotta Paul and DJ Meska only broke away from Sentinel Sound last year.
Saturday 6 July 2013
It is even hotter than the day before, and the sun beats down hard from the sky. The second day starts more quietly: like Ganjaman and Uwe Banton, Martin Zobel is one of those German roots reggae artists who, despite their undeniable abilities and consistent work, are still waiting for their breakthrough. Those who got up early enough have the privilege of following the concert in a relaxed atmosphere, with tracks from his latest album "Land Of The Free", recorded with his excellent band Soulrise in California at bassist Philip "Fully" Fullwood's. The big names come afterwards.
Turbulence and Warrior King share a slot. Warrior King starts and immediately puts the audience on his side. Shade is scarce, but his smooth lovers style is pleasant. Never mind that he has never repeated the successes of Virtous Woman and Never Go Where The Pagans Go. His young classics work flat out and open the way for Turbulence, true to himself. After an excellent start, Turbulence's career is sadly in slow motion, and looking for a second wind. Junior Kelly, for his part, unquestionably belongs among the Jamaican artists fully established in Europe. Baby Can We Meet pleases the girls a lot, and his version of Three O'Clock Roadblock pleases everybody. By this time, the Red Stage is already well filled. Junior Kelly has no fear of contact with his audience, going down to meet them for Believe In Yourself.
At the same time, Chronixx plays on the Green Stage. He is the spearhead of the roots reggae revival movement in Jamaica. While he doesn't yet have in his own country the importance he is given here, you quickly understand the reasons for his rise when you see him on stage. With his band ZincFence, the rapport is perfect. His roots tracks go down as well as his more dancehall titles. Start A Fyah, Smile Jamaica, Beat And A Mic, Here Comes Trouble, it's all there. Protoje, who will play the next day, dances at the edge of the stage throughout the whole show. (Once again one of those moments unique to Summerjam). Chronixx's concert is a highlight of the festival. « Now we can go home », smiles my London colleague Angus Taylor.
At Summerjam, around a quarter of the visitors come from France, and French is the festival's second language. After all, Cologne is easily reached from Paris, and more than one German visitor has a far more complicated travel itinerary. The organisers know this. Every year, they bring in two or three artists little known outside France. Like Biga Ranx, for example, as unknown in Germany as Ganjaman is in France. And that although Biga doesn't have the problem of being understood linguistically. A shame that Morgan Heritage play at the same time on the Red Stage. When we find him in his dressing room, Biga Ranx's face is radiant and happy all the same: « I really hope I can come back! » Dancehall fans at Summerjam hope so too.
After five years away from the stage as Morgan Heritage, Summerjam visitors are ready to welcome these world-famous entertainers. They do not disappoint. Jemere, Gramps' son, opens briefly with Neighborhood Girl, then the second generation of the Morgans carries the show. The Red Stage is packed, and apparently Tell Me How Come is a question that several tens of thousands of festival-goers are asking themselves too.
Alborosie follows them on stage, which says a lot about the Sicilian's success. If Gentleman weren't from Cologne, Alborosie would certainly be the headliner tonight. A high point of the show is Kingston Town, for which Puppa Albo invites Gramps Morgan to join him. He also takes up a few lines of Don't Haffi Dread. Despite the crowds at Alborosie's concert, Popcaan, on the Green Stage, is not playing to an empty field. Perfectly backed by the French band Dub Akom, Popcaan treats his audience. The future will tell whether he is built to last, but tonight, his show delights the dancehall faction.
The artists follow one another without resembling each other. After Popcaan's little voice, we head to Richie Stephens' concert. He is one of the most underrated artists and his voice is one of the finest in the genre, as his latest album "Real Reggae Music" suggests. Too brief, Richie Stephens' show serves as an opener for his good friend Gentleman. He too has a new album in his luggage, and is celebrating his 20th anniversary on stage. Gentleman at Summerjam is like Alborosie at Rototom Sunsplash: an easy home match with surprises that stay in the memory. At ease and right at home, Gentleman throws an extraordinary party. The show peaks with the brief appearances of Richie Stephens (who sings Barrington Levy's Murderer), and Alborosie (who gives a superb rendition of Buju Banton's Murderer). Those who know Gentleman's DVD "Diversity Live" are not surprised by the gentle, meditative end to the concert with Memories, an ode to a dear departed friend.
At the same time, what is happening on the Green Stage has almost nothing to do with Gentleman's music. Major Lazer (Diplo, Walshy Fire, Jillionaire) throw a party the likes of which has never been seen at Summerjam. Stage diving in giant balloons, we'll say no more... Where Diplo found the energy to mix even later in the Dancehall Arena remains a mystery. The rest of the night is shaped by DJ Rakka with his chest of eminently well-matched dubplates, and two sound systems whose supporters will probably never agree on who is number one in Germany: Sentinel Sound or Silly Walks.
Major Lazer ©Stefan Mann
Sunday 7 July 2013
Sundays at Summerjam are generally more laid-back than the two previous days. Over the course of the day, the island empties out a little. It is at least as hot as yesterday. "Dust And Dirt" would be an appropriate motto for the last day. It is also the title of The Black Seeds' latest album. Few people in Europe know the immensity of the New Zealand reggae scene. Bands such as The Black Seeds and Fat Freddy's Drop are only the tip of the iceberg, even if New Zealand reggae is often decried as the musical accompaniment to barbecues. Be that as it may, the dub and funk blend of this Wellington band is perfect for savouring the weekend's last lunch in the afternoon sun.
Make way for the francophone contingent: Broussaï plays on the same stage in the same slot as Danakil, Manjul and Natty Jean a year earlier. Unlike Danakil, who have already toured Germany twice, the lads from Mâcon are still largely unknown here. But several thousand French people have come to support them. The vast majority of them sing the words by heart, while the band speaks to the audience in English. After the show, the team are visibly delighted with their first Summerjam appearance, a real springboard to the East.
After this short excursion to France, it's back to New Zealand. Fat Freddy's Drop have become mainstream in Germany. The press above all celebrates the troupe's energetic live performances. Their show today is no exception. But the tempo is relaxed enough to save a little energy for the rest of the evening. Raggasonic make the Green Stage rock but we will only see it from afar. There is sometimes no satisfactory solution to these Cornelian dilemmas at Summerjam. Protoje is playing on the Red Stage. He performs with his own band, The In Digg Nation, and this combination is perfect. What a pleasure! Two hours before the end of the festival, we realise it was a good idea not to go home after Chronixx.
Sunday's headliner is not really a surprise: Patrice is just as much at home at Summerjam as Gentleman. Despite his musical development, Patrice remains a fixed stature, here as elsewhere. The crowd can sing back entire songs. His set includes his big classics from the "Ancient Spirit" era and brand-new tracks from his upcoming album "The Rising Of The Son", which heads in a more reggae direction. Then the biggest fireworks display ever seen here explodes all around the Fühlinger See. A few eyes even fill with tears. It is the last of those moments unique to Summerjam.
©Stefan Mann
French visitors have the choice between a calm prelude and a discovery of the German reggae scene. Berliner Ganjaman opens the festival on the Green Stage, the smaller of the two stages. Singer, producer, sound technician, stage manager and more, Ganjaman is a pillar of the reggae movement in Germany, even if he is often underrated. At Summerjam, he performs with Feueralarm, who have become one of the most interesting bands in Germany. It is also with Feueralarm that Uwe Banton plays after him. Like Ganjaman, Uwe Banton has been active since the 1980s, but he sings in Jamaican English. Like Ganjaman, he is an established figure on the German scene without ever really having broken through. At home in Ghana, Rocky Dawuni is already a superstar with his unique blend of reggae and afrobeat. Abroad, he is not unknown either - his track Download The Revolution was part of the soundtrack of Electronic Arts' video game FIFA 2010. CNN even considers Rocky Dawuni one of the ten most influential artists on the African continent today. With his talented Los Angeles band, Rocky Dawuni delivers a remarkable performance (few will manage to keep up this musical level this weekend), but unfortunately he doesn't have the audience he deserved.
Max Romeo follows him. He is replacing Ken Boothe, who cancelled his European tour. « I shouldn't even be here », says Max Romeo, who has even brought a horn section with him. Modesty is a virtue, but this legendary figure has no need of it. The crowd in front of the Green Stage is won over by both him and his songs. Max Romeo proves a worthy stand-in for the rocksteady legend, who is far less often on the road in Germany than he is in France.
At the same time, Matisyahu changes register completely on the Red Stage, Summerjam's biggest stage. With his album "Spark Seeker", the New Yorker, now based in Los Angeles, moves even further from his pop-reggae roots. On content, he prefers to ask questions rather than give answers, and seems less detached from reality. He proves his new closeness to the fans by inviting them to dance with him on stage. It is one of those typical Summerjam moments that make this festival something special. Here, everybody parties together, not just the 30,000 official paying visitors. This feeling of unity is the defining characteristic of this festival.
The festival's wide musical choice has one enormous drawback: wherever you are, you are missing something. Being spoilt for choice sometimes becomes critical. How to choose between Busy Signal and Romain Virgo? A tough decision… Numerically, Busy wins. He has his crowd well in hand and sends out "Reggae Music Again", and there isn't much room left in front of the Red Stage. Many journalists are raving about his appearance. We missed it: we were in front of the Green Stage, listening to Romain Virgo. After a few rare concerts with sound systems, Romain finally appears live with a band. He refocuses on the roots side of his work - and he shines.
Another crucial choice: Tarrus Riley or Snoop Lion? High-quality roots reggae or mainstream pop reggae? High musical standards or bling-bling in full pomp? Never have we seen so many people in front of the Red Stage. Not even in 2010 when Gentleman recorded his DVD "Diversitiy Live" there. Anyone who now notices that he is hungry or goes looking for toilets is forced to zigzag through several tens of thousands of people.
Snoop keeps us waiting. He is entitled to: he is the most successful artist to have performed at Summerjam. He demanded three dressing rooms for himself. It is said that he and his entourage travel in seven limousines. Impossible to verify: the backstage area is completely sealed off for him. The giant screen that now forms the backdrop of the stage sparkles. Scenes from the documentary "Reincarnated" make up the intro.
Snoop Lion ©Olivier Bobelim
The modesty that characterises Snoop's show was predictable: it starts with Here Comes The King, and three astonishingly supple dancers pave the way for Snoop, who walks on stage with a blunt and a terribly bling-bling microphone. And with the unassailable cool attitude of someone who has already proved everything to the world. Apart from two or three tracks from his album "Reincarnated" and a Bob Marley T-shirt, Snoop is completely Dogg tonight and not at all Lion. His setlist consists mainly of his hip-hop classics. The audience enjoys it, and so do we - Snoop the rapper is much better than Snoop the reggaeman. Better and more convincing. Snoop Lion‘s a dog, but the Dogg‘s a God. After exactly one hour, the show is over. Without saying goodbye, Snoop leaves the stage, gets into one of the limousines waiting for him near the stage and heads off to Luxembourg, where another concert awaits.
It is still far too early to fall asleep after Snoop's show. The remaining option is the Dancehall Arena. Tonight, the long walk is worth it only for supporters of the German sound systems. Phonatics HiFi is a young sound from Chemnitz. They are playing a big festival for the first time after winning an online Summerjam poll. Long established internationally, the local heroes of Pow Pow Movement have home advantage. Over the last few years, Stuttgart has become what Cologne was for a long time: the unofficial German capital of dancehall. The Jugglerz, for their part, are well on their way to becoming the most important sound system in Germany. And this although Shotta Paul and DJ Meska only broke away from Sentinel Sound last year.
Saturday 6 July 2013
It is even hotter than the day before, and the sun beats down hard from the sky. The second day starts more quietly: like Ganjaman and Uwe Banton, Martin Zobel is one of those German roots reggae artists who, despite their undeniable abilities and consistent work, are still waiting for their breakthrough. Those who got up early enough have the privilege of following the concert in a relaxed atmosphere, with tracks from his latest album "Land Of The Free", recorded with his excellent band Soulrise in California at bassist Philip "Fully" Fullwood's. The big names come afterwards.
Turbulence and Warrior King share a slot. Warrior King starts and immediately puts the audience on his side. Shade is scarce, but his smooth lovers style is pleasant. Never mind that he has never repeated the successes of Virtous Woman and Never Go Where The Pagans Go. His young classics work flat out and open the way for Turbulence, true to himself. After an excellent start, Turbulence's career is sadly in slow motion, and looking for a second wind. Junior Kelly, for his part, unquestionably belongs among the Jamaican artists fully established in Europe. Baby Can We Meet pleases the girls a lot, and his version of Three O'Clock Roadblock pleases everybody. By this time, the Red Stage is already well filled. Junior Kelly has no fear of contact with his audience, going down to meet them for Believe In Yourself.
At the same time, Chronixx plays on the Green Stage. He is the spearhead of the roots reggae revival movement in Jamaica. While he doesn't yet have in his own country the importance he is given here, you quickly understand the reasons for his rise when you see him on stage. With his band ZincFence, the rapport is perfect. His roots tracks go down as well as his more dancehall titles. Start A Fyah, Smile Jamaica, Beat And A Mic, Here Comes Trouble, it's all there. Protoje, who will play the next day, dances at the edge of the stage throughout the whole show. (Once again one of those moments unique to Summerjam). Chronixx's concert is a highlight of the festival. « Now we can go home », smiles my London colleague Angus Taylor.
At Summerjam, around a quarter of the visitors come from France, and French is the festival's second language. After all, Cologne is easily reached from Paris, and more than one German visitor has a far more complicated travel itinerary. The organisers know this. Every year, they bring in two or three artists little known outside France. Like Biga Ranx, for example, as unknown in Germany as Ganjaman is in France. And that although Biga doesn't have the problem of being understood linguistically. A shame that Morgan Heritage play at the same time on the Red Stage. When we find him in his dressing room, Biga Ranx's face is radiant and happy all the same: « I really hope I can come back! » Dancehall fans at Summerjam hope so too.
After five years away from the stage as Morgan Heritage, Summerjam visitors are ready to welcome these world-famous entertainers. They do not disappoint. Jemere, Gramps' son, opens briefly with Neighborhood Girl, then the second generation of the Morgans carries the show. The Red Stage is packed, and apparently Tell Me How Come is a question that several tens of thousands of festival-goers are asking themselves too.
Alborosie follows them on stage, which says a lot about the Sicilian's success. If Gentleman weren't from Cologne, Alborosie would certainly be the headliner tonight. A high point of the show is Kingston Town, for which Puppa Albo invites Gramps Morgan to join him. He also takes up a few lines of Don't Haffi Dread. Despite the crowds at Alborosie's concert, Popcaan, on the Green Stage, is not playing to an empty field. Perfectly backed by the French band Dub Akom, Popcaan treats his audience. The future will tell whether he is built to last, but tonight, his show delights the dancehall faction.
The artists follow one another without resembling each other. After Popcaan's little voice, we head to Richie Stephens' concert. He is one of the most underrated artists and his voice is one of the finest in the genre, as his latest album "Real Reggae Music" suggests. Too brief, Richie Stephens' show serves as an opener for his good friend Gentleman. He too has a new album in his luggage, and is celebrating his 20th anniversary on stage. Gentleman at Summerjam is like Alborosie at Rototom Sunsplash: an easy home match with surprises that stay in the memory. At ease and right at home, Gentleman throws an extraordinary party. The show peaks with the brief appearances of Richie Stephens (who sings Barrington Levy's Murderer), and Alborosie (who gives a superb rendition of Buju Banton's Murderer). Those who know Gentleman's DVD "Diversity Live" are not surprised by the gentle, meditative end to the concert with Memories, an ode to a dear departed friend.
At the same time, what is happening on the Green Stage has almost nothing to do with Gentleman's music. Major Lazer (Diplo, Walshy Fire, Jillionaire) throw a party the likes of which has never been seen at Summerjam. Stage diving in giant balloons, we'll say no more... Where Diplo found the energy to mix even later in the Dancehall Arena remains a mystery. The rest of the night is shaped by DJ Rakka with his chest of eminently well-matched dubplates, and two sound systems whose supporters will probably never agree on who is number one in Germany: Sentinel Sound or Silly Walks.
Major Lazer ©Stefan Mann
Sunday 7 July 2013
Sundays at Summerjam are generally more laid-back than the two previous days. Over the course of the day, the island empties out a little. It is at least as hot as yesterday. "Dust And Dirt" would be an appropriate motto for the last day. It is also the title of The Black Seeds' latest album. Few people in Europe know the immensity of the New Zealand reggae scene. Bands such as The Black Seeds and Fat Freddy's Drop are only the tip of the iceberg, even if New Zealand reggae is often decried as the musical accompaniment to barbecues. Be that as it may, the dub and funk blend of this Wellington band is perfect for savouring the weekend's last lunch in the afternoon sun.
Make way for the francophone contingent: Broussaï plays on the same stage in the same slot as Danakil, Manjul and Natty Jean a year earlier. Unlike Danakil, who have already toured Germany twice, the lads from Mâcon are still largely unknown here. But several thousand French people have come to support them. The vast majority of them sing the words by heart, while the band speaks to the audience in English. After the show, the team are visibly delighted with their first Summerjam appearance, a real springboard to the East.
After this short excursion to France, it's back to New Zealand. Fat Freddy's Drop have become mainstream in Germany. The press above all celebrates the troupe's energetic live performances. Their show today is no exception. But the tempo is relaxed enough to save a little energy for the rest of the evening. Raggasonic make the Green Stage rock but we will only see it from afar. There is sometimes no satisfactory solution to these Cornelian dilemmas at Summerjam. Protoje is playing on the Red Stage. He performs with his own band, The In Digg Nation, and this combination is perfect. What a pleasure! Two hours before the end of the festival, we realise it was a good idea not to go home after Chronixx.
Sunday's headliner is not really a surprise: Patrice is just as much at home at Summerjam as Gentleman. Despite his musical development, Patrice remains a fixed stature, here as elsewhere. The crowd can sing back entire songs. His set includes his big classics from the "Ancient Spirit" era and brand-new tracks from his upcoming album "The Rising Of The Son", which heads in a more reggae direction. Then the biggest fireworks display ever seen here explodes all around the Fühlinger See. A few eyes even fill with tears. It is the last of those moments unique to Summerjam.
©Stefan Mann
Report written by Valentin Zill