07-02-2006, 11:12 PM
6/23-25/6/2006
It was a new venue and a new crew. Rock Med didn't do it this year. The crew from Reggae on the River did. From 11AM 'til about 4, it was 110 degrees. About 5000 people attending, camped out in a cow field with no shade. The main stage was directly in the sun - we nicknamed it the skillet. Medical had the best camping site, the only real shady grove, but there was a huge wasp nest in the middle and in the evenings, swarms of mosquitos rose from the stagnant creek next to the site. It was a medical catastrophy waiting to happen.
All that being said, it was a blast. There was only one chaotic incident, actually three simultaneous ones, that tested our medical system, and that wasn't severe, it was just absurd. Musically, the first night blew me away. I caught the tail end of Baaba Mal, which was delightful. Then I stumbled over to an amazing Dancehall DJed by Jah Shaka. Outside, a ripping drum circle formed and the dancing goddesses emerged. There is nothing like a jamming drum circle and women skilled in African dance. That night turned out to be the climax of the show musically for me. Earlier that day, Luna Angel and Amadou & Mariam were very mediocre, despite good press. Saturday, Mad Professor was amusing but he was late and I got bored waiting. Gregory Isaac's Night Nurse is anthemic for me, so that was fun. I was looking forward to Misty in Roots, but they didn't hit me as hard as they did early this year at the Raggamuffin. Went searching for more Dancehall and drum circles in the wee hours, but it didn't emerge. Sunday was a blur. We left before it was over.
I'm looking forward to next year at that venue.
It was a new venue and a new crew. Rock Med didn't do it this year. The crew from Reggae on the River did. From 11AM 'til about 4, it was 110 degrees. About 5000 people attending, camped out in a cow field with no shade. The main stage was directly in the sun - we nicknamed it the skillet. Medical had the best camping site, the only real shady grove, but there was a huge wasp nest in the middle and in the evenings, swarms of mosquitos rose from the stagnant creek next to the site. It was a medical catastrophy waiting to happen.
All that being said, it was a blast. There was only one chaotic incident, actually three simultaneous ones, that tested our medical system, and that wasn't severe, it was just absurd. Musically, the first night blew me away. I caught the tail end of Baaba Mal, which was delightful. Then I stumbled over to an amazing Dancehall DJed by Jah Shaka. Outside, a ripping drum circle formed and the dancing goddesses emerged. There is nothing like a jamming drum circle and women skilled in African dance. That night turned out to be the climax of the show musically for me. Earlier that day, Luna Angel and Amadou & Mariam were very mediocre, despite good press. Saturday, Mad Professor was amusing but he was late and I got bored waiting. Gregory Isaac's Night Nurse is anthemic for me, so that was fun. I was looking forward to Misty in Roots, but they didn't hit me as hard as they did early this year at the Raggamuffin. Went searching for more Dancehall and drum circles in the wee hours, but it didn't emerge. Sunday was a blur. We left before it was over.
I'm looking forward to next year at that venue.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse