Rototom Free the two day event which just came to an end at the Parco del Cormor in Udine was warmly received by the Rototom massive. On both evenings, the energy from the crowd was truly extraordinary and reminiscent of the atmosphere at previous edition of the festival in Friuli. It was exactly what we wanted it to be - a big peaceful celebration of music in spite of the sense of disappointment about what has happened to Rototom Sunsplash in Italy.
Of course, it wasn't short of great musical moments either with splendid concerts by Sud Sound System, Fantan Mojah and Alpha Blondy. Not forgetting of course all the groups and sound systems who performed in the Dancehall Yard, in particular the amazing closing set by Supersonic. You can read a short account of Rototom Free on this site and plus see the list of winning ticket numbers in our lottery which will enable some lucky person to go to Sunsplash in Spain for free! Once again a huge thank you to everyone who came to show support.
To find out what happened on Saturday, read the diary of the second day:
21:00h. Playa Desnuda
Opening the dances for the second night of Rototom Free, after a hot afternoon, was tasked to the "Udinesi" Playa Desnuda, and for their crazy and fun approach to upbeat music. There's plenty of them and they came on stage with a brilliant wind instrument section and a guitar player who enforced the sound with rock whips. The concert opened with "Sabbia Scura" from their second album "Burning Love", followed by reggae by "Forma e Sostanza" who delivered a much appreciated version of "Stop that train", with some 99 Posse quotations. Their skill for putting together numerous different influences and transforming them into reggae was clearly demonstrated in a beautiful version of "No Te Quiero" dedicated to Sunsplash in Benicàssim and ending with a "danceable"version of the song "Just can't get enough" by Depeche Mode.
22.00h. Sydney Salmon
After Playa Desnuda it was time for some orthodox roots reggae's by Sydney Salmon, the Jamaican artist who realised his repatriation and now lives in Shashamane in the Ethiopian territories which Haile Selassie gave to Jamaican Rastas who wanted to go back to live in mother Africa when he returned to power. The slow and deep riddims of his music created a magical atmosphere at Cormor as the sun began to set, reminding the crowd about the inseparable link between reggae and its African roots.
23:30h. House of Riddim/Zareb/Fantan Mojah
A sign of the internationalisation of the Jamaican reggae scene, is that Jamaican artists such Fantan Mojah or Zareb are sharing stages with top notch European backing bands, in this case the Austria's "House of Riddim". This band is also a record company that recently produced fabulous albums with some artists from the "Reggae Island", including Natty King. The singer Zareb, also known as Mr. Flash delivered a fabulous introduction set, with all his best hits and a great repertoire of dances and jumps up until Mojah's hit the scene. The Bobo Dread had his hair bounded by the infallible turban and the usual backpack on his shoulders, which he calls "Bag of love". Fantan unleashed himself with great energy and new roots and dancehall, performing all his most popular hits, from "Stronger" to "Hungry", dancing and jumping too. Mojah stirred up the audience with several Lion roars, and at the end of the show invited a couple in love on to the stage, asking them to exchange a passionate kiss. With a serious Rastafarian dedication and great comedy, he quoted many of his colleagues from Sizzla to Jah Cure, closing his set even with an almost an incredible Lady Gaga lyric, supported by Zareb in countermelody.
2:00h. Alpha Blondy
Before we talk about the African king of Reggae, we would like to shout "Big up!" to the many sound systems who smashed it in the dancehall yard, showing the huge passion and importance of promoting reggae culture and the sound system scene. Each one pulled out their own style, endeavouring to be original and each bringing their own flavour. Although clearly different thing from a concert, a good dancehall with a good selecter creating the vibes and a good MC to boost the massive, can bring unforgettable moments just like the two hours in which Supersonic from Berlin close the dancehall yard on the last night..
Getting back to the main stage, the audience welcomed Alpha Blondy's on stage with a considerable rumbling before the beginning of a barrage of reggae riddims, played by the, as always, very precise and mighty band. Alpha immediately appeared in great shape and rising to the occasion performed a few classic hits, starting with a majestic version of "Jerusalem". We have seen him in action several times at Rivellino, and we know the Ivorian knows how to shake the massive, but every time he astonishes us with his huge energy. After a short break comes back on stage delivering the usual and personal tribute to Bob Marley's "Heathen", followed by a fervent reggae version of "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. The two rich hours of concert ended with a magnificent version of "Brigadier Savari'".
This is how Rototom Free concluded, and it's time to give hugs to all of you whom have been with us for two magic nights with your smiles, your colours, your particular and unique way of moving, dancing, kissing people near you. It's time to go back to your lives with the certainty of seeing many of you in Spain at the end of August...
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