Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2010

By Viktoria Spratter on Monday, September 6, 2010 - Photos by Michael Grein - 2 comments

No rain will ever destroy the mood of this festival weekend!

The Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2010 presented a great line up with Gentleman, Alpha Blondy, Anthony B, Alborosie and a lot more. Unfortunately the scheduled shows of Sizzla and The Wailers were cancelled.

29 000 people celebrated three days of Reggae in front of the majestic mountains of the Bavarian Alps. From Friday 27th till Sunday 29th of August the Chiemsee Reggae Summer could document a new record attendance despite the rainy weather. Most of the visitors came already with gumboots and braved rain and mud at the festival area as well as at the camping grounds – these visitors obviously have experience with the typical weather of the Chiemsee Reggae!

Friday: Anthony B, Gentleman…

The line up of the three days was mixed of Reggae artists from all over the globe - but especially from Jamaica and Germany. After Ziggi & The Renaissance Band, Martin Jondo, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Glen Washington & The Dubby Conquerors, Anthony B and Gentleman were the most expected highlights on Friday on the main scene. Both did a great show in front of many people. At Gentleman’s concert the place was overcrowded as we know it from his previous concerts in Germany. Later Anthony B joined the German Reggae artist on stage for one song. On the second stage The Jolly Boys from Jamaica and Cornadoor, a German Newcomer, played before Shantel & The Bucovina Club Orkestar entered the stage. Though they are not playing Reggae they made the biggest party of the whole festival. The band with the energetic Balkan Beats gave also a clear statement against Homophobia - like many other artists on the festival.

Saturday: Fantan Mojah, Jah Mason, Alpha Blondy…

On Saturday many German reggae artists came on the stages. Jamaram, Jahcoustix, Culcha Candela, Uwe Kaa & One Drop Band, Ganjaman & Uwe Banton are just few names – not to forget Fettes Brot! Fettes Brot was celebrated enormously, such as most of the German bands, also Culcha Candela and Ganjaman. The relatively young visitors of the festival knew every song and the lyrics. Sometimes it seemed to be a little bit hard for the Non-German groups to get and elate a big audience which knew their songs – so at Alpha Blondy’s concert. The massive at his show wasn’t that big compared to the German bands, which was kind of sad for an artist of his brilliance. Despite of it Alpha Blondy & The Solar System were fantastic!
Fantan Mojah and his famous “Lion Paw”, Jah Mason, Pat Kelly and especially Doreen Shaffer also gave the massive what they wanted – great shows of Reggae and Ska.

Sunday: Alborosie, Mono & Nikitaman, Busy Signal…

The last festival day was marked by two changes in program. After Africa Unite, a great Italian group with already 29 years of experience on stage, the first change happened. The Wailers didn’t come and nobody knew why they cancelled their concert. Marlene Johnson, one of the festival presenters and Reggae singer, filled the gap. The German Rap-Artist Samy Deluxe & Tsunami Band was next, followed by Alborosie and Mono & Nikitaman. Alborosie who has an Italian and Jamaican passport, was in very good mood and fascinated the massive with his powerful Reggae. The well known Reggae/Dancehall Duo Mono & Nikitaman celebrated their last concert of their great festival season this year with a spectacular light show. They were deeply moved of this last festival concert and the elated audience. Because Sizzla’s show was cancelled Busy Signal, the well-known Dancehall star from Jamaica, entered the stage as last act on the main stage of the Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2010. On the second stage Desorden Público, a great South American Ska group, Pablo Moses and Omar Perry, the son of Lee 'Scratch' Perry, played amongst others great concerts. People were dancing until the late night.

Thanks to a good organization and the good vibes of the visitors the Chiemsee Reggae Summer is by now one of the biggest Reggae festivals in Europe. No rain will ever destroy the mood of this festival weekend!