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Reggae Sundance has grown to be one of the leading reggae festivals in Europe attracting around 35,000 visitors every year from all over Europe. This year, was the 12th anniversary, the location was perfect on the beach front and the line up of artists has never been so star-studded. Jimmy Cliff, Tony Rebel, Buju Banton, Anthony B, Capleton, Yellow Man, and the one and only Jah Cure! Yes people, we were the first to see the man perform live after 8 years in incarceration and TJJ in da house, taking dis ting GLOBAL! The atmosphere and buzz leading up to Sundance has been nothing short of hysteria. A media circus smothered in a coat of reggae die hards, sprinkled on top with those who just wanted to get a glimpse of Jah Cure. Three days of reggae music, positive vibrations and a message of a better tomorrow. What else could one want? Actually, there was one thing, moving Jah Cure from the last act on the last day to the first cause the anticipation was murder!

At Sundance as at most festivals in Europe, there is a Festival Terrain and a Camping Terrain. On the camping terrain people crash in tents where the lime is nice especially at the end of the day when all the performances are finished. Sound systems rule here, but actually a boom box would also do cause people are usually so "nice" that a cowboy with a banjo could cut it! Seriously, if you're not scared of probably being wet from rain, or the freezing cold of night and not too much of someone wanting a nice warm shower and clean bed, then the camping thing is just for you. Unfortunately I am not that type, so it was off to a hotel for me. I made it my business to crash at the same hotel as the artists performing at the festival cause every soundboy thinks the same way..... dubplates!! ;-) So, TJJ very present and we rubbing shoulders with the heavy hitters.

FRIDAY AND THE CAMPING IS FIRST TO OPEN. No live performances on the Festival Terrain today. Everything going down in the camping and everybody ready like freddy. A quick make sure that your tent up, sturdy and as water-proof as possible cause you never know, and then its off to the main tent but only if you have a camping pass. Pay or suck salt cause Queen Ifrica, Anthony B and Buju Banton were waiting to break all hell loose over dey so! Then arguably the number one sound in Germany, Soundquake were to take the party into the wee hours of the morning. All the artists were on point. Queen Ifrica as I always said, is an artists very much underrated. She was mad! Anthony B brought his A-game as usual, but skinny boy Gargamel stole the show as always. Buju blazed hit after hit, had energy like a wild rabbit, and gave the crowd another memorable Buju Banton performance. Soundquake then did their best to suck the last bit of life from the left over party animals. People strolled away to their tents, or to the food stalls contented and just happy to be there. For me it was off to the hotel, a nice shower and a clean bed. Heaven, but first a few beers in the lobby and a lil' chill with Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica and Buju!

The first day on the festival terrain and the thing nice. The sun shinning and it warmer than expected. Girls in bikini tops and plenty people chillin by the beach near the camping area. I have been to Sundance before but THIS YEAR THERE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Maybe because the whole Jah Cure vibe had everybody acting extra special nice. Nobody wanting to frak-up the vibe I think. Whatever it was, just being there made you feel good. The weather was sweet and I was enjoying a big plate of jerk chicken that wasn't that hot, just the way I like it, and the captivating sounds of L.U.S.T a collaboration featuring Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody and Tony Curtis.....wicked these four together! They gonna make some waves for sure! Gyptian followed whom I must say, disappointed the socks off of me and I thing most of the ladies (sorry bro!). Natural Black followed and woke up the place before the veterans took over and the reggae vibe was multiplied by 1 million! King Yellow Man, Tony Rebel, Marcia Griffiths ft. Dean Fraiser and Taurus Riley held it down tight, tight, tight. The big guns, Jimmy Cliff and Bunny Wailer then finished up the massacre and now the reality of what was to take place on the final day was upon us. Jah Cure live!

SUNDAY MORNING AND EVERYBODY UP EARLY, the hotel restaurant packed cause everybody have the same intention: get to the festival terrain A.S.A.P and hold down a nice spot because it gonna be a long day. The weather is okay, not like yesterday, but it no matter cause come RAIN OR SUN, nothing could kill this vibe! On the main highway leading to Sundance area traffic like a mother! Luckily we were already inside and didn't have to join the line of people now trying to get a last minute ticket....pressure! Through the main entrance and it also ram! Some DJ (who's name I would not mention) running some jokey tunes and tryin' his best to kill d vibe but it nah wuk! Good opportunity to mingle, make some new friends and get some nice shots in the TJJ name!

There were a few lesser/unknown bands that performed early warming up the crowd. Midnite from St. Croix were definitely the most stand out of them all. Running some nice tune, great musicians and the lead singer bad! Lutan Fyah then led in the big guns with a strong performance. Jah Mason then took the energy to an incredible level with a performance which I think was one of the best from him that I've ever seen. Gregory Isaacs then crooned his way into the hearts and minds of the masses. The rude-loverboy had the ladies and plenty gents singing the lyrics to his "Night Nurse" loud as *peep*. A nice injection and up until now, a perfect festival, with the best part being Capleton was to follow then Jah Cure. Anybody who ever saw Capleton perform know how this self proclaimed king of fire always has one of the most energetic performances. Capleton did indeed bring the energy but, his performance was very short without touching many of his big tunes. Nevertheless, the time had come and there he was. JAH CURE LIVE ON THE STAGE. His first song; "Longing For" filled the air and that distinct voice swept over the crowd, just like on the CD. PERFECTION. People stood in awe, wondrous awe! Singing, swaying, hands in the air, lighters up, rags, flags. Tune after tune it was as if people were even more convinced that coming to this Sundance was a real good decision, because it would definitely be noted as one of the most special concerts ever! Jah Mason then appeared and did a tune with Jah Cure and the place erupted! WHAT A MEMORABLE NIGHT, WHAT A MEMORABLE WEEKEND!

D1 for the TJJ fam
Jam Masters Crew