What was your most memorable experience of Rototom Sunsplash 2010 and did it meet your expectations?
The crowd chanting ETANA, ETANA over and over for an encore, that was surreal to me. I still remember the big loud horns that can be heard from miles away. Based on the change of venue I didn’t expect to see that many people or for it to be better than it was when I performed in Italy 2008.
Describe the set up of the festival?
Tents neatly spread across a big land space looking like a forest. In the tents you could buy fabric, jewelry, food, music, learn belly dancing and there was also a reggae university tent, where patrons could learn more Jamaica. There were two stages, both powered by solar energy one for up coming bands and the other for the head liners. Both stages looked just about the same. No glass was used for serving refreshments it was all recycled cups. People relaxed on mats, camped out, danced by the stages, while some shopped. Very peaceful, loving culture filled environment.
What are the songs you performed and which ones climaxed your show?
August town, Jimmy Cliff’s You can get it, Blessing, I’m not afraid had a choir backing from the audience. There was much dancing and excitement throughout. People climbed on each others shoulders, star lights, bubbles, huge balloons were in the air and it was a fun filled time. I also sang Free, Warrior love, Crazy love, Roots and Nuclear. For my encore stint was Redemption song and One drop.
What was your most interesting finding on this trip?
People really, really, really love reggae music and it is not dying.
Who were some of the other Jamaican performers on the show, were you able to catch them in action?
Yeah Chuck Fenda made the crowd Erupt many times as well as Marcia Griffiths. People did not want to leave after the Abyssinians closing performance, so all the artistes went back on stage and performed “One Love” together. It was a Beautiful ending to a great night. The eight days long festival had other performers such as: The Mighty diamonds, Wayne Wonder, Romain Virgo, Busy Signal and Alborosie.
Are you going back to Europe for the remainder of 2010?
Yeah on tour this October and November.
Your tour dates are?
Etana Upcoming Tour dates:
October 14 Rome
October 15 Finland
October 21 Cardiff
October 22 Manchester
October 23 Birmingham
October 24 London
October 25 Amsterdam Melkweg
October 26 Malmo Sweden
October 27 Norkopping Sweden
October 28 Geneve Switzerland
October 29 Gothenburg, Sweden
October 30 Malmo, Sweden
November 5 Poland
November 6 Poland
November 7 Germany
November 11 Zurich Alte kaserne
November 12 Switzerland
November 13 Switzerland
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