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 Photo: Kendal Salzman
Friday October 30
A music and sunshine-filled weekend on a subtropical island across Moreton Bay? It doesn’t get any better than this, my friends. A manic packing procedure and a ferry ride later, we set up camp near the festival site and get amongst it.
Ah, the sweet, molasses-thick bass pulse, got to love thee. Once we’re inside, it’s only a short walk to the Jandaiwal Big Top where Brisbane’s Chocolate Strings are presiding over a funky reggae party. Rich on harmonies and silky sax, the octet’s infectious set reaches an apex with a sped-up rhumba workout. Sporting wicked Erykah Badu-style headgear, roots & soul diva Saritah gets the chilled vibe going near the Biki (aka the Sunshine Stage). Conscious numbers like Blessings and The Journey Is Mine gradually get interspersed with Latin, ska and dancehall flavours until it becomes impossible not to shuffle along. Up next, ex-Idol contestant Ngaiire spreads her conscious soul/R&B message, however as a remarkable singer she could have benefited more from phatter live backing. Coincidentally, Melbourne’s Mista Savona can’t be faulted on any level – opening with a groovalicious instrumental, the powerhouse 12-piece (featuring a ranking MC who grinds in a true Kingston fashion) turn the Jandaiwal tent into a reggae-thon site. The boiling point arrives mid-set, when a guest female dancer steals the show with contest-worthy hip-shaking to an ecstatic African drum solo. Taking the night with them, the collective bow out with lilting recent single By The Way. Last to grace the Sunshine Stage, The Nomad cook up what can be best put as sticky roots-techno-D&B for those not yet depleted of energy; we’re completely danced out by then and head back to the tent. Groovy Friday night – over.
Saturday October 31
…starts with a morning swim in the ocean and a cruise around the breathtakingly beautiful area before we return to the fest.
Enchanted by the island’s scenic splendour, we almost completely miss the sensational Georgia Potter and her band – sorry Georgia, I owe you a proper story! – and walk over to the Big Top for some more Saritah). At the Biki, tribal groove merchants Oka impress with their didgeridoo, flute and percussion skills, but I don’t want to miss a minute of Byron Bay’s incendiary Fyah Walk and hurry us back to the Jandaiwal. Northern NSW’s roots reggae represent, the natty dreads’ patented three-part harmonies bring to mind The Abyssinians on smokin’ staples Blazing Fire, Once Again and call-and-response Outta Fire, generating prime rastaman vibration and a loud ovation at the end. The perspiration worked up calls for a sunset dip; cooled off, we head-nod to Kingfisha’s honest (if a bit plateau-ing) Aussie reggae and rocksteady, livened up the Augustus Pablo-like melodica and festival MC D-Kazman’s (of Dubmarine notoriety) guest ragga toasting. Tonight’s biggest attraction, NZ legends House Of Shem command the tent with their melodious reggae stylings, sweet vocals to the fore. The Steinberger guitars are a visual nod to the ‘80s, however the positive message-laden cuts like We Are The Children are cheese-free. Over at the Biki, Brisbane’s worldbeat specialists Afro Dizzi Act and Senegalese singer/kora wizard Jali Buba Kuyateh stir up all kinds of coastal music and Afro-funk styles, culminating with a delectable m’balax epic (replete with a skittering guitar/kora duel). Opting out of the traditional Spankinhide Procession To The Beach, we watch Gold Coasters A French Butler Called Smith send the Minjerribah Jungle Bar crazy with their manic Latin fusion stompers for a bit and call it a night. Pre-sleep admission: quite possibly the best Saturday I’ve had in a while.
Sunday November 1
Previously hot and sunny, the weather changes with the early morning shower and the ominous clouds keep hanging, opening up again during Bonjah’s Big Top set. The most ‘clean-cut’ act on the festival bill, the Melbourne-through-NZ combo gradually assemble a sizeable crowd as the wanderers run for cover. Given an apt Jamaican dressing, the quintet’s rootsy soul-pop gives room to funky jams and echo-drenched guitar solos. The skies clear in time for Brazil’s mighty Natiruts, who make sure the language barrier doesn’t get in the way of spreading the message of love. The elated Brazilian contingent chanting along to familiar anthems, it becomes really hard for me to take notes as the South American reggae legends inject blistering samba jams and resonating wah leads into their melody-dripping tunes. A rabid ska closer and a deafening crowd noise necessitate an African music encore – wow. The atmosphere becomes even more electrified when grinning Chali 2na and crew surface and get the swinging hip hop party started. Moved by the oceanic reaction, the Jurassic 5/Ozomatli stalwart utters “Woah, that was overwhelming – chill out, yo!” We don’t, he doesn’t and goes way overtime.
Announcing their arrival with a polyrhytmic percussion intro (gamelan! Log drums!), Nicky Bomba & The Island Vibe All-Stars grow to 50-plus members, summon the Coconut Man during Coconut and turn into an all-dancing, crowd-invading throng, closing Island Vibe 2009 on a high note. One fine day, one amazing festival; goodbye Straddie, we’ll see you again. Peace out.
DENIS SEMCHENKO
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