Fifty head to Spain for Rototom Sunsplash festival

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

On his most recent trip to the land of drum and bass last week, Giovanni Vinci of Rototom Sunsplash met with the Spanish ambassador to Jamaica. It was a significant meeting, not only because the 17th staging of the reggae-based festival will be held in that country for the first time, but also for the sheer magnitude of the logistics involved in moving a large contingent of Jamaicans to Spain for the event.

Vinci told The Gleaner that approximately 50 persons, which include performers, Live Wyya band and support personnel, will be leaving Jamaica specifically for the weeklong Rototom Sunsplash 2010, in August in Benicassim, Spain.

"It means almost all the artistes for the second weekend of the festival will be from Jamaica," Vinci said. These include Busy Signal, Queen Ifrica, Pablo Moses, Tony Rebel, Etana, Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty Diamonds, Chuck Fendah, Wayne Wonder, The Abyssinians and Romain Virgo. Performing earlier on the festival are Anthony B, Glen Washington, Big Youth, Bob Andy, Jah Mason, Bushman, Alborosie, Ginjah and Fantan Mojah.

There will also be a tribute to Sugar Minott, who was slated to perform at Rototom this year.

Among the performers not based in Jamaica are Alpha Blondy, Aswad and German band Yellow Umbrella. Any last-minute additions would be a special surprise for those attending the festival. There will also be a film component, debates, the Reggae University forum, magic games for the children and an Africa Village, among other activities.

Impact necessary

It is important that Rototom Sunsplash makes an impact in its new home. Vinci points out that the change is not only from Italy, but also the accustomed date, as it is the first time the festival will be held in August and not the first two weeks of July. "So we change language, country and now also date," Vinci said.

There was a hint that this first could also be the last show. Vinci explained that, "If it doesn't work for us, it could be the last one", but immediately said, "No, no, no, I think it will work. We are doing our best. The signs are good. The feedback is good. The pre-sale (of tickets) is going well, better than last year".

However, Vinci said the festival will miss the usually strong Italian presence.

There will be seven stage areas at Rototom this year, among them the main stage, the Lion stage for European bands, a ska and rocksteady club, a dub station, the dancehall area and a free area, where anyone who wishes can step up at the turntables and play for 20 minutes.

Eight bands and performers from the European Reggae Contest will be coming to Rototom and the eventual winner will not only be touring Europe, Vinci said, but also performing at Rebel Salute 2011.

The Gleaner asked Vinci if there was any performer he wanted for Rototom this year who was not available and he immediately said Burning Spear. The other is Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley. Marley is in the United States, touring with Nas to support their Distant Relatives album, while Burning Spear was already booked for four shows in Holland in as many days around the same time.

Vinci said it was important for Rototom to get recognition in Jamaica, "because Jamaica is the country where it was born. Without Jamaica, there is no reggae. So, for us, it is important to be here, to be part of the reggae community. For this reason, for the second time, Minister of Culture Olivia Grange will come to visit us".