Salute, Rebels! Report from the 20th festival anniversary

Friday, 17th of January. It was getting late when our ride finally arrived and we could jump into the car with direction St. Ann´s Bay. We were ready fi di road and so was Kabaka Pyramid, just performing on the stage when we were entering the venue. Nice, for us, who were late, short performance. Unfortunately we missed few of shows i was looking forward to see – Hempress Sativa, Pentatauch, Jesse Royal and Duane Stephenson. As per the responses from people who attended their performances, the young generation did great job. Well, watch the videos bellow and you will see…

Among others fans could see nice shows by Bugle, Iba Mahr, Andrew Tosh, veterans like John Holt, Johny Osbourne, Max Romeo or Bunny Wailer (who surprisingly performed as one of the last acts around 8am. Yes, 8AM in the morning)and of course the father of the festival, Tony Rebel. Good pick for Rebel Salute was Mutabaruka as one of the moderators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF5XvGFprw0

However, the highlight of the festival for many, including myself, was Jr. Gong. To see Damian overseas usually means get into huge festival crowd, where you barely can see anything on stage. Luckily in St. Ann there was good view for everyone, which was quiet enjoyable. And how was the show itself? Big entrance, great performance, crazy dancers/vocalist, flag man and guests, of course. And who else could Damian pick than Ghetto Youths family? Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis (son of the legendary Alton Ellis) and Baby Cham were all invited to stage to perform their hits. The biggest response from the crowd received Cham with Jr. Gong when they performed their latest hit „Fighter“ , live for the first time. Perfect energy, I have to say. Especially Cham gave burning performance, mad! Except that Damian performed hits from his whole carrier, such as „Road to Zion“, „Still searching“, „The Mission“ or evergreen „Welcome to Jamrock“.

After Damian Marley, who finished around 5am there was still few more to see. As already mentioned surprising was late performance of 66 years old Wailer, around 8 am in the morning, and the whole Friday program was closing Luciano. Luciano was traditionally entering the stage by the sounds of Nyabinghi and did a nice show, while the sun was rising.

Because I was leaving the island the day after, I was not able to see the Saturday program, which was more roots with few exceptions, like Capleton, Jah Cure or Bounty Killer (on program written as Rodney Price). Never mind, my first Rebel Salute experience was great. St. Ann´s Bay is a beautiful location, especially when you find out about the incredible view on the turquoise blue sea and beach in the morning, by the sound of Wailer´s music.

The only minus from my point of view was late end of the program, caused by delays on the begin and during the change-overs, which also might be the reason why the crowd seemed sommetimes without energy…Except the location Rebel Salute offers plenty of good music, and from my short experience a good service too – many food stands with good food and drinks (tasty ackee and saltfish for example), jewelry and clothing for everyone and a big screen too, so you can check what´s up on the stage when you aren´t in the middle of the crowd. Two and half hours far from the capital city Kingston is acceptable distance.

Big up Rebel Salute!

Big thanks to Kerise and Nunes soldiers!

*Markéta