Andrew Tosh, Groundation and other big names made República do Reggae III a success!

The vibes could not have been better. Last Saturday, November 5, 2005, is without a doubt a date to be marked in the history of Reggae in Bahia. With performances by international artists Andrew Tosh, son of musician and revolutionary Peter Tosh, and Groundation, the biggest name in current American Roots Reggae, as well as local attractions Diamba, Mosiah, Adão Negro, Edson Gomes and Artur Cardoso, República do Reggae III had everything it needed to be considered the biggest and best reggae event of the year in Salvador. The night was opened by the local band Mosiah, which, before a huge audience, presented its own songs and covers ranging from Gladiators to Bob Marley. The number of people entering the grounds of Wet’n Wild in Salvador was impressive. The place was literally packed with people, who peacefully enjoyed all the good vibrations of reggae. Continuing the shows, the band Diamba, also from Salvador, gave a vibrant performance for its fans, showing a little of its reggae with influences from MPB, soul and pop music. While Diamba was finishing its performance, Jamaican Andrew Tosh was already warming up backstage for a show that, without exaggeration, would become historic. It had been a long time since a Reggae artist had been seen vibrating so much with the audience as Andrew did. The singer, accompanied by a local band that brought together highly skilled musicians such as Milan Gordilho, guitarist of the band Moa Anbesa, and Evangevaldo, former bassist of Adão Negro, paraded his father's songs with mastery in an impeccable show. The happiness was so great that Andrew simply invaded the dance floor and the VIP boxes, jumping over the railings, to get closer to his audience and show all his gratitude for being in the “Bahia de Todos os Santos”, as he himself said. The event production liked the show so much that it promised to close a contract with Tosh for the production of his first DVD, to be recorded in Salvador. With spirits still high, the audience welcomed the Bahian band Adão Negro, already a national success. “Adão”, as it is known by its fans, gave a show quite different from the usual, having made a medley with several hits by international bands known in Salvador, besides introducing the violin into its music, creating a very harmonious union, just as several bands in the rhythm have already done, such as the Reggae Philarmonic Orchestra. Edson Gomes, another local artist, was the next to perform. Edson, who has a very loyal audience, presented a show similar to the one he did at the Skol Tropical Beats festival, where he played alongside heavyweights such as Israel Vibration, Don Carlos and Fully Fullwood Band. Despite the absence of Ky-mani Marley, the event production showed respect for its audience the whole time, clarifying the facts and justifying the absence of Bob Marley's son, who is going through family problems because of his child, who has leukemia. Making up for Ky-mani's absence, the North American band Groundation gave a show that left the audience open-mouthed. The simplicity of the group and the attention with which they treat their fans was something never seen before by the person speaking to you. It was literally impressive to see up close one of the greatest bands in world Reggae today. Heavyweights such as vocalist Harrison Stafford, keyboardist Marcus Urani and bassist Ryan Newman make the band perhaps the greatest icon of Roots Reggae of the new generation. The show was full of hits, and it was a journey through the albums “Hebron Gate”, “We Free Again” and “Each one Teach one”, from which most of the repertoire came. Songs such as “Freedom Taking Over” and “Picture on the Wall” provoked hysterical screams from the fans. To close the night, or rather the day, since it was already dawning, Artur Cardoso, former member of the band Adão Negro, was called up. Adding together all the events, República do Reggae III was the best event of the rhythm in 2005 in Salvador. Long life to this party, and may República do Reggae IV come with other great attractions. The Surforeggae team would like to thank the entire event production, which with great professionalism knew how to value all the press present. A special thank you to Caribé, Geraldo Carvalho and Israel Misrach for once again ensuring the professionalization of Reggae in Salvador.

EVENT IMAGES

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