Garance Reggae Festival Bagnols sur Cèze

First of all,a little bit of history about past reggae events in Bagnols. In 2005, Ja'Sound Festival moved from Lezan to Bagnols-sur-Cèze in South of France, close to Avignon.

First Edition in 2005 was just amazing : Yabby You and Trinity, Twinkle Brothers, Black Uhuru, Midnite, Groundation, Richie Spice.... And you could find in the sound sytem arena, named "The Dub Academy": Aba Shanti I, King Earthquake, King Shiloh, Conscious Sound (Bush Chemist), The Disciples and Lion Roots Sound.

After the popular success of 2005, Ja'Sound's line up in 2006 was as good as expected with great concerts:Cornell Campbell, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth, Earl Zero and Tony Tuff featuring the original Sould Syndicate band, Fanton Mojah & Jah Mali first shows in Europe. The dub corner was also nice : with the presence of Jah Tubby World System, Channel 1 and Iration Steppas !

I have been to many concerts or festivals in Europe, but this one is special because the location is simply fantastic:hot weather, nature, Cèze river, waterfalls (cascade du Sautadet), wild camping and sound systems all over the place in the country side.

Due to political frictions (check your Half Pint collection :) ), the festival was suspended during 3 long years.

Begining of 2010, Garance Productions finally obtained the authorization to organize the 4-day long reggae festival along the Cèze river and under South of France burning sun.

The concept of the festival is still the same : one live stage and a sound system arena.

The first announcement was made in february 2010 with :

• Rub a Dub: King Stur Gav Sound System with U-Roy "the teacher", Josey Wales "the colonel" and Charlie Chaplin "the principal" . I had the chance to attend a King Stur Gav show in Belgium, it is still my best sound system memory. The selector play the original tune, then the DJ's sing one by one their own version live. The selection is definitely inna Rub a Dub style with riddims like : Rumours , Full up, Heavenless, Answer...

• Rub a Dub / Roots: JahLoveMuzic sound from The 12 Tribes of Israel with Brigadier Jerry, Cultural Dan and Ras Daniel Ray as DJ's. Back in the 80's this sound was one of the most respected in Jamaica.
• UK Dub: OBF from Switzerland and BlackBoard Jungle from France.

All sounds will play on Blackboard Jungle 16 KW sound system. I can tell you one thing, I'll be spend the most of my time in the sound system arena during the festival. I am looking forward to hear all my favorite rub a dub anthems on a 16 KW sound system.

I hope that more names coming from the UK will be added:Jah Tubby, Shaka or The Disciples.

April 2010, live concerts have been announced, and to be honnest I expected artists touring Europe festival like every year. But this time, it's obvious, Garance will make it BIG :

John Hold, Jah Cure, IJahman, Barrington Levy and Third World. I think it's a good start. More names will be added soon !!