|
04.02.2008
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
WHETHER you were after energy from performers or the good ol' reggae classics, it was all at Raggamuffin.
With international superstars such as UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development lining up at the city's inaugural Raggamuffin festival at the Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday night, I was expecting an impressive night. And that's what I got.
The first international act to take the stage were Arrested Development - their energy, stage presence, dancing and powerful voices (from the females) were amazing. Performance-wise, they were the best of the night.
Next to hit the stage was Maxi Priest, who was later joined by his singer son Marvin Priest. The London-based singer performed many of the "nice" tracks he's known for.
Then there were The Wailers - my favourite act of the 10-hour festival.
When they hit the stage, you could be forgiven for thinking Bob Marley had joined them too. Lead singer Elan Atias, who is part Jewish, Moroccan and part Native American, was fantastic.
I understand now why he's often compared to Marley.
When you can get about 30,000 people jumping and clapping to Bob Marley and The Wailers' classics, you know you're doing something right.
Singing along was also evident, especially during No Woman No Cry.
The headliners were UB40 and I was eager to find out how they would mesh on stage given their recent in-house problems, but they seemed to pull it off .
Must be that thing called professionalism.
There wasn't too much interaction between the crowd and lead singer Ali Campbell, but I was probably just being picky. His thrusting-like dance moves were entertaining though.
Despite the group's problems, the crowd didn't care - they were too busy enjoying classics such as Red, Red Wine, Rat in Mi Kitchen, Bring Me Your Cup, and my favourite Kingston Town.
I found Katchafire were the best Kiwi band of the festival. They gave the best performance. Black Seeds, The Midnights and House of Shem also performed.
Overall, Raggamuffin was a well-run festival - it even ran on time. I can't wait for the next one.
30.01.2008
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
Lead singer Ali Campbell's departure from UB40 is getting messy - but
he'll still join the rest of the band on stage in Rotorua on Saturday
night.
Campbell, who has spent 30 years with the British reggae legends, is
leaving UB40 to focus on his solo career.
However, since the weekend's announcement, the remaining members have
issued a statement following media reports and interviews given by
Campbell.
It said Campbell claimed he was forced to resign from UB40 due to issues
with the band's management and was shocked at the official statement
issued by UB40 stating he left to pursue his solo ambitions.
He further claimed the real reasons he left the band were due to bad administrative practices and that for the last five years he had been kept in the dark over the band's finances.
However, band members have put out a statement saying these claims are
untrue.
The remaining seven members, including Campbell's brother Robin, say
Campbell was never forced to resign, was always included in band decisions
and members supported him with his solo album Running Free.
Despite the problems, UB40 will be performing at Rotorua's International
Stadium as part of the inaugural Raggamuffin festival on Saturday.
The band's official spokesperson said Campbell had decided to put his solo
career above continuing to work with UB40 after February 2008, which is
when he will perform at Raggamuffin in Rotorua, seven dates in Australia
and a concert in Uganda.
Leesa Tilley, general manager for Raggamuffin promoter Andrew McManus
Presents, said the full UB40 team would perform in Rotorua, which will be
their final New Zealand show to feature them all together.
The inaugural Raggamuffin festival will feature international superstars
including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development.
Also performing are New Zealand artists Katchafire, House of Shem, The
Black Seeds and The Midnights.
The Midnights lead singer Leo Horgan was excited about getting the chance
to perform alongside UB40 during their last performance in New Zealand
before they break away.
However, he said it was sad that a band of such high calibre would break
up over issues such as management.
He said UB40 were well known all over the world and were legends in their
field.
"I look up to them in that sense," Horgan said.
UB40 drummer James Brown said the band was shocked and disappointed when
they received a letter from Campbell's solicitors several weeks before
leaving stating he wouldn't be fulfilling his commitment to UB40, the new
album and the tours for 2008.
"You would think after 30 years of working together as a family unit that
you could at least have talked through these issues with your family
members," Brown said.
He would love Campbell to join them on stage throughout this year and help
promote their new album.
"We as a band will honour all tour dates this year and the commitment to
our fans and each other, these are the same dates which were agreed by all
band members, including Ali."
Will
UB 1 of the last 2C UB40?
BY KRISTIN MACFARLANE
ROTORUA will be one of the last places in the world
where UB40 will perform with lead singer Ali
Campbell. It has been announced that Campbell, who
has spent 30 years with Britain's premier reggae
band, has left UB40 to focus on his solo career. A
decision on replacing Campbell has not yet been
made. But Raggamuffin ticket holders wanting to see
the group will still be able to
as the Rotorua festival will be one of their final
gigs together as UB40. It will also be their final
New Zealand gig.
The inaugural Raggamuffin festival is being held at
Rotorua's International Stadium on Saturday. It will
feature international superstars including UB40, The
Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development. Also
performing are New Zealand artists Katchafire, House
of Shem, The
Black Seeds and The Midnights.
Leesa Tilley, general manager for Raggamuffin
promoter Andrew McManus Presents, did not know
details of Campbell's departure but said he would be
at Raggamuffin. She said this weekend's 10-hour
musical extravaganza will be a special milestone for
UB40 and their fans.
"New Zealand has always been special for UB40
and being able to do one of their final shows here
will be a special occasion for them," Miss
Tilley said.
She said tickets were selling fast with more than
25,000 tickets already snapped up. Although she
expected the gig to sell out before the weekend
anyway, she believed it would happen a bit quicker
with the news Raggamuffin will be New Zealand's
final UB40 show.
"It's great for us ... it's going to be making
history for him [Campbell]." She said anyone
wanting to be a part of UB40's final New Zealand
show should make get their tickets fast as there
were about 4000 left. Last year, Campbell started
working on a solo album project called Running
Free. His time and commitment to the band began
conflicting with his recording work, promotional
commitments and corporate shows.
He has decided to focus on his solo career and could
not give his full commitment to UB40. A spokesman
for the band said they had had some
"amazing" times but realised Campbell
needed to do his solo projects.
"The band are of course saddened by Ali's
departure, they have been together for a long time
and their relationship as band members and friends
is almost like a marriage having lived in and out of
each others pockets for pretty much most of their
lives."
The final dates Campbell will perform with UB40 will
be at Rotorua's Raggamuffin and the festival's seven
shows in Australia.
Hurry
for your chance to go to Raggamuffin
BY KRISTIN MACFARLANE
26/01/08
IF you haven't got your ticket to Raggamuffin yet,
you better get in quick. So far, about 24,000
tickets to the inaugural Raggamuffin festival have
been sold. The 10-hour musical extravaganza at
Rotorua's International Stadium on February 2 will
feature international superstars including UB40, The
Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development. Also
performing are New Zealand artists Katchafire, House
of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights.
Leesa Tilley, general manager for Raggamuffin
promoter Andrew McManus Presents, said tickets were
selling at a steady rate averaging about 500 to 700
tickets a day. At the rate they were selling, Miss
Tilley expects the festival to reach their goal of
30,000 ticket sales and be sold out before the day.
If not, she doesn't expect there to be many door
sales.
"It
looks like we're going to sell out,'' Miss Tilley
said.
Anyone wanting tickets for the festival should get
their tickets as soon as possible. Meanwhile,
official Raggamuffin merchandise is now on sale at
the Rotorua Convention Centre. A Raggamuffin CD
featuring tracks from each band on the bill will
also be in stores from Tuesday.
Next
week's Raggamuffin festival will be the first of
several music events planned for the city with
promoters signing a deal to bring four more events
to Rotorua. At least every second summer of the
five-year deal with Event Venues, the promoters will
bring a reggae festival to Rotorua with UB40 as the
headline act. They may look at creating a different
atmosphere for alternate years
with urban or hip-hop music.
RAGGAMUFFIN TO BE ALI CAMPBELL'S LAST NZ SHOW WITH
UB40
January 29 2008
The inaugural Raggamuffin event has taken on a new level of expectation, with the weekend news that after thirty years UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell is to leave the band to focus on a solo career.
Ali’s final shows with UB40 will be for the Raggamuffin concerts in New Zealand and Australia starting this weekend, with one final date in Uganda.
The band’s statement’s read:
“Ali Campbell embarked upon a solo album project (‘Running Free’) last year and throughout the course of this album, his time and commitment to the band began to conflict with his recording work, promotional commitments and his own corporate shows. Ali Campbell has taken the decision to focus on his solo career and in doing so, could not give his full commitment to UB40.
The other band members of UB40 are naturally disappointed and saddened after being together as a band unit and as good friends for almost thirty years. A decision on replacing Campbell has not yet been made by the other seven band members. The band’s next studio album ‘24/7’ which was recorded with Ali Campbell will go ahead as planned in May.
A spokesman added: "The band are of course saddened by Ali’s departure, they have been together for a long time and their relationship as band members and friends is almost like a marriage, having lived in and out of each others pockets for pretty much most of their lives.
“They haven’t ruled out working together in the future but for now the other seven members will continue as UB40. However all of the band members wish Ali every success in his future solo career."
Raggamuffin, starring UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest, Arrested Development and Katchafire, kicks off this Saturday February 2 playing to 30,000 people at
Rotorua International Stadium in New Zealand.
UB40 has a huge, loyal audience in Australia and New Zealand which will guarantee that Ali’s final concerts whilst being emotional, will also be a celebration of the band’s extraordinary 30-year career.
FREE
BUS ROUTE DETAILS
Click
here for info on the FREE Raggamuffin busses (pdf
download). Busses are free for all Raggamuffin
ticket holders.
REGISTER
TO STAY UPDATED ON RAGGMUFFIN 2009!
We
have activated our subscriber list where you can sign up for
Raggamuffin
updates. Sign
up here!
SNEAK
PEEK AT RAGGAMUFFIN MERCHANDISE
We
have added some images of the Raggamuffin merchandise that
will be available to purchase at the festival in the
MERCH section. Check
it out!
STALLS
AT THE FESTIVAL
For information on having your stall at the 2009
festival, please contact;
raggamufffinamp@hotmail.com
Vodafone
& Andrew McManus Presents
UB40
THE WAILERS
MAXI PRIEST
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
&
THE BLACK SEEDS
KATCHAFIRE
THE
MIDNIGHTS
HOUSE OF SHEM
Saturday
February 2 @ Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Put
UB40, The
Wailers, Maxi Priest, Arrested
Development, The
Black Seeds, Katchafire,
The
Midnights and House
of Shem together and what do you get?
Well, first up, around ten hours of fantastic
music! And
that’s exactly the musical feast on offer at Raggamuffin,
an innovative new event showcasing the best
homegrown and International reggae music, with a
healthy dose of funk, dub, hip-hop and soul!
Raggamuffin
will
tour Australia and New Zealand, performing in NZ at Rotorua International Stadium on
Saturday
February 2nd 2008
. It’s
reggae King Bob Marley’s Birthday in February
(February 6 1945 to be exact), so what better month
to celebrate!
Promoter
Andrew McManus said:
“I’ve
toured UB40 three times through Australia and New
Zealand and they never cease to amaze me with just
how good they are and how much their fans love them.
That’s where the idea of Raggamuffin
came from. Reggae
lovers rarely get a chance to see the music they
love and that’s really the driving force behind
putting this event together.
We hope we can do it annually.”
Headlining
the very first Raggamuffin
will be UB40, arguably the world’s most
popular reggae band. Their
combined single and album sales are in excess of
70 million, which puts them in that elite
category populated by the likes of The Police &
Robbie Williams. They’ve had a staggering 51
hit singles, which is more
than ANY other British outfit apart from Status
Quo (and, yes, that includes The Beatles, The
Rolling Stones, U2 and everyone else); and they’ve
had #1 smash hits in virtually every chart on the
planet.
There’s
no doubt the eight boyhood friends of English,
Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage
from
the inner-city areas of Birmingham,
have
done as much to popularise reggae globally as Bob
Marley himself.
UB40’s
best-known songs – One In Ten, Many Rivers To
Cross, Cherry Oh Baby, I Got You Babe, Don’t Break
My Heart, Rat In Mi Kitchen, Kingston Town, Red Red
Wine – always have audiences in fine voice,
and their last album
Who You Fighting For was nominated for a Grammy as 2006’s Best
Reggae Album.
Famed
for co-starring with Bob
Marley on all of his hit records and stage
shows, The
Wailers are the most celebrated reggae outfit
of all time.
Their live show consists of classic hits like Buffalo
Soldier, I Shot the Sheriff, Is This Love, No Woman
No Cry, Exodus, Jamming, One Love, Get Up Stand Up,
and the list goes on and on….
Replacing
Bob Marley after his death, Junior
Marvin took up lead vocals, and
in 1997 The
Wailers bandleader (and Marley’s right hand
man) Aston
‘Family Man’ Barrett recruited a young
Jamaican singer named Elan to front the band.
Elan
had never performed with a band onstage before he
did his first show, but believed the spirituality of
Marley’s music and lyrics helped him find himself.
His
presence in The Wailers has
brought freshness and vitality to the already
celebrated line-up, including original members Aston
‘Family Man’ Barrett (the King of reggae
bass players and Marley’s Musical director), and Al
Anderson, who’s played and recorded with
Lauryn Hill, Ben Harper, and James Brown, as well as
Marley and Tosh.
After
leaving for a few years to pursue a solo career,
Elan reunited with The
Wailers in early 2007.
Raggamuffin
is pleased to welcome veteran recording artist MAXI
PRIEST to the line-up.
Born
in Jamaica, and raised in the UK, Maxi Priest first
gained worldwide recognition with the release of Maxi (1988). Recorded in
Jamaica with legendary musicians Sly
Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and Willie
Londo, it contained the hit singles Some
Guys Have All The Luck and a cover of the Cat
Steven's classic Wild
World.
Maxi followed up this success with 1990’s gold
album release
Bonafide. The
single Close To You hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, #2 on
the Hot R&B Singles chart, and solidified
Maxi’s title as the ‘King of Lover’s Rock’.
Fronted
by the charismatic Speech, Arrested Development are known for rockin' samples, live
instruments, bold scratching, organic sounds and
amazing vocals which form their unique and
irresistible blend of hip-hop. They are an
amazing band to experience live, and are sure to be
popular with Raggamuffin
crowds.
The
band's second studio album, On
the Sun (2004)
debuted
at #3 on the NZ album charts, achieving double platinum sales, and the single So
True was
one of the most popular and highly played songs of
2005. The
Black Seeds have completed three successful European
tours including a 27-show tour in 2006 performing
across Holland, Austria, Germany, Scotland, England
and Ireland, and have headlined successful gigs in
New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
KATCHAFIRE
are NZ’s premier reggae outfit. Their 2003 debut
album Revival yielded the countries
biggest selling single Giddy
Up. Katchafire
have since continued to release high selling albums,
have supported bands such as Michael
Franti/Spearhead and The
Wailers on their 05 NZ tour, and played to great
acclaim at concerts and reggae festivals around the
world. 2007
has seen the band with a busy International calendar
taking the stage at festivals such as oskilde in
Denmark, Rototomsplash in Italy, SummerJam in
Germany, Larmer Tree and Rhythms Of The World in
England to estimated crowds of around 300,000.
Saturday February 2 @
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
TICKETS ON SALE Monday October 1st from Ticketmaster,
www.ticketmaster.co.nz, ph 0800 111 999
www.dailypost.co.nz
29
DEC 07
BY KRISTIN MACFARLANE and ABIGAIL CASPARI
MAJOR events coming to Rotorua are expected to attract more than 70,000 people and significantly boost the city's economy.
Over the next eight weeks Rotorua is to host big events with the first being Jambalaya New Zealand Festival of Music and Dance between January 4 to 6. This is followed by the inaugural Raggamuffin festival on February 2, the annual Make Mine Music Lakeside 2008 concert on February 9 and the Bay of Plenty Searchlight Tattoo on February 23 and 24.
Event Venues general manager Peter McLeod said it was expected to be the city's best summer financially.
"Anything that brings people to our town is a significant contributor to the economy. The benefit will be measured in the seven figures.''
International superstars including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development perform at the stadium as part of the February 2 gig. New Zealand artists Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights will also be part of the line-
up. Leesa Tilley, general manager for Raggamuffin promoter Andrew McManus Presents, said the 10-hour festival was selling well because the event suited Rotorua.
Miss Tilley said if ticket sales continued the way they were selling, they would easily sell out the stadium to its 30,000 capacity. She expects Raggamuffin to be the city's biggest paid event.
The following weekend is Make Mine Music Lakeside 2008 and organiser Monty Morrison is catering for 30,000 people with at least 2000 to 5000 coming from outside of Rotorua. He said lakeside had earned a name for itself and visitors often came to the city especially.
Until now, the Bay of Plenty Searchlight Tattoo has been held every two years in New Plymouth, with audiences of up to 14,000 attending.
Held at the Rotorua International Stadium, the tattoo will feature a cast of 2000 with more than 20 brass and pipe bands, armoured vehicles, field guns, helicopters, mock battles and an Air Force flypast.
The two shows will run February 23 and 24.
The Jambalaya Festival of Music, Dance and Carnival is on in Rotorua between January 4 and 6 with a line-up of national and international acts.
They include: Latin hip hop funk acts Son Veneno from London and Australia's Watussi, the gypsy sounds of Australia's Doch and Australian reggae roots group Blue King Brown. New Zealand musicians Katchafire, Ladi 6 and Batucada Sound Machine will also be part of the three-day event.
Organisers expect between 2000 and 5000 people attending with at least 1000 of those being out of
towners.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Buskers wanted at Raggamuffin festival
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
ORGANISERS of Rotorua's inaugural Raggamuffin event are looking for buskers and stall holders to create a festival atmosphere.
The 10-hour musical extravaganza at Rotorua's International Stadium on February 2 will feature international superstars including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development.
Also performing are New Zealand artists Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights. More than 18,000 tickets have been sold so far.
Leesa Tilley, general manager for Raggamuffin promoter Andrew McManus Presents, said stall holders and buskers were now being sought in a bid to create a family, festival atmosphere.
Stall manager Stu Lyall said a stall site would be placed at one end of the stage and would feature body paints, henna tattooing, bone carving, massage and tourism operators.
It was hoped to also attract a variety of ethnic food stalls.
So far 12 stalls were signed up and Rotorua retailers and businesses were being encouraged to join them, Mr Lyall said.
There was also space available for buskers to perform in the stall area between acts on stage.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 people were expected at the festival so stalls were a good way of attracting business, he said. Organisers were looking for
"anything and everything'' people might like to be part of Raggamuffin.
An area of the stadium's terraces will be a restricted R18 zone for those drinking alcohol and another area of the stadium will be turned into a children's area, offering activities and entertainment for young festival goers.
"We're trying to just make a neat, friendly atmosphere,'' Mr Lyall said.
Official merchandise will on sale at the festival and beforehand at the Rotorua Convention Centre. A Raggamuffin CD featuring tracks from each band on the bill will also be in stores from January 21 and for sale at the festival.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Reggae talent on top
He's not the stereotypical reggae musician but Elan Atias is filling some big shoes as the frontman for reggae legends the Wailers. Daily Post entertainment reporter KRISTIN MACFARLANE speaks to him about his upcoming visit to Rotorua as part of the inaugural Raggamuffin festival in February.
Elan Atias is part Jewish, Moroccan and part Native American. He's not exactly the stereotypical reggae musician but his talent cannot be denied.
Atias is often compared to Marley, who was one of his musical inspirations and he's now filling Marley's shoes as the new frontman for the legend's former backing group, the Wailers.
"It's actually an honour, people say my voice sounds like his,'' Atias says.
"I was really inspired by [Bob Marley's] music and the Wailers' sound and how it withstands time, it affects every generation.''
Atias first performed with the Wailers at the end of 1996 when he was 20. It was the first band he had performed with.
He travelled the world with them for 3 1/2 years, including visiting New Zealand and Australia, which he calls his
"college years'' because he didn't go to any official college.
"I was very fortunate and blessed to be able to learn everything from these guys,'' he says.
In June 2006 he moved away from the Wailers to release his debut album, Together as One, produced by No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal.
The album features different music genres and all the influences he's had mashed in together.
"It's a blessing, it's a lot of fun, I get to do what I love,'' he says.
Now he's back with the Wailers and loving it.
He loves so many Bob Marley and the Wailers tracks that he can't choose one favourite.
"I don't have one because every week I have one that's my favourite.''
Reggae is a type of music that Atias says relates to everyone, is easy to understand and is inspiring. It's why he believes Marley's music has lasted as long as it has.
Atias will be joining the Wailers in Rotorua when they perform as part of the 10-hour Raggamuffin festival at the Rotorua International Stadium on February 2.
The inaugural Raggamuffin festival boasts performances from international superstars including UB40, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development.
New Zealand artists Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights are also part of the line-
up.
Atias promises "a great show'' when he and the Wailers perform at Raggamuffin. He says the audience can expect to hear all the old classics as well as some new material.
The Wailers have a new album out next year, which will also feature contemporary artists such as Fergie, Akon, Eve and Gwen Stefani.
It will have a strong environmental theme and, although it has yet to be named, Atias is confident it will relate to that topic.
While Atias is in the city, he hopes to check out the sites and find out why Rotorua is known as the heartland of Maoridom. When he was last in New Zealand with the Wailers he did not have time to take in any sites. However, he remembers the
"Maoris'' and says he managed to do some shopping, buying Kia Kaha clothing, which he really liked because of the tribal designs on them.
He loved the landscape of New Zealand, which he says had
"a great vibe'' and "great people''.
During his next visit, Atias plans to make sure he gets around to see the sites.
"I'm hoping to have a couple of days to check out the countryside, I hope I have time.''
He is looking forward to visiting Rotorua and seeing what the crowd has to offer.
Reggae music is a big part of who Atias is and, although he's not your average reggae master, he says it should not matter.
He remembers being refused entry into a concert in Australia because he had forgotten his crew pass and security did not believe he was part of the Wailers. He was already an hour late for the gig and by the time the road manager confirmed who he was it had turned into two.
"It shows people not to judge a book by its cover,'' he says.
# Tickets to Raggamuffin festival can be purchased nationwide at Ticketmaster, or in Rotorua at Rebel Sport.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Music and markets at Raggamuffin
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
18 Jan 08
Raggamuffin organisers are looking for stallholders and buskers to help them create a festival atmosphere for the event.
The 10-hour musical extravaganza at Rotorua's International Stadium on February 2 will feature international superstars including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development. New Zealand artists performing will include Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights.
Stallholders and buskers are now being sought in a bid to create a family festival atmosphere. Stalls will be placed at one end of the stage area and it's envisaged the site will include the likes of body painting, henna tattooing, bone carving, massage and tourism operators, plus a variety of ethnic food stalls.
The event is expected to attract up to 30,000 people, with about 18,000 tickets sold so far.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Coming Back To Reggae Town
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
British reggae greats UB40 enjoyed Rotorua so much when they played here last year, they're coming back and bringing fellow international greats Maxi Priest, The Wailers and Arrested Development. Daily Post entertainment reporter KRISTIN MACFARLANE talks to UB40 drummer James Brown about Rotorua, Raggamuffin, audiences and why these legends have fans of all ages from walks of life.
Of all the countries and exotic places UB40 have toured, it's Rotorua's distinctive scent and appreciative crowd packed with brown faces that has stood out with these reggae superstars.
Speaking from his hometown of Birmingham, England, UB40 drummer James (Jimmy) Brown described his first experience of Rotorua last March as having
"a real unique vibe", "fantastic atmosphere" and being a
"spiritual" place.
This was what he picked up from the place as he and the rest of UB40 gave Rotorua and the crowd of around 15,000 people its first major international concert in the city since Boney M in 2003.
"Reggae is really popular on that side of the world," Brown said.
They enjoyed themselves so much, they've decided to come back.
"I do actually sing the praises of Rotorua when I'm around the
world," Brown said.
UB40 will be the headline act in a 10-hour outdoor reggae music festival called Raggamuffin. Rotorua will be the only place in New Zealand to host the festival.
Not only will their new and old music fill the Rotorua International Stadium, they will be joined at the festival by other international artists such as celebrated reggae outfit The Wailers, veteran recording artist Maxi Priest and two-time Grammy Award winners Arrested Development.
Also part of the festival will be New Zealand bands Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights.
Raggamuffin is being described as an innovative event showcasing the best homegrown and international reggae music, with a healthy dose of funk, dub, hip-hip and soul.
UB40 have been making music for more than 25 years. They are arguably the world's most popular reggae band with combined single and album sales of more than 70 million.
They've had 51 hit singles with some of their best- known songs being One in Ten, Many Rivers to Cross, Cherry Oh Baby, I Got You Babe, Don't Break My Heart, Rat In Mi Kitchen, Kingston Town and Red Red Wine.
All of their old favourites as well as some new stuff from their new album Under The Influence, to be released in March, will be pumped out.
Brown can't wait to get back to the city because he felt the crowd stood out from the rest of the New Zealand gigs they did in Wellington, Napier, New Plymouth and Auckland.
"It was so brilliant, it really did stand out," he said.
"People were determined to have a good time."
He said the Rotorua crowd was very appreciative towards UB40 and he was confident he knew why.
"I got the impression [Rotorua] don't get many concerts
there."
He believed reggae music seemed to be the "music of the
Maori" and admits he noticed a lot of brown faces in the Rotorua crowd.
They spent a couple of days in Rotorua at the time but most of the time was spent in their hotel room, which was still very impressive.
"You just got the gorgeous view and bubbling springs. It was nice to just sit
there. The only thing about Rotorua Brown wasn't impressed with was the
"horrible egg smell".
"You got used to it really quickly," Brown said.
The next time in the city though, the 49-year-old drummer said they may check out some sites.
However, you won't catch UB40 hitting Rotorua's nightlife hotspots because Brown reckons they're too old for the partying lifestyle now. If they were 10 years younger, that could be a possibility.
UB40 has fans of all ages and from all walks of life, especially in New Zealand. He reckons reggae is the type of music has everybody has a soft spot for and it doesn't exclude anybody from the young kids to grandparents.
Another reason Brown believed they were still very popular was because their music was not difficult to listen to.
"People are so receptive."
The big Maori following for UB40 has humbled these superstars.
"It's a great feeling to have some people from the other side of the world from a different culture in completely different ends of the world [be
supportive]."
But New Zealand's own reggae style has also hit a soft spot for Brown. He's a big fan of Fat Freddy's Drop and Salmonella Dub and is looking forward to hearing more Kiwi music.
"You can play like a New Zealand reggae music track and it's got a separate
sound."
That's what he says makes homegrown reggae make its mark.
Over the next few months before UB40 head back to Rotorua, Brown said they'll be focusing on putting finishing touches on their new album.
The album will pay tribute to their early reggae and classic soul influences.
Under the Influence will feature versions of songs by Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Stevie Wonder, U Roy, Gregory Isaacs and Black
Uhuru. Raggamuffin will tour Australia and Rotorua. It will help celebrate the birthday of reggae king Bob Marley's birthday on February 6.
There will be eight great bands providing a musical reggae feast. Tickets for the February 2 festival go on sale on October 1 from
Ticketmaster.
Raggamuffin will be the first of five annual festivals in Rotorua showcasing international and homegrown talent. It will be a mix of music genres in the future with artists such as the Marley Brothers and R&B American Grammy Award winner Usher rumoured to be heading to the city in the future.
You can guarantee the eight boyhood friends of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican descent that make up UB40 will also be back.
"Hopefully we'll be coming back again before the end of the year or early the year
after."
"As long as we get the offers, we'll always come."
www.dailypost.co.nz
Are You Ready To Rock At Raggamuffin?
By GREG TAIPARI
Red, Red Wine will be in a raggamuffin style when UB40 rock Rotorua at next year's reggae festival.
Last week's announcement that another major music event has been attracted to Rotorua is sensational news for the city's economy, says Rotorua District Council events manager Emily Pritchard.
"It's another sign that the Rotorua International Stadium is achieving national recognition as one of the country's top outdoor event
venues."
The manager says the Raggamuffin music feast, with the likes of UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development amongst the eight international and New Zealand bands on the bill, is a direct result of last year's hugely successful UB40 concert at the Stadium.
"Rotorua produced the biggest crowd of the legendary reggae band's 2006 New Zealand
tour," she says.
"They are coming back this time in force, with another seven bands joining them.
"There's no doubt Raggamuffin is going to be one of New Zealand's must see major music events this summer.
"The city will rock over the 10 hours the concert takes place and we anticipate attracting fans from all over the
country."
Emily says they are expecting demand for tickets to be very high.
"It's not often that people in this country get the chance to see such a line-up of world-class acts in one place.
"Anyone who has any interest at all in reggae, soul, dub, hip hop or funk will be beating a path to Rotorua International Stadium on February 2, that's for
sure," says Emily.
Event Venues Rotorua general manger Peter McLeod says the announcement about the Raggamuffin music event follows on from recent news of other international touring shows coming to Rotorua to perform - including soft rock band America in December and British singing sensation Paul Potts in April at the city's new indoor Energy Events Centre.
Rotorua's International Stadium is also going from success to success with outdoor events like the Globalfest international cultural festival in October, two spectacular evening performances of the inaugural Bay of Plenty Searchlight Tattoo in February, and a top Super14 rugby match in March.
"It's all great news for Rotorua and it's helping cement our reputation as the events capital of the
country," says Peter.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Reggae Fans
Offerered Rotorua Package Deals
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
PACKAGE deals are being offered to attract out of town reggae fans to next year's Raggamuffin festival in
Rotorua.
The deals, which include tickets to the concert, two nights' accommodation and entry to Rotorua tourist attraction Paradise Valley Wildlife Park, cater for those wanting anything from a budget holiday to a luxury stay in the city.
The Raggamuffin festival will see international superstars including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development, perform at the Rotorua International Stadium on February 2.
New Zealand artists like Katchafire, House of Shem, The Black Seeds and The Midnights will also be part of the line-up.
As part of marketing the festival as a family event and Rotorua as a venue for weekend getaways, organisers have come up with
"Raggamuffin packages", which include accommodation, tickets and a voucher for entry to Paradise Valley Wildlife Park.
Camilla Andersen, general manager for Raggamuffin promoters Andrew McManus Presents, said one of the reasons for selecting Rotorua as the venue for the one-off New Zealand festival was the city's capacity to accommodate large numbers of people.
"People want to come and have a good time. They shouldn't be expected to drive home
afterwards."
# For bookings and further information ring (07) 343 1740.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Music festival coup for Rotorua Concerts: City secures lucrative five-year deal
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE
ROTORUA is beating major cities to international acts and is becoming one of the country's most sought-after event venues. The latest coup is a summer reggae festival featuring British reggae band UB40, celebrated reggae group The Wailers, veteran recording artist Maxi Priest, two-time Grammy winners Arrested Development and top New Zealand acts. Thousands of fans from all over the country are expected to hit town for the
event.
Rotorua was chosen over Wellington, New Plymouth and Hamilton to host the reggae festival, dubbed Raggamuffin, and was recently selected over Auckland to host 70s soft rock band and Grammy Award winners America. Overnight opera sensation, Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts, is also headed for Rotorua, scheduled to perform at the Energy Events Centre next April.
Raggamuffin's promoters see Rotorua as an ideal events centre, given its central location and its accommodation capacity, and have signed a deal to bring four more music events to Rotorua annually in a five-year contract. Camilla Andersen, general manager for Raggamuffin promoters Andrew McManus Presents, said a central location was seen as essential. The event venue also had to have a stadium, be a city that would have the most appreciation for the festival, and be a centre with plenty of beds that catered for families.
The district's tourist attractions were an extra bonus and the festival would be promoted together with Event Venues Rotorua with tourism packages. Ms Andersen said Rotorua had everything the promoters were looking for and the support from Event Venues was also a big attraction. Although the city was probably not yet seen as a major events "capital", it certainly had the potential to become one of the most sought- after venues, she said.
"It's definitely got the potential and it's heading in that direction. Rotorua is becoming more what promoters are looking at."
Event Venues general manager Peter McLeod said the key to hosting major events was keeping in contact with promoters.
Rotorua had only started being seen as a top venue for major events but was now "up there" with the bigger centres such as Auckland and
Wellington, he said.
"Up until the last two or three years promoters just didn't think of us. Now we're there all the time," Mr McLeod said. "It's establishing itself as one of the ideal locations for major events." He expected at least 20,000 people at Raggamuffin from all around the country.
"We think we've got a damn good line-up, we're certainly going to blow it out of the water."
New Zealand groups like Wellington eight-piece The Black Seeds, the country's premier reggae outfit Katchafire, up-and-coming stars The Midnights and Aotearoa roots group House of Shem will be part of the festival.
The 10-hour Rotorua show, to be held at the International Stadium on February 2 , will be a one-off. But at least every second summer of the five-year deal with Event Venues, the promoters will bring a reggae festival to Rotorua with UB40 as the headline act. Ms Andersen said they might look at creating a different atmosphere for alternate years with urban or hip hop music. Artists rumoured to be coming to future festivals include the Marley brothers and American Grammy Award winner and R&B singer Usher, but future shows will be dependent on the success or otherwise of 2008. Ms Andersen said a factor in Rotorua being selected to host Raggamuffin was the reception UB40 got at their gig in the city last year when about 12,000 people turned out.
Tickets for Raggamuffin are on sale now from Ticketmaster and will cost $95 until Christmas, after which they will go up to $109. Gate sales will be more expensive.
www.dailypost.co.nz
Music festival fans spoiled for choice
BY KRISTIN MACFARLANE
A MAJOR summer reggae festival planned for Rotorua is not going to stop another similar concert being held. Organisers of Rotorua's second Blue Lake Dub Experience event say they are pushing ahead with their plans despite concerns the success of the concert could be affected by the Raggamuffin festival. Raggamuffin will feature some of the world's best reggae artists - including UB40, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and Arrested Development - is two weeks before the Blue Lake Dub Experience with Rotorua's free annual Lakeside concert the weekend in between.
Raggamuffin is set for February 2 next year at the International Stadium while the Blue Lake Dub Experience, held for the first time last summer, is planned for February 16 at Tikitapu (Blue Lake). Dub Experience organiser Frank Hickey said while the timing of the international concert was "a bit of a blow", it wasn't going to stop him organising his event.
The Blue Lake gig would feature some of New Zealand's top reggae and roots bands as well as some techno/ rock, he said. He would not reveal who the artists would be but described them as very well known. He was confident the line-up of New Zealand artists were strong enough to draw crowds.
He said the concert, which would feature about five groups over about six-and-a-half hours, is about supporting local artists. "We're doing this to support New Zealand music and New Zealand bands, which was always the plan," Mr Hickey said. He said ticket prices would be no more than $60 because he saw this year's $75 tickets as a drawback. He didn't think it was appropriate changing the date for the Blue Lake Dub Experience because March would be the only option and it could be too cold by then. He did believe Raggamuffin was a coup for Rotorua but was confident there would be enough support for both events. "It will be good for Rotorua. I think it's good that they get another big event," he said.
Raggamuffin was also on the week before Rotorua's annual Lakeside Concert. Despite the possible clash of dates with Raggamuffin and the Blue Lake Dub Experience, Event Venues general manager Peter McLeod said they did not have any power when it came to selecting appropriate dates for the festival.
|
