17/05/2013 00:00
TW
0
STAFF REPORTER JAMAICAN rhythms of ska and reggae music will be taking centre stage at the start of July in Alcudia, at what will be Majorca's first Reggae Festival, organisers Runaway Grup said yesterday.

Spokesman Peter Terrassa confirmed that international bands will be joining “The Original Wailers”, some members of which belonged to the late Bob Marley's former group, and the legendary British band “Bad Manners” in concerts on 2nd and 3rd July.

Terrassa said that Runaway Grup had for some time now been considering launching such an event because ska music apparently has a large following on Majorca - bands as well as fans.

He said that the programme will contain local artists such as Dinamo 8, Tribus, Es Reboster, Green Point Sound System and DJ Ferran Valles. “We want to promote Jamaican-style music on Majorca and its important to do it in collaboration with our home-grown performers,” added Terrassa.

The event will kick off on Friday, 2nd July from 6pm onwards on the terraces of the Menta discotheque in the port of Alcudia. DJ Cello and DJ Turbo will be in charge of proceedings. The former, usually operating at the top hot spots in London, will be hosting performances in the early part of the evening that reflect “the old reggae from the 60s.” As the sun goes down and the lights of the barbecue are lit, DJ Turbo, now a star in his own right in London, will take the floor.
Entrance will cost 12 euros and includes the barbecue. Tickets can be bought through “ticketmaster”.
The second show will begin the following day at 6pm at the bull ring in Alcudia. The Original Wailers will be appearing with members of The Wailers, the late Bob Marley's band - such as Junior Marvin, Earl “Wire” Lindo and Al Anderson. “They're the closest thing there is to Bob Marley,” vouched Terrassa. Also appearing will be British group “Bad Manners” - chart-toppers in the 1970s, they are now one of the top five reggae acts in the world, Terrassa claimed.

He added that although the festival is starting off modestly, with one or two top names instead of “ten superstars”, the idea is that its popularity continues to grow and that it becomes an annual event more associated with the island.