07/22/2010
Review: Damian Marley & Nas and T.O.K in Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Festival
The distant relatives Damian Marley and Nas, let me start by saying this, seem to be remarkably
close relatives on stage. Their show is as monolithic as their recent album.
On July 14th, their tour of Europe led them to Munich‘s Tollwood festival. The festival with its
congenial multicultural and environmental aspirations - only organic food is sold here - invites to
exciting discoveries against the unique backdrop of the Olympiapark since 1988. The festival takes
25 days each summer (there‘s also a winter pendant). Camping is not allowed, but that is no
problem as most visitors are Munich locals. The organizer does not charge entrance fees for 70% of
the festival‘s cultural events. The concerts inside the huge circus tent every evening are not gratis,
though. The host goes to great lengths to book the great names. Every summer, at least one Reggae
artist is part of the agenda.
After a relaxed stroll around the festival site in the burning afternoon heat, the tent‘s shade offers a
welcome relief. As early as 7 p.m. T.O.K starts with the warm-up. Backed by a soundsystem, they
immediately bring the audience to operating temperature. T.O.K‘s play time is so tight that they
start with hits (“Gal You Ah Lead”), proceed with hits (“She‘s hotter”, for example) and end with
hits (“Footprints“). Some Reggae veterans can‘t do that!
Jr. Gong and Nas - a show of that caliber can‘t be seen too often in Munich. The vibes are
correspondingly genial. When the selector starts, the last smokers roll in. T.O.K had only a
percentage of the headliner‘s audience.
Jr. Gong and Nas each play a short solo set. While you‘re absolutely sure during Nas‘ performance
that the whole crowd consists of Hip-Hop heads only, Damian clearly shows that only Reggae
lovers can be present. The reactions of the massive to their combinations are an impressive proof of
the masterpiece quality of “Distant Relatives”. The crowd‘s word-perfectness is stunning, no matter
whether we talk about one of Nas‘ Hip-Hop classics or a hymn written by Jr. Gong‘s famous father.
“Could You Be Loved”, performed together by Damian and Nas, makes for a crowning completion
of the show. The whole entourage relishes local Tegernseer Bier afterwards, organized by a friend
who went to a beverage store prior to the show. Nobody wanted to sip the Becks beer provided by
the caterer. Only Damian Marley preferred Guinness.
Review: Damian Marley & Nas and T.O.K in Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Festival 7/14/2010
The distant relatives Damian Marley and Nas, let me start by saying this, seem to be remarkably close relatives on stage. Their show is as monolithic as their recent album.
On July 14th, their tour of Europe led them to Munich‘s Tollwood festival. The festival with its congenial multicultural and environmental aspirations - only organic food is sold here - invites to exciting discoveries against the unique backdrop of the Olympiapark since 1988. The festival takes 25 days each summer (there‘s also a winter pendant). Camping is not allowed, but that is no problem as most visitors are Munich locals. The organizer does not charge entrance fees for 70% of the festival‘s cultural events. The concerts inside the huge circus tent every evening are not gratis, though. The host goes to great lengths to book the great names. Every summer, at least one Reggae artist is part of the agenda.
After a relaxed stroll around the festival site in the burning afternoon heat, the tent‘s shade offers a welcome relief. As early as 7 p.m. T.O.K starts with the warm-up. Backed by a soundsystem, they immediately bring the audience to operating temperature. T.O.K‘s play time is so tight that they start with hits (“Gal You Ah Lead”), proceed with hits (“She‘s hotter”, for example) and end with hits (“Footprints“). Some Reggae veterans can‘t do that! [Right after the show TOK sat down for an interview. Watch it here!]
Jr. Gong and Nas - a show of that caliber can‘t be seen too often in Munich. The vibes are correspondingly genial. When the selector starts, the last smokers roll in. T.O.K had only a percentage of the headliner‘s audience.
Jr. Gong and Nas each play a short solo set. While you‘re absolutely sure during Nas‘ performance that the whole crowd consists of Hip-Hop heads only, Damian clearly shows that only Reggae lovers can be present.
The reactions of the massive to their combinations are an impressive proof of the masterpiece quality of “Distant Relatives”. The crowd‘s word-perfectness is stunning, no matter whether we talk about one of Nas‘ Hip-Hop classics or a hymn written by Jr. Gong‘s famous father. “Could You Be Loved”, performed together by Damian and Nas, makes for a crowning completion of the show. The whole entourage relishes local Tegernseer Bier afterwards, organized by a friend who went to a beverage store prior to the show. Nobody wanted to sip the Becks beer provided by the caterer. Only Damian Marley preferred Guinness.
Footage from the show: VIDEOS, PHOTOS and a Shiah Coore interview!
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