The history of Reggae on the River is nothing less than a remarkable story of a community effort to fund the rebuilding of a small mountain town's community center that had burned down, by hosting a one day outdoor Reggae show. Now, 20 years later, this event has endured and blossomed into one of the most widely renowned world class Reggae festivals on the planet. The festival touts the biggest names in Reggae, as well as more contemporary dancehall and hip-hop, including many return performers. Reggae on the River has emphasized over the years the viability and spread of the positive vibrations of Reggae music by hosting bands from around the globe, from both the South and North American continents, Africa, Europe, and numerous Caribbean Islands.

With the picturesque backdrop of rugged treed hills, the natural grassy bowl with the Eel river winding through against one edge provides the perfect setting for such an event. The exotic aromas from ethnic food booths lining the rim, blending with other sweet smells indicative of Reggae culture, waft and linger in layers in the air. Imports and craft booths also border the bowl forming half circles up the hillside. Music from the stage can be heard throughout the area. The staying power of Reggae music and culture is strongly revealed by the numbers of young people who flock to the festival.

With a strong emphasis on party, the clear focus celebrates Peace, Love, Unity, Justice and Respect for the Earth, and each day's events open with traditional Native American drumming, singing and dancing. This year's record number of attendees estimated at 20,000 mostly camp on site, filling the stony riverbed and the meadow outside the bowl with compacted wall to wall tents and vehicles.

Each year's Reggae on the River has a specific focus of dedication, and this year's festival was dedicated to conscious living. A prepared statement refers to the need to base our decisions, individually and collectively, on the sustainability and balance of all life's elements. It states: "By living consciously we are aware of the choices we make which will achieve a more balanced, sustainable, spiritually enriched world for ourselves, our children, our neighbors, and our planet."

Among the steps toward these goals manifested by the event is the use of a percentage of bio-diesel in the generators that power the festival. Also, Reggae on the River and its food and drink vendors made a switch to starch based biodegradable plastics and compostable eco-friendly paper products.

This year's outstanding music lineup seemed to leave no stone unturned. With a featured style for each day, Friday gave us a melting pot of world contemporary music. Saturday's focus appeared to be dancehall/hip-hop, while Sunday's lineup featured classic roots legends. The music started mid-morning each day and well into the wee hours of the next morning.

Friday's music appropriately kicked off (following the opening ceremony), with the guitar and drum backed spoken word poetry of John Trudell. Later,Joseph Hill and Culture punched in a powerful set of conscious roots between African beats of Oliver Mukudzi and the inspired and energetic music of activist Michael Franti and Spearhead. As Spearhead jammed into "All the Freaky People," the stage became adorned with all sorts of wildly costumed dancers.

The awesome guitar work and social political savvy songs of Ben Harper together with his band The Innocent Criminals awed and energized their audience with a long set. Switching between acoustic and electric guitars, Harper really tore it up on his acoustic lap slide leads. Harper's vocals and smart lyrics were highlighted by a backing of diverse, heavily percussive rhythms overlaid with rock sensibilities.

Lost at Last, a tribal techno/trance band fronted by the distinct vocals of Jaya Lakshmi, (who also plays keyboards and harmonium) and carried by talented guitarist, Deva Priyo, closed the Friday evening show. Their exotic visual display included day glo painted faces and the firedance troupe Onefiya. The transcendental and hypnotic sound the band produces made for a great late night experience for festival goers.

Saturday's powerful sets by seasoned veteran Israel Vibration, and young rising star Anthony B, highlighted the afternoon. The soaring voice of Wayne Wonder was followed by the hip-hop/dancehall antics of fast paced, all over the stage, Machel Montano and Xtatic 5.0, complete with a lewd display of bikini clad dancers, fully intent on raising the party level.

Ghetto Youth Crew opened with a great set by Julian Marley, who mixed it up with originals and Bob Marley covers, and ended with the talents of his brother, Steve Marley.

Sunday's lineup was pure legend, nothing less. Beginning with an emotional tribute to Rod Deal, local talented Reggae artist whose focus for his music was environmental and social justice. He has been dearly missed around here since his passing three years ago.

The teaming of Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffith's was yet another emotional highlight and it was truly amazing to hear those voices together again live. After taking turns with short solo sets they united for a moving set that included "Three Little Birds" and "Redemption Song".

Following the endearing Beres Hammond's smooth and soulful reggae, we were treated to a fun rollick with none other than the string genius extraordinaire David Lindley. Reunited after 13 years with his band El Rayo X, they jammed out on what ran like a greatest hits including, "Quarter of a Man," "Mercury," and "She Took Off My Romeos". Incredible set!!

The beloved veteran Toots and the Maytals always shakes things up and soothes the soul and his performance at Reggae on the River this year was no exception. He opened with his own skankin version of John Denver's "Country Roads" and closed with a soothing "By the Rivers of Babylon".

Jimmy Cliff crooned and belted out some of Reggae's finest classic songs, drawing a healthy portion from Harder They Come, including "You Can Get It If You Really Want," and a soulful "Many Rivers To Cross," with back up vocals that were powerful and awesome. Third World wrapped up the three day festival in style with a high energy late night set.

Hats off to the hundreds of incredible, unmentioned musicians who backed the headliners and all the other bands who performed at this musical marathon. Yeah, Reggae on the River... Twenty years and going strong!

For the complete lineup and more information on Reggae on the River check out their website at http://www.reggaeontheriver.com.


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(C) 2003 - Tim and Ananda Owen; Photos by Tim Owen