Dub Colossus - Wychwood Festival 2009

Monday 1st June 2009

Crackerjack rating: 5 / 10.

Although not a world music arena, Wychwood seems to specialise in giving prime stage time to unusual combinations of musicians from far and wide. Last year it the “The Imagined Village” which enchanted the last night audience. This year, the Sunday night headliners hailed from Ethiopia, bringing a fusion of jazz, funk, reggae and African heritage in the form of ‘Dub Colossus’.

Sadly, this collection of able and enthusiastic musicians didn’t ever set the (admittedly dwindling) crowd alight. Pleasant, executed with real talent and easy on the ear, it nevertheless washed over the weary audience, never quite reaching the promised crescendo of a final festival flurry. They produced the sort of music great to listen to in late night bar, or at home with a glass of wine, but with no motivation to get up and dance. Some real efforts to add colour to the sound but a sadly muted reception.

Mandy Robotham/Harry Pizzey