English
Much has been discussed about reggae and its culture. The Rastafarians, the marijuana, Bob Marley, the legalization of drugs, etc.. The truth is that in Europe many people choose reggae as a lifestyle alternative. It is not unusual to find people with “dreadlocks” and hippie clothes, with hemp products, handmade jewelry a pacifist attitude and “melow” way of dealing with problems. It´s funny how all these speeches are tied together to create a lifestyle in Europe, which apparently goes against the typical Western social standards. All this adds policies of pacifism, coming from Eastern or New Age culture, including meditation classes, yoga, vegetarianism, are already understood as “political correctness”. And of course: let´s save the animals! … Sometimes however, being peaceful does not solve much, and want a better world, does not make the world a better place. Perhaps if you listen to much reggae, you could become suspicious: not only of happiness and relaxation, the world is experienced.
The cracked capitalist reality, apparently leads a group of individuals by this proclamation of subculture, the desire for a re-raise of the social norms of a society of Ultra-consumption. Indeed, reggae accompanies these proposals, like the sound of a promised land that has just arrived, but is still taking shape, in which young people are concerned and outraged joining. If we think of early reggae, the dub should be considered as the new psychedelic frontiers. Pioneers like King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry, established the boundaries of sound and carried further with editing and manipulation of instrumental tracks by loading delay, echo and reverb, making the experience of the first reggae, and important aural exploration, almost cosmic sound an extended version, which opens to the world. The dub is the beginning of trip hop, techno, ambient, and other important current sounds. Its importance in the formation of the British punk and later the further development of ska should be remembered
Heirs of these sounds, UB40 knew how to position themselves in the 80´s as a radio band, which rattled the girls with hits like “Red Red Wine” and “Kingston Town”. Apparently, the time has not passed on this band, which comes together again to bring the best of their repertoire full of nostalgia. For pop lovers, this is a new moment of reunion with a band that, despite its contradictions, still is able to gather a new and diverse audience. Nothing better than to see them live in a city like Amsterdam, where the action never ends. The concert is on the 29th of January at Paradiso. For more information about the concert and the band, visit its website: http://www.ub40.co.uk/
Get apartments in Amsterdam and make sure to come to the UB40’s concert. The musical and cultural scene in Amsterdam is wide and varied. All musical genres are at your fingertips in Amsterdam.
Translated by: Hans
