festival. Asked about how hip-hop
plays into the very reggae-centric
vibe, she explained, “It’s all about
the energy here. We’re about
bringing the positive vibes. Bring
it all to one house and people may
hear something they didn’t expect
to hear. Maybe now they say, ‘I
could like some kinds of hip-hop.’”
Then again, certain bands
cross the genres over. The Alchemystics have MC Force to tackle
verses, Fear Nuttin’ Band blend
everything from rap to metal, and
Danny Pease and The Regulators
defy all classification logic. The
Juicy Grapes and People With Instruments had no reggae to them,
but their soul and funk registered
with the audience.
Perhaps the most surprisingly
unknown act was I Anbassa, who
was the most roots of all performers. The man’s energy on stage
and spiritual mediation burned
Marley-esque in fearless proclamation of Halle Sellasie, beginning the set with a track bashing
GMO’s. The tie-in of classic reggae and rock steady preened with
contemporary themes in the lyrical sense fostered a great connection with the crowd, who slowly
collected, as if enchanted by the
riddims, on the green to witness
this rare performance, backed up
by his female vocals and rigid one
drops.
Many praised the fact it wasn’t
raining like the previous years, although the temperature dropped
significantly each night. Bundled
in layers and staying warm by
burning certain fires, the crowd
gathered on Friday night for
Roots of Creation. The headliners tore into a set of old and new
tracks, jamming heavier than any
previous act of the day and making everyone forget about their
numbing appendages, although
the musicians’ heads were steaming from the mix of the cold night
with their hot energy.
The Movement and The Alchemystics also had headlining spots,
which shows the variety possible
with one focus for a festival. SpenMay • 2014
cer, a fourth year return-ee of the
Ziontific from western Mass. offered, “How nice and small the
community is. I can leave my wallet in the field and someone will
come back and find it, and say,
‘Hey, I counted out your money.
You have $57.’ It’s the best part.”
Such perception of what makes
the festival so great begs the
question: should it grow in popularity? Probably not, and isn’t in
much danger because of the scope
of music. Instead, it will devel-
op a devoted following. Also, the
bands appreciate an attentive audience, which is easier in smaller
numbers. Ziontific offers a remedy
for the jaded, modernized worker.
No cell reception and no internet.
Surrounded by Vermont’s mountains and caressed on one side by
a winding river, the festival area
promotes peacefulness. What better foundation for bands to also
come together and share their
collective mission: one love, one
heart, and one destiny.
cidermag.com • CIDER
MAG • 21