Rubba dub dub
International Dub Gathering returns to Bigastro this Easter
INCLUDED in the Wikipedia introduction to dub music are these words: “Music in this genre consists predominantly of instrumental remixes of existing recordings and is achieved by significantly manipulating and reshaping the recordings, usually by removing the vocals from an existing music piece, and emphasising the drum and bass parts. Other techniques include dynamically adding extensive echo, reverb, panoramic delay, and occasional dubbing of vocal or instrumental snippets from the original version or other works.”
This is a good assessment of what is a notoriously difficult reggae subgenre to describe. This is due to the fact that since the 60s, when dub first reared its organic head, the sound has moved forward substantially.
Essentially, dub remains a reverb and echo-laden pastiche laid over a solid drum and bass rhythm, but as the years have advanced so has the sound.
One of the foremost meetings of likeminded souls devoted to this evolving form of music is the Dub Academy and Rototom Sunsplash-organised International Dub Gathering (IDG), which is billed as the ‘biggest European meeting dedicated to dub, reggae and sound system culture’.
The gathering, now in its fourth edition, takes place annually at Carmen24 in Bigastro, Alicante.
The event brings together the foremost international dub, sound system and reggae practitioners and places them alongside up and coming talent from around the globe and, importantly, the burgeoning Spanish scene.
The line-up for this year’s IDG, which takes place from April 18-21, is set to provide those in attendance with a deluge of dub delights spanning the whole genre and more.
Representing the old guard are the likes of London’s very own Channel One Sound System, who are currently celebrating their 40th anniversary pumping out and producing dub sounds for the massive.
Other established knoband twiddlers will be joining forces for the event, one of which is Mad Professor, who will be teaming up with dub rival Scientist for what is being coined as a ‘dubmasters soundclash’… bring it on.
The Leeds soundsystem Iration Steppas are returning to IDG, following their successful set at last year’s outing.
Moving away from dub a little, this year’s event also features performances by legendary vocalists and producers, including Dennis Alcapone and Johnny Clarke.
Mix these genre leaders with the likes of Hyperdub record label (Burial, Zomby, DJ Rashad etc.) owner Steve Goodman, aka acclaimed dubstep act DJ Kode9; the African roots collective Sanga Mama Africa; Spanish outfits such as Emeterians, who will be giving an ‘in dub’ performance, Zaragoza’s Freedom Vibration Sound System, 48 Roots Sound System from Italy and the Polish roots DJ Radikal Guru, to name but a few, and IDG is set to bring a drum and bass-filled Easter to all.
Tickets covering the entire four days of the festival are currently on sale for €100.
For further details, including the many ticket and accommodation options, and the full line-up – which still has many names to be announced – visit the event website at www.internationaldubgathering.com
For a dub-infused Easter make sure you get along to Bigastro.