Rapso Riddum Band opens European tour

Resistance and his band have toured Europe regularly for many years, and is possibly one of the most successful and celebrated Trinidadian bands to perform on the European continent. During the period June-July 2006 fans in Europe will have an opportunity to once again experience Rapso.

The tour opened in Vienna, Austria on June 4 with a performance in a Latin Festival and this was followed by a show in Munchen. They are expected to move on to Germany where they are scheduled to perform throughout the month of June in the Federal State of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) das Festival.

Resistance is no stranger to NRW having been named 2002 patron of the Weltnacht Festival OWL, one of the biggest festivals on world-music in Europe. The Festival usually takes place at various cities in the German county of North-Rhine-Westfalia. Back then, Brother Resistance’s concert was broadcasted by the main German radio-station, and along with his band, The Network Rapso Riddum Band they participated in the “Carnival Culture Parade,” a Trinidad and Tobago-style Carnival which showcased steelband music. It was through the impact of Resistance that a calypso tent was included as part of the festival during that time.

The state of NRW will be showcasing its cultural colours during the FIFA World Cup 2006 supplementing the fan parties organised by FIFA in the World Cup cities of Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen and Cologne, by hosting the “NRWM International Music Festival”.

The heart of the programme will be the public TV broadcasts of the World Cup games on large screens at central locations along with the integrated “NRWM” stage concept where fans will be invited to make musical discoveries before or after the games. Whether it is Latin-Rok, Rapso from the Caribbean or Balkan-Ska — the “NRWM” will offer a musical journey around the world. Brother Resistance and the Network Rapso Riddum Band will be one of the 46 bands and artists that will make appearances from all the World Cup countries.

Resistance and his band also performed in Dortmund on the night of Trinidad and Tobago’s historic game against Sweden. Of course Resistance is fully behind the boys from TT. On June 24 Resistance performs at the Afro-Latin Festival in Belgium sharing the stage with several artistes from West Africa in the likes of N’faly Kouyate & Dunyakanwill, Papa Boni & Kundi Bora.

His Belgian fans last had a taste of the Rapso icon back in 2002. This will be followed by a performance in Italy at the Mediterranean Music Festival that presents music linked to different geographic areas, from flamenco to Tibetan chanting and Tuareg music from West Africa to Rapso from Trinidad. Concerts take place across various stages in the Porto Antico and the mediaeval quarter of Genoa.

Resistance is expected to perform there on July 2 before returning to Bonn, Germany where he will make his final appearance.