Swiss Acts at European Reggae Festival this summer
Formed in 1992, the Moonraisers had the time to develop their own style. At first view it could be called electro-reggae. But, in fact, it is a unique genre, baptised World’n’Moonstyle Reggae, which joins roots reggae with funk, world and electro, a special acoustic experience.
After the CD productions „Down Town Massive“ (1994), „Mirror“ (96), „World Without War“ (97), „Hotel California” (Single, 98), Legacy” (99) and “Human” (2003) and their participation to several compilations, the Moonraisers are now preparing their 6th album. By now, the Moonraisers are established in the Reggae scene and are played in the medias, too.
The Moonraisers are also well-known for their superb concerts enchanting every public. They got over 600 concerts in Switzerland and foreign countries with famous names like Montreux Jazz Festival, Paleo, Rock oz’ Arênes, Blue Balls Festival on their concert list. With their varied repertoire, their presence on scene and their special formation (vocals, guitars, bass, drums, percussion, didgeridoo, horns, keyboards, etc.) the Moonraisers offer an unforgettable musical adventure.
The Moonraisers are very present on Internet, too. The song ‘Hotel California’, f.ex., has been downloaded over 500’000 times. And since few time, their songs are on i-tunes, too.
Besides that, the Moonraisers always supported the Reggae Community. F.ex. http://www.reggae.ch or the LIVE project “Swiss Reggae Unity”, with musicians from the Moonraisers as backing band and singers of 6 bands, have been created on the initiative of Jaba the front- man of the Moonraisers.
Main Stage Friday 13th – Famara
Famara, civil name Thomas Nikkles, grew up as a son of a fabricant family in Leimtal (Switzerland). After the participation at a percussion workshop in 1984, his interest in african music could not be stopped again. Only after a few solo appearances, different Afro- and Latinbands invited him to perform with them. At one of those performances with the Basler Rapgirl «Luana» he switched from percussion perfomer to a raggamuffin singer. The first single «Sunshine Blubber» (1987) could get some resonance in switzerland but only with the move to Gambia (1988) he got the appreciaton he deserved. The «Gambia Weekend Observer» wrote after a concert which was organized for the independance day of Gambia, where he played for 15’000 People; «Swiss reggae star in town».
On his second visit to Gambia he toured various venues and also recorded the album «Natural Fact» which was released in 1999. In 2000 he toured through Mali, Senegal and Gambia. After many concerts and TV interviews in Switzerland and the rest of the world including an appearance with «Youssou N’Dour» and «Tiken Jah Fakoly», he is ready with the new album «Double Culture» (NG 01204-2). The songs seem sensual and calm but if you really listen you hear the fire of Africa. Famaras voice is touching, the sound good arranged and pure energy.
