Przystanek Woodstock 2015: Congo Natty’s jungle and Shaggy’s reggae in Kostrzyn nad Odrą

THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FESTIVAL IN KOSTRZYN NAD ODRĄ

Most of you are surely looking forward to festival season. And, as every year, Kostrzyn nad Odrą does not disappoint!

He has been called a visionary, a revolutionary and, above all, a jungle legend: Michael West, better known as Congo Natty. He will appear on the Main Stage with Congo Dubz, Tenor Fly and Nanci & Phoebe. Congo Natty is the alias of a one-man institution, but also the name of a movement and a family.

Mikail Tafari, aka Rebel MC, not only leads it but, as “Jungle Revolution” demonstrates, acts like a lens focusing everything into a coherent whole. The album reveals how Tafari sees jungle: as a reboot of roots reggae for the new century. Releases so full of sub-bass and broken percussion breaks, seasoned with a message of justice expressed through angry, passionate lyrics, do not appear often. Mikail Tafari’s vision of combining the messages of roots reggae and jungle in a contemporary way has produced a cohesive, extraordinary work.

Recording an album where love of music intertwines with angry lyrics, and the joy of creation is audible from the very first sounds, makes Congo Natty much more than a legend. He is a one-man institution, a fighter in a revolution that has only just begun. His show is pure performance, certain to move every festivalgoer present.

One of Jamaica’s biggest performers will visit Przystanek Woodstock 2015: Mr. Boombastic himself, Shaggy. He is the only living Jamaican artist to have sold more than 10 million singles and albums. Released in 2013 and produced by Sly & Robbie, “Out of Many, One Music” proves that he has never forgotten the beginnings of his career. The rocky road Shaggy travelled is a story worth telling.

At 18, he moved to New York to live with his mother and began taking his first steps on the local reggae scene. Discouraged by the difficult living conditions in Brooklyn, he enlisted in the Marines and took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. By 25, he had become a fully mature man who transformed his street experience, military discipline and musical talent into extraordinary success.

The 1993 single “Oh Carolina” made him an international star. Two years later came “Boombastic”, to which the entire planet danced. A year later, it won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Shaggy did not slow down after reaching the top: almost every album collected prestigious awards and Grammy nominations, accumulating countless gold and platinum certifications. It brings more than twenty years of work full circle, demonstrating respect and artistic awareness. We are convinced his concert will enter festival history.

Illusion will open Przystanek Woodstock 2015 on the Main Stage! The band formed three years before the festival's first edition, but has never played at the event. Few bands have earned the status of Polish rock legends as fully as Illusion.

In the 1990s, Tomasz “Lipa” Lipnicki and his colleagues played the finest, most unforgettable concerts and recorded hits “Nóż”, “Vendetta” and “Wojtek”. Over five years, they made five albums, suspending activity just before the new millennium. Illusion briefly returned in 2008, rocking Wrocław’s Centennial Hall. Despite a wonderful atmosphere and enthusiastic reception from nine thousand fans, a proper comeback still required patience.

In autumn 2011, the band appeared in their original line-up: Lipnicki, Jerzy Rutkowski, Jarosław Śmigiel and Paweł Herbasch. “The Best of Illusion” was released in November 2011, followed by “Live” in June 2012 and the new album “Opowieści” in March 2014. These musicians represent the very best of Polish metal, and we cannot imagine missing their opening performance at the festival.

On the festival's first day, we will also hear Tomasz “Lipa” Lipnicki's other band: Lipali, expanded to a four-piece, will appear late in the evening on the Small Stage. They will play songs from the new album planned for this year and older tracks with a new sound, performed by four musicians.

Przystanek Woodstock 2015 will present almost 70 performers from Poland and many other countries across four stages. Artists already announced include Black Label Society, Within Temptation, Shaka Ponk, Eluveitie, Proletaryat, Mela Koteluk, Frontside and Mrozu.

The Academy of the Finest Arts will host meetings with distinguished personalities from culture, politics and sport. Festivalgoers will also be able to take part in various artistic workshops and engage in a range of social and civic initiatives. Numerous public-benefit organisations will present their work during Przystanek Woodstock, alongside a broad programme of educational and sporting projects.

See you in Kostrzyn!