News and views from the pit - Summerfest '07

The Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage is a tricky mouthful - actually one of the 10 music stages at Summerfest 2007 and the scene for performances by one of the world's premier Afrobeat and reggae bands - Femi Kuti and his band from Nigeria followed by The Wailers from Kingston, Jamaica.

Thousands were jammed into the stands beneath the overpass, sheltered from a sky that threatened to burst any moment. But with mother nature showing mercy, the crowd bumped and gyrated (with the occasional falling off the bench) to a an evening of pulsating horns, throbbing drums, rock steady rhythm and bass, and the energy exuded by the dancers on stage.

Femi Kuti and dancers


Backstage at the Big Backyard stage
Backstage with Aston 'Family Man' Barrett
and Abongy (Mr. Drummer man)



The Wailers

Send me a note and I will fill you in on a karmic experience from the show... let's just put it as giving a helping hand to the band. In any case, tons more pics to come so keep watching - and listening to some live music.
- malliman/AM