Friday:
Friday was the first day of the festival. My friend and I had stayed in Eureka Thursday night, and it was about an hour drive. On the way their was lightning and thunder, but when we got there at right about 6:00 AM it was nice weather, and we were able to get right through without any problem, which is nice. On our way into the festival we had our first interview with the DVD people, who asked us some questions about it being our first ROTR, what our parents thought of it, etc.... It took awhile to find a good place to camp, as we were forced by very-paranoid parents to over-pack, and the campsite was already pretty crowded. We finally found a nice place, and found a place to set up our tent, which was when we were taped a second time. I can imagine that the camera people had a good laugh seeing us set up our tent on the rocks, since we had very little clue what we were doing since that may have been the earliest I was up all summer. We  set up and hung around until they opened up the concert bowl at noon. from 12:00 to about 1:00 there was an opening ceremony with a few different Native American groups, Dancing and singing. I wasn't really feeling it much, but it wasn't a worry. Then Native American activist/poet John Trudell came on stage. He is, without a doubt, the worst live performer I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot of bad local bands). All he did during his set was stand in one place and talk over a blues/rock rhythm. Worst of all, he didn't even have much to say, so he would constantly repeat words, such as saying stuff like "Peace Not War, War, War, War." Up next came a Humboldt hip hop group called potluck. I listened to about 5 minutes of their set, and walked away because every other word was F--- S--- or B----. not the vibe for a reggae festival, especially at that time of day when there were lots of younger kids around. If they came to the bay area, I would not go see them for free. Next Tre Hardson came on. I started to get annoyed at the fact that there wasn't any reggae going on, except from pre-recorded music between sets. Tre Hardson had a nice sound, but I couldn't really get into it.  Oliver Mtukudzi and Black Spirits were nice African music, not reggae but I enjoyed their set. Friday's Highlight came next. Without Culture, I doubt Friday would have been anything to write about. They put on a wonderful performance, and the whole band was obviously really involved in the performance. one of the most solid live band's I've ever seen, and Joseph Hill kept the audience entertained, I'm already going to try to make it a point to see Culture the next time their in the bay area. Michael Franti put on a good set of eclectic music, although I spent most of my time during that set checking out the vendor booths. Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals were the second best band of the night, and were really solid, doing more reggae then I thought they would. Bring them and Culture back next year. Overall view of Friday, would have been a waste without Culture and Ben Harper.
 

  Saturday:

Saturday started out with a Nyahbinghi group, who put on an excellent, though underappreciated set. Not many people appeared to be there, the group was performing on the dance floor, and a small group of us were sitting around them listening. I wish I had the opportunity to see Nyahbinghi drumming in person more often. It started to rain so I had to go connect the rain cover to my tent. when I came back South County Dogs were performing, who were pretty bad, they were I guess what would be called "California Reggae" mixed with harder rock stuff and a horn section. they seemed to appeal to the frat boy crowd, but I wasn't a fan. Next up was Slightly Stoopid, who was ok, better than South County Dogs, but not as good as most of Saturday's acts. their set wore off when they started trying to do hip-hop, which was just pathetic. Bembeya Jazz was next, and they put on a really enjoyable set. Most people in the crowd, myself included, were trying to find good shelter from the rain. I was told that Saturday was the first day there had been any significant rain at Reggae on the River. I started to notice the sun around the time Israel Vibrations came on, who had the whole festival moving with The Roots Radics band keeping the groove. Vybz Cartel was supposed to play, but missed his plane, so Medicine drum filled in. I didn't even realize until half way into  their set that one of the percussionists used to be in Strictly Roots. they were ok, but a little to trippy for my taste. Baby Cham then came in, He was on the right track for an ok set, but only played for about 30 minutes, then left. Anthony B was Saturday's best artist, and kept the crowd entertained at all moments. Police, Fire Pon Rome, Change of Weather, he played many memorable songs, and a new one that he said he hadn't recorded yet. Wayne Wonder put on a better set than I though he would, and the crowd really seemed to enjoy it. I went back to camp to sleep during Machel Montano's set, but I heard good thing about it. I woke up just in time for Ghetto Youths Crew, who had a nice closing touch to the show, unfortunately I couldn't get close to the stage for that one. Overall view of Saturday: a nice way they redeemed themselves for Friday.

Sunday:
The Sun was out in full force on Sunday, and it started out a Native American dance ceremony. Next was members of Rod Deal and the I-Deals who did a tribute to Rod. I was never familiar with their music, but a lot of people felt what they were doing, and I felt their performance was very good. by the end of their set, it was extremely hot. So who better to cool us down than Mr. Pato Banton? He was one of my favorites of the weekend. The best part of his set was when he brought a guy up on stage and had the guy do Gwarn with him. he started off slowly and by the end the guy was still keeping up with Pato's fast lyrics. He also had everyone in the crowd introduce themselves to at least 2 other
people, I've yet to see an artist who has such interaction with the crowd, cause everybody was shaking hangs, saying hey, whatever their way of greeting is, to everyone around them. Judy Mowatt emerged on the stage to sing an amazing set. The crowd loved her set, and just as quickly as she left the stage Marcia Griffiths came on stage and did many of her own songs. the last few songs of the set were her and Judy singing, which was a surreal experience. They were backed by the Harmony House band, who also backed up Beres Hammond. Beres is an amazing performer, I truly hope he does some bay area shows soon. David Lindley and El-Rayo X were nice, but they didn't really fit in with the
vibe of the day which was full reggae. While the area in front of the stage was packed the whole day, it looked like only about 10 people were up in front watching them.  Toots and The Maytals were great, Toots has a great way of connecting with audiences. I hung around right by the stage for that show (or as close as I could get). Toots is a must-see. Jimmy Cliff came on and had a
very entertaining set. I especially liked his performance of Vietnam, and The Harder They Come. His set was unique from the rest of the night, because even
though he was a reggae act his style seemed different. I caught about 20 minutes of third world, and then my friend and I went back to the campsite to get ready to leave in the morning. I met a lot of new people, saw a lot of good performers, and ran into many friends of mine who I didn't even know would be there (some who I haven't heard from in a long time) Overall opinion of Sunday:
The best night of the whole festival, the only downside was that we all had to realize that Sunday was the last day, and had to go back to civilization. The festival was one of the most fun experiences of my life, and I'm definitely going again.

by,
  Ras James