A large and eager crowd witness Jah Yabby’s Warrior Sound open up proceedings with some strong roots tunes from the likes of Junior Delgado, Earl Zero and Sugar Minott before it is showtime. After 20 years in the business and working for and with the likes of Nucleus Roots, Zion Train and even UB40, Manchester’s own DubDadda aka Johnno aka Mad Daddy aka the Ginger Ninja finally has his debut album out under his own name – well, as DubDadda anyway. To celebrate, he is at the Band On The Wall with a few friends. He controls the decks and effects, adding his own singing and dee-jaying to a strictly conscious set of his own roots and dub tunes, helped by saxman Nat Burchill supplying some jazzy, funky, roots riffs and solos behind the Dub Dadda and other vocalists such as the exciting, young, slightly R&B inflected performer Judy Whitehead, the accomplished, sweet-voiced GT and the gruffer Heartical Spence who has only just returned from Shashamane Land. Plenty of heartfelt pleas for peace, forgiveness and an end to racism reflect the concerns of the moment and the spontaneity and sheer good vibes of the music uplift the crowd whose enjoyment is plain to see.

Iration Steppas are there to finish off the evening, the ever-popular roots and dub crew ready to continue the DubDadda’s good works by rocking the house with a vibrant and vital selection. Mark Iration operates the decks and sings and dee-jays over (once again) strictly conscious sounds (mostly from their ‘Dubz From The Higher Regions’ CD) augmented by the deep, rumbling bass guitar work of Dennis Rootical as Rever stands next to Mark, making sure the music flows non-stop. Mark has some concerns about the sound but he needn’t worry – the power of the Steppas set communicates itself throughout the club. The Steppas approach is loud and made for dancing, which is what we all do!
Jah Yabbys, DubDadda and Iration Steppas – all warriors for peace. Bless!