Maack’s Plan For Summerjam

German promoter Klaus Maack has been trying to alter the music policy for his Summerjam Festival and stretch it beyond its reggae tradition, and this year the plan worked to his satisfaction.

He even created a festival slogan, "Uniting People Of The World," in a bid to let the crowd know the event would address musical styles beyond its reggae roots.

"Artists like Common, Panteon Rococo, Looptroop Rockers and Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar were just as well-received as Shaggy, Stephen Marley and Alpha Blondy," he explained.

Maack has slightly altered the mix by bringing in more German acts and feels that worked well too, with Patrice, Clueso and Culcha Candela all getting a very enthusiastic reaction from the Cologne crowd.

It was also a profitable weekend for the Contour Music chief, as the 25,000-capacity event sold out for the seventh year in succession, the last two in advance.

In the days leading up to the festival, the picture didn’t look so bright as thunderstorms and long periods of heavy rain meant the festival staff had to "work their arses off" to ready the Fühlinger See site in time for the opening.

But the weather eased before the weekend, as it did for many European festivals, and the event took place in warm sunshine.

Other acts at Summerjam July 4-6 included Buju Banton, Black Dillinger, Collie Buddz & The New Kingston Band, and Dr. Ring Ding.