Its that time of year again. Rockpalast makes it’s first to visit to Bonn this year with the 2019 Crossroads Festival.
As usual, a varied bill that should give everyone a tastof what they enjoy as well as a taste of the unknown. The varied mix was evident even from the first show, featuring Philadelphian Rock Trio Mo Lowda & The Humble and the 60’s Stax sound of Burundi born JP Bimini & The Black Belts.
Mo Lowda singer Jordan Cairola’s tremolo vocals reminded me somewhat of an understated version of Asaf Avidan, but his lyrics carried a punch that the music itself tended to lack at times, with the best track of all saved to last – ‘Valentine’ is a song inspired by one of the many senseless gun attacks on American schools. The Humble are a hard-touring band in the States by all accounts and certainly deserve a tour of their own in Europe. Maybe an appearance on Rockpalast can open the right doors. Kudos to the band also that despite bassist Jeff Lucci injuring a foot recently and having to play seated, he managed to play the bass lines via keyboard. It worked a treat too!

Jordan Caiola of the Rock trio Mo Lowda & The Humble
JP Bimini was born in Burundi and a member of the Royal Family there. In 1993 his parents fled to Britain after three attempts were made on his life during the Civil War in Burundi, and now he’s making a name as a King of Soul Music with an explosive band that delivers a genuine Stax sound and dares the audience not to dance.

All sweat and all smiles – JP Bimeni
A typically mixed but mesmerizing start to this years Rockpalast Crossroads Festivals.
The Festival in Brief:
- 20 March: J. P. Bimeni & The Black Belts and Mo Lowda & The Humble
- 21 March: Krissy Matthews Band und Jetbone
- 22 March: Fortuna Ehrenfeld und Razz
- 23 March: The Lazys und The Weight
Start of each concert: 7:15 pm