As soon as the sun started to go down on Wolf Run Ranch, a cold breeze chilled the air initiating a rush of excitement for those who felt it. The cool wind reminded everyone that soon it will be pitch dark, and things might get a little weird. On top of the weirdness, the setting sun begins a night of incredible music for a crowd of festie-heads eager to dance.
On Friday evening, Ashland’s Indubious was set to play just before dusk on the Equinox stage, a new one positioned at the bottom of a large hill with Mt. Adams as the backdrop. Most of the area was shaded by trees as lay right within the surrounding forest, so the cool air was rushing fluidly throughout the crowd. As soon as the reggae playing duo took stage, we were greeted with a rolling bassline and an electronic drum beat. A blistering piano riff filled out their signature sound which is grounded in reggae but branches into electronic rock and funk.
Shortly into their set, they paid homage to the forthcoming legalization and went into “Ganja Weed” off their first album. The heavy bass lines and synthesizers on this song fed right into the tribal sounds and whispering chorus that make up the more recent, “Wake the Lion.” Both of these feature a bold dub influence that comes out clearly on all their vocals and create a prominent, authentic reggae tone. If you closed your eyes you’d swear you have been transplanted onto the beaches of Jamaica, but alas you’re still in Dufur, Oregon.
As concert goers slowly filed in and packed in closer to the stage, Indubious kept the beats coming. “Live Indubiously” was played and brought out everyone’s best smiles and even better dance moves. A couple of raunchy bass lines and powerful solos on the synthesizer, they slowed down and eased into “Infinite,” a fitting song about stars.
On the beginning of this first night, Indubious provided the festival everything it needed to get things going; good music and positive energy. It was not a very high maintenance crowd, but they delivered a performance that would have satisfied the pickiest ones out there.
-Photos and words by Colin Hudson