Cherine Connects With European Fans

After starting an 11 week world tour in late June,  I sat down with Cherine Anderson and her manager Patrick Lindsay for a few words. Anderson wrapped her final show in the European leg at the Rock-Zottegem Festival in Zottegem, Belgium, sharing stages along the way with artists like The Pretenders, Tracy Chapman, Bunny Wailer, Lenny Kravitz, Moby, and Katy Perry, among others.

“We have orchestrated a  deliberate strategy I call muziklink,” says Lindsay, who also manages Sly and Robbie, “where we seize every opportunity to expand Cherine’s audience base playing to reggae, hip-hop, alternative and rock audiences. We have been able to accomplish that by our collaboration with Michael Franti & Spearhead and his management.”  Lindsay is very focused on the growth of Cherine’s career and has been a visionary in the fusion of her music and audiences with that of other music genres.  The singer is undoubtedly a major highlight and critics and entertainment journalists worldwide are now taking notice.

Anderson started her European run playing to very receptive audiences.   Audiences were treated to hits like “Kingston State of Mind”, “Coming Over Tonight” and “Good Love” from her current EP The Introduction-Dubstyle, as well as brand new songs like “How Many More” and “Ring Di Alarm”.   Both of these new songs were greatly enjoyed by the crowds. 

The tour started in the UK and continued to 11 stops  in Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and two cities in Belgium.  Many who had never seen Anderson before were very impressed.  Audiences at both Summer Jam in Germany and Rototom in Italy were treated with strong performances by Anderson, who moved the crowd with her vocals and stage presence.  The legendary Chris Blackwell (Bob Marley, U2) sat stage side for this performance and was seen smiling, as Cherine first came to prominence starring in the movie Dancehall Queen, a Blackwell production.

Italian journalist Pete Lilly wrote, “It wasn’t an easy thing to animate the crowd after a performance by Freddie McGregor and a downpour (thunder and lighting storm), but Cherine Anderson showed that, even in adverse conditions, she has the qualities of a real entertainer.”  He went further to say that he was thrilled to have witnessed her at this point in her career and predicts she’ll headline in Italy with her own band in the future.