Groundation, Tournée

Groundation at Transbordeur: a roots-reggae homecoming crafted for our stage

At Transbordeur, we are thrilled to welcome Groundation for their Tournée, a performance tailor‑made for the warmth, clarity, and punch of our hall. Our room’s generous acoustics, deep yet articulate low end, and wide stage allow the band’s intricate rhythm section, keys, and signature horn lines to breathe, while still delivering the intimate, spiritual focus that Harrison Stafford inspires from the mic. Groundation’s live shows reward attentive listening as much as collective release, and Transbordeur’s layout supports both: expansive sightlines, precise PA imaging for those who want to catch every polyrhythmic detail, and a floor ready for the uplifting sway that roots reggae summons in Lyon. Expect refined dynamics—dub‑soaked drops that bloom into bright crescendos—carefully sculpted by our engineers so each echo tails off just right, each rimshot cracks cleanly, and each bass figure carries through the crowd with warmth rather than weight alone. It is the ideal meeting of ensemble and environment.

Current artistic pulse: new repertoire, living history, and the improvisational edge

Groundation arrives at Transbordeur with the momentum of their latest studio chapter, the acclaimed One Rock. In concert, that material stretches and breathes: recent standouts such as One Rock, Original Riddim, Market Price, Greed, Human Race, and Iron Will gain extra color through extended horn interplay, sudden tempo pivots, and dub passages that spotlight the band’s jazz‑trained instincts. From our soundboard, we’ll shape the space around those moments—letting trombone and trumpet call‑and‑response sit high and clear, granting the organ’s shimmering bubbles a ribbon of reverb, and keeping the kick and bass relationship tight enough to drive the room without masking the guitars’ bright skank. The set typically weaves these newer songs among long‑loved selections from across Groundation’s journey, honoring their roots while affirming where they are now: thoughtful, adventurous, and unafraid to let a groove evolve. Stafford’s voice—steady, urgent, reflective—anchors the narrative, while the band builds movements that feel ceremonial and spontaneous at once. It’s this elastic approach to arrangements that makes a Groundation night not just a run‑through, but a living conversation.

For this stop of the Tournée, our team at Transbordeur focuses on translating Groundation’s studio depth into an enveloping live panorama. We’ll frame the show with warm tungsten‑tinted lighting that complements the band’s earth‑toned sonic palette, balancing haze and color to mark transitions from steadfast roots to dub explorations. The room’s natural resonance lets percussion and hand drums find their place without crowding vocals, while the PA’s clarity preserves Stafford’s lyrical nuance—ideas about struggle, community, and resilience that define the band’s ethos. Expect thoughtful pacing: a welcoming first arc, vivid mid‑set flights where improvisation stretches time, and closing passages that invite the whole audience into a unison chorus. Our role is to ensure that each detail—horn stabs, off‑beat guitar, melodica flourishes, anchoring bass lines—arrives with intention. When the final echoes fade, we want you to feel that distinct Transbordeur imprint: a night where precision elevates passion, and where Groundation’s message resonates as strongly as the music itself.