Cowan rocks European stages

Recording artiste Naomi Cowan has just concluded a series of performances across Europe, including her début acts at the Turnpike Reggae Festival in Germany, as well as Rototom Sunsplash in Spain.

Cowan also did her sophomore performance at the Nottinghill Carnival and shared at Lila Iké’s Wurl Dance event, both held in London.

“The various encounters with people who support my journey was the main highlight of these performances. Many of them are just so happy to see us in person and in their home town — whether it’s at the shows or even just walking around London,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Cowan added: “Looking in the audience and seeing people sing lyrics is always a highlight. Rototom also invited us to speak at a panel called ‘Reggae University’ [and] that was special. A few times people were yelling out song requests that were not in my set list; that really touched my heart.”

Rototom Sunsplash has been one of the largest festivals in Europe since being founded in 1994. This year’s show also featured the likes of Busy Signal, Skip Marley, Beenie Man, Alborosie, Jesse Royal, Romain Virgo, and more. Turnpike, on the other hand, is another well-attended festival that facilitates authentic Jamaican music in the east.

In the meantime, Cowan noted that her second performance at the Nottinghill Carnival was even more unique than the first stint.

“I performed on different stages that catered to slightly different audiences, so it was really cool to vibe with different sounds.

For example, I did a performance with Toddla T on a stage for ShyFX sound and so we did more of my drum and bass songs that I have with him. Then I went to the Saxxon Sound system stage — they’re one of London’s longest-running sounds — and I performed with Dubwise Sound Station alongside Jason Panton and I was right before Luciano, who actually joined me on stage. That was a beautiful moment for Jamaica. I even got the audience singing the [Jamaican] National Anthem. That was special. So many Jamaican flags were in the audience, it was crazy; a sight to see for sure,” she explained.

Adding that she was emotional and filled with gratitude while away to complete the performances, Cowan revealed that she has also been in the recording booth prepping new music.

“Yes, finally we’re starting to roll out the new music I worked on while filming the Marley movie. I’m so, so excited. [We should start] late October to early November. The new songs are the beginning of a new era of my music and my life too,” she said.

Cowan launched her recording career in 2015 with the songs Naked and Prepare (Ye The Way). In 2017 she covered Things You Say You Love, the original being a big hit in 1967 for The Jamaicans, a rocksteady group in which her father, Tommy Cowan, was a member. She has since been on a steady trajectory and even played the role of Marcia Griffiths in the Bob Marley: One Love biopic.