A sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd cheered the upbeat, summery display on Wednesday by the singer who melded joyful originals with some Bob Marley classics. Review, photos.
“True to Myself”: Ziggy Marley, on stage at Meijer Gardens, stayed true to his uplifting reggae roots. (Photo/Anna Sink)
“This one’s called butt-ah-flies, ya’ll!”
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His voice painted with the cadence of a Jamaican accent, Ziggy Marley joyfully yells the name of the next song, “Butterflies,” before delving into the lively tune.
On-Stage Passion: Ziggy Marley with his band at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Anna Sink)
A funky bass line anchors the track along with the crack of tropical drums, while electric guitars ring out the distinct, syncopated reggae “chunks” on each second and fourth count. Ever-present, the sound of a warm Hammond B3 hangs in the background.
Marley – the spitting image of his father in almost every way – flails his knee-length dreads in all directions as he dances wildly and rhythmically, entranced in the music.
“Ziggy Marley has been coming to Grand Rapids for a long time. I thought he put on a great performance,” said fan Tony Kanu, who zealously cheered and sang at his seat Wednesday night, even conceding to his neighbors at one point how excited he was when the band started “One Love.”
“He took us back – back to his father’s original songs. He’s a replica of his father. He looks like him, he sounds like him.”
Perfect weather and summer vibes were only enhanced by the sweet sounds of reggae. The band conjured an exotic, yet familiar sound, while throngs of Rasta-fashioned revelers danced their cares away in the sold-out, sun-splashed amphitheater.
FROM MODERN TAKES ON REGGAE TO MARLEY CLASSICS
The set-list included originals, “True To Myself,” a bright and catchy tune, as well as “Wish You Were Here,” which featured wild bongos and a prominent, groove-heavy bass line.
Dancing Mood: Marley was accompanied by high-energy singers. (Photo/Anna Sink)
“Beach in Hawaii,” felt like a modern take on classic reggae with acoustic guitar and ambient, harmonic strums on a clean electric guitar.
Of course, a few Bob Marley classics were thrown in, including “One Love,” “Positive Vibration” and “Is This Love,” all of which were welcomed ecstatically by the crowd.
After exiting the stage for a few brief, applause-filled moments, Marley and band returned for a three-song encore that featured two high-energy originals, as well as Bob Marley & the Wailers classic, “Could You Be Loved.”
Audience members gushed with audible excitement and relentless cheers. With stage lights beaming, the endearing Jamaican songwriter danced exuberantly at center stage.
His raspy, passionate voice fell over the crowd with familiar words and a familiar sound – so much so, that some may have needed a double-take to remember which decade they were in and which Marley they were watching.
PHOTO GALLERY: Ziggy Marley at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Anna Sink
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