Sat 5/25-Sun 5/26
Cleveland has had a strong crossover reggae scene since the late 70s, when I-Tal began crossing the music over from Cleveland’s tiny reggae community to the rock scene. By 1980, their track “Rockers” was picked by rock radio station WMMS-FM to appear on their Pride of Cleveland album alongside rockers such as American Noise, Love Affair and Wild Horses. In 1984, most of I-Tal’s members left to form First Light, who were the biggest drawing band in town for more than a decade. Since then, the region has continued to produce popular reggae bands.
Two of them will be performing this weekend at the two-day Reggaefest Cleveland, taking place downtown on Mall C. The first day, Saturday May 25, is devoted to rockin’ reggae, including the sort of jammy bands who integrated reggae into their elastic, eclectic sounds. They’re represented by Detroit reggae rock jam band HWT. Columbus’ Flex Crew and Quasi Kings, and Jamaican-born, Massachusetts-based singer Mighty Mystic round out the day.
On Sunday, the bands featured lean more toward traditional roots reggae. They include Cleveland’s most popular reggae ensemble, Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band, featuring singer Jones, who fronted First Light. They’re the penultimate band on Sunday’s bill just ahead of Los Angeles’ Arise Roots. Also on Sunday: Toronto Bob Marley tribute Lazo & Exodus, Jamaican singer Milton Blake, and Akron’s colorful, high-energy, woman-fronted reggae group Umojah Nation (pictured).
Get more information and tickets at reggaefestcleveland.com.
Cleveland, OH 44199
One Response to “Downtown Cleveland Be Jammin’ This Weekend With Reggaefest”
Melvin and Naomi Bell
Please let me know. Where to get tickets.