DAMIAN & STEPHEN MARLEY – COLLEGE STREET MUSIC HALL
By Ralph Beauchamp
Damian and Stephen Marley brought their audacious Traffic Jam Tour 2024 to a sold out College Street Music Hall on 3/22/24. My wife, Jenn, usually doesn’t share my taste in music but when it comes to Reggae, she’s right there. One of her favorite artists is Bob Marley so when I told her we were attending this concert, she was elated.
The night started out with a DJ. I’m sorry I didn’t get his name but the man was good. The only criticism was he kept saying the concert was starting every 20 minutes while he was there for over an hour. His selections were on point and kept the crowd moving and upbeat. Dancehall, reggae and ska filled the house for the entire time.
By the time the Marleys hit the stage College Street was busting. It was a sold out crowd and some. This was a co-headlining tour with Stephen and Damian equally sharing the spotlight. Coming out to a Big Youth intro, the pair immediately jumped into “10,000 Chariot”. Right from the start the room was electric. The audience was swaying from the first note. Stephen‘s “The Traffic Jam” followed. Both brother traded off lead vocals which continued for the entire evening. Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble In The World” was next. By now the entire venue was swaying to the hypnotic groove.
“All Night” continued the elation. Everyone was high from the intoxicating rhythms and the contact high from the ganga flowing the air. Everybody was floating in one way or the other. Dad’s “Pimpa’s Paradise” played next. The song hit home with the audience feeling the reggae vibes. The brothers hit high notes on this one. “Still Searchin”, “Tight Ship” and “It Was Written” continued the flow. The night was definitely heating up.
“Cast The First Stone” ran into “Jah Army” which every person in the house was singing with the Marley brothers. The night was surely going in the right direction. Damian‘s “Medication” was a total fan favorite. The brothers absolutely killed it. Both of them hit the front of the stage to cover their vocal segments and the audience went into the stratosphere. “The Mission” and “Love and Inity/Punky Reggae Party” ensued.
“Jamming” was another highlight. By this time, no one was standing still. College Street was one big party. “Is This Love” kept the reggae flood going. “Rock Stone” ran into “Road To Zion”. “Welcome To Jamrock” had the crowd oozing with a spiritual aura. Stephen and Damian hit hard and threw mystical aural grenades. Bob Marley’s “Exodus” and encore “Could You Be Loved” closed out the set.
This was a special night. The reggae passion gushed throughout the night. The love for Bob and his offspring, Damian and Stephen was quite evident. Reggae love was the message and College Street appreciated every minute of it. Stephen and Damien are not to be missed together or individually. Their mission is strong and their music stronger.
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