Redemption concert lives up to billing
CELEBRATION of the life of late reggae legend Bob Marley continued on Sunday with the Digicel’s Redemption Live Concert held at Sabina Park in Kingston.
The free concert kicked off at 4:00 pm and featured stellar performances from the likes of Morgan Heritage, Cocoa Tea, Tanya Stephens, Bugle, and Sizzla Kalonji.
Throughout the evening each entertainer paid tribute to Marley who would have celebrated his 71st birthday on February 6. Morgan Heritage delivered a well-rehearsed set for the crowd on hand.
The group had fans in a sing-a-long to old favourites as well as new songs from their Grammy-nominated album Strictly Roots.
Tracks from their catalogue included Tell Me How Come, Don’t Haffi Dread, Reggae Bring Back Love, Down by the River and Nothing to Smile About.
Veteran reggae singer Cocoa Tea did not disappoint. He delivered a knockout performance which saw him receiving numerous ‘forwards’ from the crowd.
Fans sang along in unison to Too Young, Lost My Sonia, Israel’s King, Holy Mount Zion, Love Me Truly and Good Life.
Making one of her infrequent local musical appearances, Tanya Stephens took her fans down memory lane with songs like It’s A Pity, Handle the Ride, Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet, What’s Your Story, After You and These Streets.
Bugle, currently riding high with his EDM-styled Rasta Party, had the venue chanting to Annointed, Be Proud, Don’t Blame Life and Journey.
His set was ignited further when he invited Agent Sasco on stage, who performed Almighty Protect Me and Hand to Mouth. Sizzla brought the curtains down on the show with a fiery finale.
The August Townbased artiste gave a commanding performance, belting out faves, including Holding Firm, Simplicity, Solid as a Rock, Praise Ye Jah and Good Ways.
Towards the end of his performance, Sizzla encouraged the telecom giant Digicel to invest more in education, and even suggested they erect a wing at the local universities.
There were other great sets from I-Octane, Leroy Sibbles, Iba Mahr, Ikaya, Nesbeth, Andrew Tosh, Kelissa and Black Am I.
— Simone Morgan
