FANS attending the free concert Tarrus Riley And Friends held at Emancipation Park in St Andrew on Friday, December 16 got a preview of what to expect from the host at Intimate come New Year’s Day.

“The big plan now is [for] January 1st [with] me, Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, and L.U.S.T. — I’m looking forward to that. It’s going to be the real thing,” Riley told the Jamaica Observer.

Intimate is scheduled for Sunday, January 1, 2023 at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann and will see Riley and others join headliners Buju Banton and Beres Hammond.

With COVID-19 restrictions a thing of the past Tarrus Riley And Friends returned after a two-year hiatus to an appreciative audience.

“I was very pleased with the turnout [as] nobody had to come. A lot people came and had a good time,” Riley said.

At Friday’s event Tarrus teased the fans, breaking out in song or a capella during his MC duties but never fully committing to a set. He gave his reason for this as the show not being about him but was instead to honour the legends of reggae music and give opportunity to new talent. He added that the Tarrus Riley and Friends concert is for his fans.

“This event is necessary to me — making people feel good makes me feel good. And I remember when nobody knew me so they [fans] made me the star and [so] I’m making sure that I don’t forget them — my fans,” he said.

Riley could have easily done the show alone. However, he was committed on the ‘Friends’ aspect of the event and pushed the envelope of allowable time with a packed roster of reggae greats, current stars, and fresh faces. Standout performances were numerous. Legends Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Johnny Osbourne, Gem Myers, and closing act Bongo Herman were not to be outshone by modern reggae stars such as the likes of Tanya Stephens, Romain Virgo, Jah Vinci, and Grammy-nominated Kabaka Pyramid.

“The highlight of the event for me was the event on a whole. Being amongst people and sharing music, that’s the highlight,” he said.

The slight band changes and sprinkling of new artistes didn’t do too much to slow the pace as many of the acts came on stage, did what the crowd wanted, and then left, often to thunderous applause. Where needed Riley interjected, bringing the high-demand performers back for quick encores. Many kept the audience engaged with the theme for the night, tributes to Bob Andy, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Robbie Shakespeare, providing their own renditions of songs from these late reggae greats.