Catch A Fire Tour 2015 - Review

One word that easily comes to mind when you think of or listen to reggae music is “Love.” Many will associate reggae music with legendary musician and advocate Bob Marley. He was the mobile for the message of love through music; many know Bob Marley as the artist who took reggae music from the tiny island of Jamaica worldwide. Some of the greatest reggae artists alive today came together to honor the legacy of Bob Marley through the ‘Catch A Fire’ Tour which kicked off on August 29th 2015 in Philadelphia and ended September 27th 2015 in Los Angeles.

Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Morgan Heritage and Tarrus Riley as well as special guests Jo Mersa Marley and Black Am I, have all come together to make this tour possible. This is history in the making as both the Morgan and Marley reggae dynasties have finally tour together. The Marley's and Morgan's are more than just driving forces in the reggae culture, they are also childhood friends and are both 2nd generation musicians carrying on their father's legacies.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts was a great location for this concert; they offered a variety of seating, from lawn seats to arena style seating. Tarrus Riley opened up the show with an awakening performance; the crowd could not resist but to leave their seats and rock to his infectious voice as he sung tunes like "She's Royal" and "Gimme Likkle One Drop". The Wolf Trap stage witnessed the presence of reggae quintet Morgan Heritage; who reminded us that this was truly a family affair, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and guest artists Jo Mersa Marley (son of Stephen Marley), Black Am I, Skip Marley (son of Cedella Marley), and Elijah(son of Damian Marley).

I can speak for every person in attendance that night when I say the Catch A Fire Tour was a historical moment worth witnessing. From the artist point of view, "No one can deny the Catch A Fire Tour went down in history as a powerful statement about Reggae music out of Jamaica. What made it really special for us on the road was the atmosphere that surrounded the tour. It didn't feel like work. It felt like we were hanging out with family each and every day. This tour should be an example of the unity we need to take our music to larger audiences. Not only for Jamaican based Reggae artist but Reggae artist around the globe." - Morgan Heritage