Waking up on the morning 2 of a competition is normally not one of the best ways to start out your day. Day 2 of Reggae Rise Up Maryland, 2024 was fairly typical to that… somewhat drained, somewhat groggy, and somewhat sore. Want espresso…. and perhaps a breakfast sandwich. Head all the way down to the resort breakfast bistro to order their thickest, darkest espresso and order a few sandwiches for @IronLionImages @ToddJuddPhotography and myself. Whereas they’re being made, I look subsequent to me and notice I’m standing subsequent to somebody whose music has gotten me by a few of my hardest days, somebody who’s one in all my favourite artists, somebody who can be a Grammy Award Winner and the nearer for tonight’s competition – Mr. Jacob Hemphill.
Ever been subsequent to one in all your favourite artists in an informal setting? How about earlier than 9 am, each with groggy, bloodshot eyes, each in want of some high-octane caffeine, miles from the venue they may play 14 hours from whenever you meet them? That was me, and I’m positive I stumbled by each phrase I mentioned to him whereas telling him how a lot “Not Accomplished But” means to me, and please play that tonight, and… oh, can we take a selfie since we each look so good early within the morning earlier than espresso and a bathe. I’m positive it was precisely what he hoped for (sic) very first thing within the morning, and but he did it and was tremendous personable and I respect him much more for being that individual.
Time for the competition.
Tremendous stoked for the primary band of as we speak’s lineup. The Harbor Boys are a band that we simply began following throughout the first Reggae Rise Up Maryland in 2022. Iron Lion Photos had a good time going to that yr’s pre-party and interviewing the band. Whereas among the band members have modified over the past couple of years, the spine – Cody Woolsoncroft (vocals and guitar) and Andrew Corridor (bassist) are nonetheless entrance and middle. The change in lineup could have moved their dwell sound somewhat farther from reggae, but it surely looks like they discovered themselves and I can’t wait to see the place this takes them! As they all the time do, The Harbor Boys introduced the vitality for his or her complete set together with Cody bringing his younger son out on stage with them and concluding with a catchy model of their track Disaster.
Claire Wright is a reputation I hadn’t heard earlier than trying on the lineup for the competition, however a sound that has
been performed from my audio system at residence for the reason that competition. This silky-sounding vixen from northern California introduced us a mellow and acoustic island sound with virtually a rustic cross over which I assumed labored extremely properly. She was joined on stage by Landon Chung on drums from The Huge Eyed Youngsters and Micah Brown, guitarist for Iration. One of many highlights of her efficiency was when she and Surfer Lady lead singer, Carter Reeves carried out a duet of Claire’s lovely track All I Wanna Do (Surfin), which they mentioned that they had by no means rehearsed earlier than. The track labored properly as a duet and each Claire and Carter smiled the complete track.
Talking of Surfer Lady, this was the primary time I’ve had the pleasure to see this trio dwell and I actually loved how easy but layered their sound flowed. Their music has a fantastic bassline, refreshing percussion, and catchy guitar riffs with Carter’s laid-back and relatable vocals (Set in Stone – is my private favourite). This band has expertise and, for my part, has a transitional sound that makes them interesting to a number of genres. Look out for them sooner or later.
As I discussed within the Day One overview – there was some negativity by among the modifications coming into this yr’s competition. Up to now, I didn’t miss any of the modifications from earlier years; nonetheless, the subsequent artist, Jesse Royal, took full benefit of final yr’s competition when there was a runway down that divided VIP and GA crowds as he sang and embraced his followers deep within the crowd. This yr didn’t have that particular runway, however that didn’t cease Jesse from getting off the stage and getting near his adoring followers. I’m giving Jesse probably the most limber award of the weekend as a result of regardless of the boundaries he was capable of get near his followers to present them the love they had been craving, all together with the largest smile on his face.
Ballyhoo! “Dude you’re actually tall.” The gang is filling in to see our subsequent band from Aberdeen, MD and they’re bringing the vitality as they bust out favorites like Stroll Away and Combine Tape. The gang is skanking and feeling wonderful as Ballyhoo! continues to belt out favorites and produce out one in all their buddies and mentors Brandon Hardesty, of Bumpin Uglies. For those who don’t know Ballyhoo! but, you’ll – get on their bus prior to later!
About 15 years in the past I used to be capable of see this subsequent artist in a small venue in the midst of PA, massive reggae seen there (sic), with about 50 others. Iron Lion Photos by Todd Judd introduced his 2 sons, and I introduced my son – I point out this as a result of we waited so the youngsters aged (10,11, and 13 on the time) might meet the artist after the present. The artist, Bermuda’s personal Collie Buddz, was so wonderful and all the way down to earth ready to satisfy every fan and signing autographs – once we met him, he shook every of the child’s fingers and advised them, “Do your homework and keep off of medication.” These 3 children have all since graduated faculty, some with postdoc levels, and are doing wonderful issues of their lives.
Quick ahead 15 years – Collie is not enjoying in entrance of fifty individuals. The gang was simply greater than 10k as I used to be looking listening to him carry out from backstage. He had the group within the palm of his fingers as he stood on the sting of the stage along with his foot up on the speaker, a towel hanging out of his again denim pock, traditional aviator glasses, and railroad hat. I’ve seen him play dwell many instances over the past 15 years and he’s simply so persistently nice along with his sound, his crowd interactions, and his vitality. As Collie Buddz, completed his set I used to be capable of inform him what a fantastic efficiency he had, I shared my story from 15 years in the past to which he gave a fantastic smile and fist bump, after which I watched and was capable of seize photographs of him signing autographs (solely noticed one different artist doing this the complete weekend) for about half-hour after his set – what a humble and real artist that connects along with his followers.
Subsequent to take the stage and to carry a big following is KES. Shaped practically 20 years in the past in Trinidad KES The Band brings a refreshing Soca sound with a fusion of reggae, calypso, dancehall, pop, and rock. This mixing of musical kinds is a part of what KES say on their web site is “a part of their better calling: To unfold good vibes.” Spreading good vibes, certainly is what they did with their hour-long set in Maryland.
Many followers traveled particularly to see the pleasure of Trinidad, and you might inform that KES beloved the outpouring of assist they had been getting whereas the group sang and danced alongside to this Caribbean powerhouse of a band!
Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica our subsequent artist – Shaggy, takes the stage. Shaggy is a veteran and favourite of reggae festivals as he all the time brings excessive vitality and participation from the group. The set transitions properly from KES The Band’s set as Shaggy has KES be a part of him on stage to play their collaboration, Temper. The KES and Shaggy work together and carry out properly collectively. Shaggy continued to play his set mixing in some early favorites and stopping some songs for crowd interplay and dramatic impact. This labored properly early on, however as he continued to do that all through the set, and it wore lengthy his time slot. That together with a protracted monologue he had about Jamaican wine (which appeared out of left discipline), triggered him to run over on time. Along with his set over 3 minutes over his hour slot, the competition was compelled to chop Shaggy off as he was simply beginning his iconic track, It Wasn’t Me. Shaggy stormed off the stage disenchanted he couldn’t play what the group was ready to listen to, leaving the group confused and disenchanted about what had occurred.
Some 14 hours in the past I met the lead singer at breakfast, grabbing espresso – now, Jacob Hemphill and SOJA are about to take the stage. Earlier than that, nonetheless, there’s a particular celebration of affection taking place alongside the rail within the entrance row of the present – 2 lovely souls (and now buddies) that share the love for reggae and SOJA are getting married. The gang surrounds them with love and assist as they put on particular Raised Fist Propaganda shirts made for his or her occasion.
Whereas I watch this celebration unfold, I can’t assist to be reminded how SOJA’s music has been with me by a few of my most vital instances in life– so glad these buddies discovered one another and are beginning their life collectively on this memorable approach.
Grammy Award Winners, SOJA take the stage to a packed home, and Not Accomplished But isn’t just my favourite track, as after a brief intro they begin their wonderful set with this favourite. In my view, SOJA has probably the most Roots Reggae sound of this technology from america, and they’re full of hits. They performed a mix of recent songs and outdated ones. One among my favourite moments is their mash-up of their track Shadow from their 2014 launch Amid the Noise and Haste, and (in all probability a track they’re uninterested in enjoying however means a lot to their followers) All the things Changes, I recognize them mixing it in as it’s such an attractive and highly effective track. I used to be thrilled to listen to SOJA finish their set off as powerfully as they began – with I Don’t Wanna Wait as their second to final bringing the vitality within the viewers to their tippy toes making an attempt to observe and catch a glimpse of Jacob, Trevor, Bobbie Jo, Hellman, Ken, and Ryan. I didn’t anticipate them bringing it full circle again to their 2006 first album, Get Wiser with the OG track,
Sorry that obtained many people hooked on their lovely music.
Day 2 was a magical day with approachable, humble artists, who had been all about connecting with their followers – beginning earlier than I might even open my eyes with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill (and we might meet Trevor Younger the subsequent day along with his spouse in our elevator, simply as nice and humble), The Harbor Boys, and Ballyhoo! connecting with the native crowd, Jesse Royal going out of his approach and getting down with the group like no different artist had carried out this yr, and Colle sticking round to signal autographs and take footage along with his followers for much longer after his set was completed in blistering warmth. A lot respect for these artists for being extra than simply musicians!
Matt Grube
Todd Judd
Reggae Rise Up 2024 – Day 2
