It was a fantastic Sunday night at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg, PA, for Stephen “Ragga” and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and their Visitors Jam Tour. This was the second installment of the Visitors Jam Tour; the primary passed off early final 12 months, and I had the chance to attend the Philadelphia present in March of ’24. I stunned my spouse for her birthday since she had by no means seen both of the Marley brothers carry out dwell.
Stephen and Damian persistently ship an excellent efficiency, showcasing their unbelievable chemistry whereas guiding the gang by way of a journey of reggae’s previous, current, and future. They spotlight their solo work, highly effective collaborations, and improbable renditions of their fathers’ timeless classics. Over the previous 20 years, they’ve teamed up on quite a few musical tasks, most just lately collaborating with Child Cham on “Hustling in My Blood” and “Forged the First Stone” from Stephen Marley’s album Outdated Soul, together with many different hit songs that mirror their unmistakable bond. You’ll be able to clearly see the love they’ve for one another, their music, the message they convey, and their viewers.
The evening started with the band enjoying, setting the stage for an thrilling journey forward. As Bob Marley’s voice welcomed us into “10,000 Chariots,” Stephen stepped onto the stage, able to ship a musical stampede. Damian burst onto the scene, taking management of the mic, and the power within the room surged like midnight ravers.“Pom, rom, pa, ba, dom, ba, dom, ba, ba, dom. Babba, dom, ba, dabba, dom, ba, dom, ba, ba, dom” the tour title observe is subsequent as Stephen takes us by way of the “Visitors Jam.” Stephen singing, “Very first thing him waan to know is the place dat scent is comin’ from. Are you smokin’ marijuana?” to which the gang enthusiastically replied, “Sure, I’m!”
Then, the efficiency shifted to a traditional Bob Marley tune, “So A lot Bother,” blended with Damian’s personal spin, “Bother.” Listening to these mash-ups was one thing particular; they offered a contemporary sound whereas staying true to the vibe and message of Bob Marley’s classics. Stephen additionally handled us to considered one of his hits, “Hey Child.” At 18 years previous, it’s already turning into a traditional in its personal proper, and he sounded improbable whereas performing it.
There’s one benefit of music: when it hits, you are feeling no ache! Subsequent up is Damian’s “Kingston 12,” with Stephen kicking issues off with the hooks, after which Damian brings a lot power that he captivates the gang. It’s as if we’re all in Kingston 12, grooving collectively. They’ve such a wide array of songs to select from, and this set listing is a refreshing change from earlier years’ Visitors Jam Excursions, which is improbable. The excessive power and optimistic vibes proceed as they carry out “All Evening.” They do a playful “dance” the place they maintain their arms straight out in entrance of them and march in direction of one another. The grins on their faces are huge; you may see they’re having a good time collectively. Their love for performing shines by way of and resonates with the viewers.
One in all my absolute favourite songs that they’ve carried out collectively, which I’ve not but heard dwell, is “Pimpa’s Paradise.” Taken from Bob’s hit tune, they’ve performed an incredible job remixing this model. As Stephen begins with, “Hey! She likes to celebration, have a superb time,” I get chills, and when Damian chimes in with, “’Trigger coke was a factor that when she first tried. Was as soon as a blue moon to as soon as a blue sky,” I really feel choked up. There are specific songs that hit excellent and might transport you to a different place, like a pure mystic flowing by way of the air. This sense continues with “Transfer!” as Damian flows so effortlessly on the mic, quick and livid.
When Stephen grabs his guitar, we all know we’re about to listen to “Tight Ship.” This tune refers to a disciplined and orderly setting, significantly inside a household or group. It pays homage to his father and his work ethic with the road, “There isn’t a room for errors, papa mentioned, crusing a decent ship ashore.” Damian then addresses the haters, stating that nothing was handed to them; they work tougher than anybody else: “Nuff a dem a get unhealthy thoughts and saying, ‘These smug Marleys.’ Them say who Jah bless, no man curse; Babylon is innocent. Alright now, nuff a dem exhausting at work, them watching who’s working the toughest.” “It Was Written” comes by way of the audio system with Damian main the way in which. This tune sounds wonderful, and the one factor that would have made it any higher is that if Capleton strolled out on stage.
Stephen requested the gang, “Do you’re keen on reggae music?” The response was a convincing, “YES!” He repeated the query, and the gang responded even louder, “YES!!!”
Among the best songs to listen to dwell from Stephen and Damian is “Jah Military.” There was a lot power and interplay between the brothers, and their grins and smiles have been improbable to see.
Subsequent, it was time for Jr. Gong to teach us on all the advantages of marijuana as they transitioned into “Medicine.” Stephen’s candy voice rang by way of on the hook, complemented by Damian’s masterful vocals and lyrics. When Damian sang, “Inna fields of marijuana, that’s my playground,” the gang responded loudly, “I LOVE YOU, MARY JANE!” He appeared to benefit from the response a lot that he took us again by way of the lyrics a second time.
It was now time for a crowd favourite and one other traditional from Ragga and Jr. Gong, “The Mission.” The viewers excitedly reacted as they heard the band begin enjoying, and the power ranges rose, feeding Stephen and Damian as they delivered a robust efficiency. Whereas the band sounded wonderful all evening, they significantly shone throughout this tune, particularly with the spectacular guitar solos that elevated the power even additional. Damian then delivered “Love and Inity,” going by way of his lyrics in a militant and highly effective method, giving shout-outs to his brothers and Buju. He talked about, “Nicely, inform ’bout ‘Works To Do’ by Ziggy Marley. Buju Banton raggamuffin with the Do-Re-Mi. ‘Loving Clear’ by Ju Ju Royalty. Beneath the Maestro with I ‘My Daddy’.”
The band easily flowed right into a Stephen Marley dwell normal, “Punky Reggae Social gathering,” as he inspired the gang to affix in: “New wave, new craze (Punky punky punk). New wave, new wave, new phrase (Punky punky punk).” This elevated the joyous ambiance that everybody was having fun with! The solar was shining, the climate was candy, it was making us wish to transfer our dancing ft as Stephen carried out “Solar Is Shining.” His rendition was so candy that you may really feel Bob Marley’s spirit within the air. When the band started the primary few notes of “Is This Love,” the gang erupted with pleasure! Ragga and Jr. Gong did a improbable job protecting this tune, and the viewers at all times appreciates their efficiency. Not a single individual within the crowd was standing nonetheless; everybody was singing alongside, dancing, and having fun with the great vibes collectively.
Simply if you suppose the power and pleasure couldn’t get any greater, “Rock Stone” hits the audio system. The band is vibing, Stephen is nailing the lyrics, and Damian is dancing everywhere in the stage. The group bounces up and down, following Damian’s lead. However once they drop into the dubstep, BAM! The liveliness reaches an entire new stage!
Then, Damian brings out his son Elijah, and WOW does he sound good. The expertise clearly runs within the household. As Elijah steps onto the stage to take a verse on “Rock Stone,” he immediately engages the gang. He transitions right into a reggae model of Blake Shelton’s “God’s Nation,” singing: “Sittin’ with my uncle and daddy on the muddy riverside. Baptized in reggae music and vibes with the canine runnin’. Saved by the sound of being discovered; roots reggae within the wind,
That’ll get you Heaven-bound. The satan went all the way down to Kingston, however he didn’t stick round.”
When he shouts, “Arms up now!” should you had your eyes closed, you’d suppose it was a younger Damian acting on stage. Elijah brings his personal Damianesque aptitude, toasting and showcasing his fast cadence as he jumps up and down. Stephen yells to the gang, “Give it up for little Zilla!” and the gang erupts. It was improbable!
Zilla requested the gang in the event that they wished to listen to some new music, and I instantly thought it needed to be “Hustling In My Blood.” I turned to my spouse and mentioned, “I ponder if Child Cham is right here.” Simply then, Cham got here out as Stephen kicked off the hook, singing, “Hustling ina mi blood. Guh for it ina di mud. Tru the hearth and the flood. Take heed to my each wud. Whoa, we the strongest of the strongest. Whoa, we will likely be right here the longest.” That is my favourite tune proper now; it’s so good. Child Cham took over along with his verse, charming the gang, adopted by Damian, who delivered his verse powerfully. The viewers was bobbing their heads, clearly having fun with the efficiency. Cham then launched into his traditional hit “Ghetto Story,” once more commanding the stage and the gang. The power was electrical, and it was extremely entertaining, an ideal addition to the Visitors Jam tour!
Damian requested the gang to drag out their lighters and telephones and wave them within the air as he transitioned into “Street to Zion,” a tune that at all times hits me emotionally. The music flowed by way of the air as Damian guided us on this journey along with his lyrical prowess. “I obtained to maintain on walkin’, on the highway to Zion, man. Hey, we obtained to maintain it burnin’, on the highway to Zion, man.” The piano started, and Damian said, “I simply wish to say, it’s not the place you’re from, it’s the place you’re going.” All of us knew what was coming subsequent as he referred to as out, “Jamaica, Jamaica, Yeah, Jamaica, Jamaica, Yeah, Jamaica, Jamaica, Yeah, Jamaica, Jamaica!” Regardless of what number of instances I’ve heard “Welcome to Jamrock,” it by no means will get previous. You’ll be able to by no means tire of listening to it, particularly dwell. Damian introduced the power, and the gang sang and danced together with him, making it an expertise to really cherish.
Because the present was winding down, it was time for the Bob Marley traditional, “Exodus.” With the sound of guitars strumming within the air, Stephen and Damian took us on a journey by way of the masterpiece created by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was the proper ending to the Visitors Jam Tour. Because the brothers walked off the stage to thunderous applause, all of us sensed there was yet one more tune left in them. The tour supervisor requested the gang in the event that they wished extra, and a convincing “YES” rang out. He requested once more, and we erupted with one other enthusiastic “YES!”
Encouraging us to chant “Marley, Marley,” the power inside the crowd grew. As we referred to as out Marley, we heard the distinct, syncopated riff of the guitar with the popcorn selecting, adopted by the Cuica drum. The keyboard entered on the downbeat, and everybody started singing alongside to “May You Be Beloved.” J. Boog joined them on stage to ship a number of verses, lending an excellent efficiency that introduced a Pacific Island vibe to the combination. Child Cham additionally joined in, ramping up the power much more.
It was essentially the most optimistic and ideal approach to finish the evening—a celebration stuffed with nice music, lovely vibes, and plenty of love. My spouse beloved the present, and at last attending to see them each dwell. She beloved listening to Stephen’s voice and watching Damian as he danced and managed the gang all evening.
I’ve seen Stephen dwell in live performance over 15 instances and Damian almost as many. I can confidently say that each efficiency, particularly once they carry out collectively, will get higher and higher. They’re like a high-quality wine that improves with age. Their sound is flawless, the vibe is unmatched, their vocals are as highly effective as ever, and the power is unbelievable. There’s actually a pure mystic surrounding them when they’re collectively. This present was an absolute masterpiece and a pleasure to expertise.
One Love, Todd M. Judd
Stephen & Damian Marley, Visitors Jam Tour. PA 2025