As a band I’ve personally only seen once before, I found myself intertwined in their vibe right away. They can speak volumes for the way in which an artist inspires them and has made an impact on their life. It’s always interesting to observe the crowd at shows. This message, actually, seemed like an appropriate mantra for the evening as the crowd not only physically kept dancing and smiling, but emotionally, as well, kept grinding. It was evident that the crowd understood the message and were singing back with the same intensity as they were receiving. This inspirational song serves as a reminder to believe in your inner strengths and keep grinding always. We were treated to hits such as “ Courage To Grow,” off the album of the same name. With six studio albums, these guys have an incredible library of hits to share with us.
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The entire crowd broke out into a blistering scream as it was finally Rebelution’s turn to take the stage. Their message of spreading positivity was inspiring, serving as an instrument for healing.Īfter four opening acts, everyone was properly warmed up. Their mix of spoken word and reggae, with gospel undertones, prove how deeply diverse and unique they are as a band. Throughout their set, the band took us through a musical and spiritual journey that forced you to delve deep into your soul, drawing out emotions that had been locked away for years. He opened with “Directions,” a simple, yet beautifully powerful song that had the entire crowd swaying. Knowing what a loyal fan base Nahko has, I was really anxious to find out for myself what all the hype is about. Next on the lineup was Nahko and Medicine for the People. By this time, the rain had retreated, leaving us with cooler weather and an understated, yet beautiful sunset. He offered us the perfect mixture of funky reggae tracks and polished melodies, while the crowd waved their arms and danced in approval. Buddz’s new album, “Good Life,” was released in May, and we were treated to most of the album’s songs throughout his set. With musical influences ranging from Hip Hop to Soca and Reggae, Collie Buddz brought something entirely different to the table. It’s really interesting to see the music interpreted through their paintbrushes. I’ve seen live painting at quite a few festivals and I always enjoy watching the creations take shape. Her silky, smooth voice blended perfectly with the band’s reggae, roots, and pop sounds, offering up their own rare sound.Īrtists Ania Amador and Christopher Morphis, also known as anamorphosis, were a stellar addition to this show. She naturally took to it and embodies the popular reggae term “irie.” The interplay between her and the band radiated positivity and warmth, indicating to me that they could not have chosen a more fitting band name. Hirie’s family settled in Hawaii at a young age, exposing her to the reggae culture. Her enthusiasm was contagious, ensuring the attendees were on their feet, singing and dancing, for the rest of the night. It amazes me how someone so petite can have so much energy. A few moments later, HIRIE herself came dancing out, with a huge welcome to the crowd. My heart did a little leap as soon as I saw Chris Hampton (saxophone) and Andrew McKee (trombone) walk out with horns in hand. I have to admit, I am a huge sucker for a horn section. Photo Cred: at 5:20, DJ Mackle exited stage left and HIRIE’s band members started to file in. I thought this was a nice added touch and even seemed to help keep the drink and bathroom lines to a reasonable level. In between each act, he came back out to ensure no one ever lost those good vibes. His diverse music collection, which included everything from Hip Hop to House and Reggae, ensured the crowd was grooving before the first band even took the stage. When I got there, Rebelution’s tour DJ, DJ Mackle, was just starting to throw down some tunes. Photo cred: Photography-by-Pheonix-Gruneich On July 30, Rebelution brought their “Good Vibes Summer Tour” to the amphitheatre, with special guests DJ Mackle, Hirie, Collie Buddz, and Nahko & Medicine For The People kicking off the show.
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Augustine Amphitheatre is a fitting host to some of today’s top reggae artists. With its stunning views from every angle and the cool beach breeze, the St. Florida Summers and reggae music go hand in hand.