Heavyweight Dub Champion started off the evening without any introduction. Rather, the founder of the band, Grant McDonald Chambers who goes by “Resurrector”, showed up in a white wife-beater, touting the longest dreads you’ve ever seen and began slaving away at what appeared to be a synthesizer, drum machine, and sampler. He literally almost blasted the audience away with booming rap and dub beats. The young crowd was a bit unprepared for the loud, trance-like reggae vocals and underground dancehall which vibrated the walls, and most folks stood still in awe.
The Catalyst was packed to the brim by the time Matisyahu took the spotlight, and he opened with “Jerusalem” to roars of approval. With his Peyos (curly sideburns), kipah (head covering), Tzitzis (tassles), and long straggly beard, Matisyahu looked like many other Orthodox Jews. However, unlike most, Matisyahu is a pioneer of Jewish reggae, which he infuses masterfully with rock and hip hop.
On stage, Matisyahu was extremely relaxed, creating a very easygoing and unpretentious atmosphere. Guitarist Dave Holmes executed an epic solo while Matisyahu did the most adorable jig that can best be described as “the happy dance,” in which he hopped around and swayed his arms. They played older material such as “We Will Walk”, and “Time of Your Song” as well as gems such as “One Day” from the new album Festival Light. A rendition of the top 40 hit “King Without A Crown” was uproariously received, at which point a friend of his came and joined in on the happy dance. Matisyahu also busted out astonishing beat boxing skills, and surprised the audience when he altered his reggae vocals to a deep accent-less rap voice.
My favourite part of the evening was when Matisyahu’s kipah slipped while doing his jig and he had to take a short break from busting a groove to adjust it. Not only are his lyrics inspiring, and his talent unbeatable, he’s just plain adorable.
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