The Damian and Stephen Marley tour, called the Traffic Jam Tour, stopped at History in Toronto for a night of good vibes and good music.
Tonight, Damian and Stephen Marley’s Traffic Jam Tour stopped at History in downtown Toronto in front of what appeared to be a sold out crowd. With the recent release of the the Bob Marley: One Love film, the crossover appeal of his message that touched people of all ethnicities all over the world, and Toronto’s large Jamaican community, a sell out was pretty much guaranteed.
With clouds of marijuana smoke dotting the crowd, the night started with international DJ and Flow 98.7 Reggae radio host, Spexdaboss, spinning some foundational tunes as he brought the crowd back to the roots of Reggae music.
It was a family affair as London, Ontario resident, Tuff Gong/Universal Music Canada artist, and grandson to Bob and Rita Marley, King Cruff, fresh off the release of his single “FALLBACK”, took his turn rocking the crowd. Cruff seldomly refers to his place in the first family of Reggae, but he clearly inherited the gene for live performance. The charismatic singer-songwriter, who may have to change his name because he was dressed like anything but a “cruff” on Monday night, was smiling cheek to cheek as he performed songs from his growing catalogue, including “SHEDOENEED” which has received steady radio play in Toronto.
Then came the main event as Damian and Stephen Marley took to the stage following a narrated video intro. The brothers were led on stage by a flag bearer waving the Rastafarian flag who may have been the hardest working performer of the night after waving the flag intensely the whole night without missing a beat.
They opened with “10,000 Chariots” before taking their audience through their respective catalogues, including “It Was Written”, “Road To Zion” and of course “Welcome To Jamrock”, as well as some of their greatest collaborations, including “All Night”, “Tight Ship”, “Cast The First Stone”, “Jah Army”, and “Medication” after saluting Canada for legalizing their favourite plant.
They also sprinkled some of their father’s biggest hits throughout their set, including “So Much Trouble In The World”, “Pimper’s Paradise”, “Funky Reggae Party”, “Jamming”, “Is This Love” and “Exodus”. People danced and put their hands in the air, while lovers put their arms around each other and swayed. With video of their father on the screen and his biopic fresh in our minds, it’s clear that his sons singing his songs isn’t just about preserving their father’s musical legacy, but about continuing his message.
The words “good vibes” are overused today, but Damian and Stephan Marley’s show was really all about that. For those of Caribbean heritage, it was an opportunity to remember the songs that played on the record player at home and were a soundtrack to our childhood. For others, it was a moment to simply release their cares and feel the vibes (with no fears of violence because everyone was there to have a good time). For music heads, it was an opportunity to enjoy live instrumentation at its finest. And as Toronto seemingly drifts further away from its Jamaican roots, it was a reminder of a Toronto that once was.
Damian and Stephen Marley put on an exceptional show that at times felt like a 90’s basement jam and at other times an extended family gathering. Stephen, with his singing style (which has an uncanny resemblance to his father’s), and Damian, with his DJ style with powerful flows, balance each other out and play well off each other. Together they reminded us what a live show should be about—no gimmicks, no bullshit, no backtrack vocals; just good music and a solid performance fueled by a love and respect for the audience.
The Traffic Jam Tour stops next in Montreal before moving on to Brooklyn, Detroit and Chicago.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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