Concert Sutra Celebrate Legacy With The Marley Brothers

Concert Sutra Celebrate Legacy With The Marley Brothers

 by terri sapp

Photographed by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Damian "Jr Gong" and Stephen

click photos for photo gallery

The summer is always the time for festivals to come through town.  Summer, 2005 offered many to choose from.  The weekend of June 10 through 12 proved a challenge for the indecisive.  Of course, everyone and their brother (except me and Leah) made the trek up to Tennessee for Bonnarroo.  Then there were those of us who remained faithful to Atlanta’s Music Midtown, which took place the same weekend.  If that weren’t enough, Atlanta also hosted the first annual VIBE MusicFest.  The VIBE MusicFest line-up rivaled the others from beginning to end.  From Ludacris to Faith Evans, Big Boi to Lauren Hill, even Common and Kanye West made an appearance.  For me, though, the group that got the least amount of “press” was the most uplifting and enjoyable.  The Marley Brothers’ celebration of their Father, Bob Marley’s Life of work touched me on the deepest part of my soul.  The actual sons of Bob featured in this particular event were Stephen Marley and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley.

From the first note of the introduction of the Marley celebration, I knew that VIBE MusicFest was in for a Kingston-style treat!  The Marley Brothers were the first of the night on Saturday night, but brought the energy of a headliner.  We were first introduced to Bob’s youngest son’s 1996 “Mr. Marley,” which is obviously a shout out to his father and the music he left behind.  Damian Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. “Junior Gong” started the show with high energy and a heavy reggae vibe on some of his solo material.  Stephen then joined Damian onstage for a “Marley Brothers” version of the classic “Kaya.”  Both of these boys have their own voice, unique to them only.  However, when Stephen hit the stage with one of Bob’s signature outfits, the jean shirt and jeans, I could have sworn there had just been a resurrection.  Stephen and Ziggy Marley are the spitting image of their Father, so every time I see them play music, I can’t help but wish Bob could walk out and join them for a few songs.  One day. Continue reading

Concert Sutra’s Music Midtown 2004

Concert Sutra’s Music Midtown 2004

by terri sapp

Photo Credits:     Ween and George Clinton photos taken by Ben Rose; Joss Stone photo taken by Chris McKay; Dave Grohl  and crowd surfer photos taken by Frank Mullen; and brought to you courtesy of The Wicked Group.

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

MMT 2004 crowd surfer by Frank Mullen            Each and every year on the first weekend of May in Midtown Atlanta, the biggest and best festival in the Southeast takes over!  The most special aspect of Music Midtown is that no matter what acts are booked to play, this weekend is nothing but fun.  2004 is no different.  I have attended this festival for the last several years, and have found that even if there don’t seem to be any artists that you aren’t interested in experiencing, you can always find something new that will catch your attention.  Not only are there several different stages set up in the middle of the city, but the price of the weekend three-day pass is truly noteworthy.  This year, I was able to catch a total of fourteen bands over the course of the weekend, and the ticket price is under fifty dollars!  Continue reading