Iration gets San Diego irie with Inner Circle, TTR, & more

Iration might’ve headlined the night, but the whole lineup was a vibe from start to finish. Not a single dud in the mix, with each act bringing their own flavor — it was one smooth wave of energy! And being at Gallagher Square in Petco Park didn’t make it your average Sunday Funday reggae sesh; it felt more like a living, breathing mood board of sound. From local rising voices to legends in the scene, the flow was on point, with the crowd soaking up the beautiful summer San Diego sun.

The day began with a fun surprise from Mouse Powell, an artist known for hip hop storytelling and soulful vibes.

He brought a mellow, yet engaging presence to the afternoon that caught the crowd offguard… but in a good way. His set was more conversation than performance and it worked. Even though he isn’t the ‘usual’ kind of reggae opener, Mouse Powell held his own and got the love he deserved.

Boostive rolled in with a unique blend of pure groove. Their sound was massive: a wild mix of dub, funk, reggae, and jazz that always comes together in as a slick, magnetic live performance. Every player onstage brought something tight and, together, it was like one big, trippy jam session. They had the crowd dancing along like we’d already hit peak hour.

By the time Through The Roots got on, the lawn was packed, drinks were flowing, and people really started to move. And these guys never fail. Their set was high-energy in the best way possible, promoting love, growth, and keeping it real. You could tell a lot of people came out specifically to see them, too.

It was big crowd energy by this point.

Then came a true reggae moment. Inner Circle — yeah, those Bad Boys of Reggae — hit the stage to a roar that said it all. From their famous “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” to the globally recognized “Bad Boys” theme song, their set was a joyful reminder of reggae’s golden roots. The band, still full of charisma and stage presence, even had the back rows dancing. It was an intergenerational celebration, with teens and OG fans united in timeless rhythm.

Finally, they might be from Hawaii, but Iration pulled up like hometown heroes. Their set was buttery smooth, fluid, and hit that perfect cruise-control setting after a long day of sun, drinks, and camaraderie. They mixed in newer tracks from Daytrippin with older stuff us SoCal crowds have bumped for over a decade, with the whole show landing like a sunset you didn’t want to see end.

Honestly? It was just a dang good day. Good music, zero drama, and a crowd that actually showed up to enjoy themselves? Sign me up. Every band brought something different and, by the time Iration wrapped it up, nobody was ready to leave. If every Sunday ended like this, we’d all be in a much better mood come Monday!

Photography by Olivia Valdes

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