Rebelution & friends fill Florida’s Vinoy Park

“There’s nothing like roots reggae music” and you could feel that as you got closer to Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, FL on September 17th. With dub style music in the air, reggae family came from all around to join together for Keznamdi, Kabaka Pyramid and, of course, the amazing Rebelution. The Good Vibes Summer Tour at Vinoy Park is like a small one-day version of Reggae Rise Up: it’s a magical place to hold a music festival with plenty of space, palm trees, hammocks, views overlooking the water and beautiful sunsets. Add in the spectacular light show, along with the phenomenal music and it’s an unforgettable experience every time. 

Keznamdi opened the show and came out strong with a powerful performance. It was as if he took all of us straight to Jamaica with his music and the crowd loved every bit of it. His lyrics and vibrations blew me away; he has a ‘Marley feel’ that you need to see it for yourself. If you never heard of Keznamdi, go check his music out right away and catch him live. Right after that, attendees stayed in that ‘Jamaica feeling’ with Kabaka Pyramid taking the stage. Kabaka has a strong presence onstage, with mind-blowing lyrics and roots music rendering him a global success. He had everyone bouncing, waving arms and singing together all as one to some of my favorite songs. Check him out — you won’t regret it!

DJ Mackle blasted the roots reggae music in between bands to keep the crowd’s energy going.

And then, it was time for Rebelution. As soon as silhouettes were seen coming out onstage, the crowd went wild. The light show with Rebelution is always a one-of-a-kind, jaw-dropping show in itself, then you add all the amazing musicians and you’re for sure in for a memorable show. Rebelution brought us all back from Jamaica with a more Cali-style reggae and a more rock-roots feel. It was simply an amazing feeling with paddle boards, jet skis, small boats and big yachts lining the Vinoy sea wall and thousands of people by the stage all singing along with Rebelution… you could probably hear us across the Tampa Bay! All of these bands make conscious roots reggae music, installing messages and stories of truth in listeners, touching on the Devine, love, human rights and justice. By time the night ended, everyone was walking out in an awe state of mind, saying “that was an epic night”! To think that Reggae Rise Up Florida is only a month away and until we’re back! 

Photography by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson

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