Live: Damian Marley @ Somerset House

by | Jul 11, 2017

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Summer 2017 has brought the heat and American Express have brought their Summer Series to Somerset House with another diverse line-up of artists. It’s the end of the week, the sun is beaming, there’s a warm breeze and reggae-riddims are bubbling, music lovers couldn’t have wished for more.

David Rodigan (nosa malcolm)

David Rodigan (nosa malcolm)

Dancehall and reggae DJ David Rodigan delivered classic, smooth punchy roots reggae, kicking-off a spectacular night of music. As the sun continued to shine, the crowd continued to arrive. The reggae vibes filled the air, echoing through the majestic courtyard.

Audience members reminisced and shook-a-foot to the best selection of classic tunes. Rodigan showed his style of showmanship on stage moving away from his decks and encouraging them to embrace the music with tunes like Rastafari Anthem sending the crowd crazy.

Closing his performance with a personal interlude speaking on the history of his rare and exclusive 1975 Bob Marley dubplate (especially recorded tracks with vocals that mention the DJ by name) Kinky Reggae. A special touch to end the evening, linking tonight’s show to a time when Bob lived in London after fleeing his motherland with fears of being assassinated.

Black Am I (nosa malcolm)

Black Am I (nosa malcolm)

A brief performance came from conscious lyricist and singer Black Am I, of the Ghetto Youth Camp. The self-titled track Black Am I and the classic sounds of Living Dread, nicely satisfied the crowd’s anticipation of the ‘Junior Gong’s arrival.

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Shortly after Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley entered the stage. Locks flowing, with head held high to the heavy drum beats of Skrillex‘s 2012 track Make It Bun Dem, hitting with high energy from the start. These are exciting times for reggae music and with just two weeks until the release of Damian Marley’s latest studio album Stony Hill, he played some of his new material including Medication which is dedicated to his love of a flower and highlights the criminalisation of its users, giving us a taste of things to come.

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Packed with a vast selection of tunes from his 2005 Welcome To Jamrock LP and including tracks from Distance Relatives, the 2010 collaboration with rap legend Nas, Damian Marley left no room for disappointment. The island rhythms rang-out with the sounds of Punky Reggae Party and Road To Zion, flexing against the contrast of this landmark setting. Also included were covers of his father’s classics Could this be love and I wanna love you.

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Being in the presence of reggae-royalty brings a special-high to any music lover. Enhanced by social commentary and songs of protest, Damian Marley’s energy had this sell-out show singing-out for more, with a message of love and togetherness.

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Damian Marley (nosa malcolm)

Keeping their hands held high, lighters or phones shining bright into the summer nights sky the crowd chanted in unison ‘Jamaica Jamaica’ as the familiar bassline of Welcome To Jamrock filled the area, bringing one of many highlights to end the show. A stand-out performance from the ‘Junior Gong’ , who showed his fans much love whilst creating lasting memories. And one last cry from a man holding a cultures pride, ‘Jah Rastafari’.

Nosa Malcolm was at Summer Series at Somerset House for Damian Marley on 7th July 2017

https://rockshotmagazine.com/25651/live-nubiyan-twist-islington-assembly-hall/

 

Billy Idol @ Wembley Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

Billy Proves He Is No False Idol, But A Truly Authentic One At Wembley Arena

Fresh from being well received at the inaugural Forever Now festival as well as a surprise appearance alongside...
Wide angle photo of Opus Stage and Arena at DownloadXXII

From Chaos To Catharsis: Sleep Token Silence The Doubters As Day Two Of Download Festival XXII Delivers Big Moments And Bigger Emotion

We’re back for Day 2 of Download Festival XXII. Would today live up to the great start we had yesterday? Let’s see…

Bludfest 2025 @ Milton Keynes Bowl (Ruby Boland)

Hello Heaven, Hello! Bludfest Returns Bigger Than Ever!

The elfin Elin Hall makes for the perfect entrance music, America swirling like the threat of rain overhead, as...
Nine Inch Nails @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Trent And Atticus Nine Inch Nail It At The O2 Arena

Every act craves that strong connection with their audience – but how do you achieve this in a cavernous space like The O2 Arena, filled to the brim with around 20,000 fans (all, naturally, dressed in black)? Well, in typical belligerent style, Nine Inch Nails meet this challenge head on – treating us to a set by turns poetic and punishing, and despite the odd technical hiccup, really delivering that all important connection.

L-R: Roger Taylor, John Taylor, Simon Le Bon & Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Duran Duran To Bring Their Spectacular Danse Macabre Halloween Party To Manchester’s Co-Op Live

British music legends Duran Duran have announced their first-ever UK Halloween extravaganza, set to take over Manchester’s Co-Op Live on Friday, 31st October 2025. Promising a night of haunting glamour, sonic mischief and spine-tingling surprises, the one-off show will mark the UK debut of the band’s acclaimed Danse Macabre Halloween Party.

Jane Remover @ Outbreak London 2025

Outbreak Festival Storms London: A Genre-Bending Baptism Of Hardcore, Chaos & Community

Outbreak has been the beating heart of the UK’s hardcore scene since 2011 at its home in Manchester, finally the...
Santana @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

A Higher Frequency: Santana’s Timeless Spirit Lights Up The O2 Arena

As London sweltered under a 32-degree summer solstice sun, a different kind of illumination awaited inside The O2 Arena. Carlos Santana—guitar deity, Woodstock survivor, and spiritual messenger—brought his legendary band and transcendental energy to the capital with his Oneness Tour, proving once again that music, when played with heart and soul, can truly heal.

Matt Bellamy of Muse @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Muse Return With Electrifying New Single ‘Unravelling’ — A Thunderous Taste Of What’s To Come

Muse have unleashed their blistering new single Unravelling, igniting excitement among fans as they return to the world stage with their trademark flair for drama and dystopian grandeur. The track marks their first new music since 2022’s Will Of The People and signals the beginning of a bold new chapter for the stadium-filling trio.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing