If you didn’t get to Jamaica for spring break you should have
been at Mississippi Nights on the Landing this past Tuesday for the
Michael Franti and Ziggy Marley concert, which was characterized by
the high energy and vibrancy of music from the Islands,

To call him an opening act would simply be unfair. Franti of
Spearhead performed his album Everyone Deserves Music (2004), and
undoubtedly has a unique and equally entertaining performance that
is guaranteed to get people off their feet.

The concert was nothing short of phenomenal.

The music was filled with beats that moved the crowd. No one
stood still.

Straight out of San Francisco, Franti infiltrates his vivacious
beats with political and spiritual messages of tolerance, love and
pacifism.

Regardless of whether you agreed with his message, you couldn’t
help but experience what his message embodied: truth and a love for
life. SLU freshman Brent Carney described his message as “fresh and
much needed for this day and age.”

Franti had an uncanny ability to direct the other members of the
band on stage.

At various points in the show they would all just jam, following
Franti’s direction.

Each member of the band also was given the opportunity to be
spotlighted and the rest of the band went with it.

Surrounded by incredibly talented musicians and with a new
sound, this opener was a great segway to the headliner.

Ziggy Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, followed Franti.
His performance came from his first solo album, Dragonfly
(2003).

This was the first time he stepped away from the band the Melody
Makers. Through traveling and experimentation, Marley was able to
create a sound that was not only true to his roots but also
uniquely his own.

His talent is undeniable, perhaps the product of his father’s
genius and his own unique message.

His lyrics are both motivational and inspirational. The
performance itself was truly incredible. From his ability to
captivate and engage the crowd, to his stage presence, Ziggy Marley
embodies the talent of a true musician.

His lyrics also were filled with political messages of pacifism
and world peace.

An example of this is his song “Shalom Salaam” stating, ” Who
will take the blame for the blood of my children/To who does
vengeance belong to no one/We’re dying from tanks and suicide
bombs/The only answer is to live as one.”

He is an incredible musician, as well as all of the other
members of his band.

It’s a rarity in this day and age to find such talent that is so
well known and adored worldwide. Ziggy Marley may not yet be the
legend that his father was, but with the crowd acceptance and a
riveting performance like the one last Friday night, he’s surely on
his way.