When the birthday of the world’s most widely known reggae star rolls around, it’s no surprise that reggae band High Tide, winner of ICRT’s Battle of the Bands in 2008, would want to celebrate the life of the man who introduced the genre to so many people.
“Bob Marley was not a musician as much as a messenger,” said Moshe Foster, lead vocalist and guitar player for High Tide, who credits Marley with “voicing the emotions and struggles of millions of people throughout the world.”
To celebrate the life of this influential performer, who was born on Feb. 26, 1945, two parties will be held this weekend with live sets by High Tide followed by recordings of Marley’s music.
Though Foster used to rock with his prior band Public Radio, the message of Marley’s reggae has influenced his current direction in music, and is the reason he feels it is so relevant in Taiwan: “His music was filled with love and optimism,” said Foster, “empowering listeners to set aside their differences and see the similarities and unifying qualities of their fellow human beings and raise their own voices to be heard.”
The band will do cover versions of some of Marley’s best known hits, with Foster as DJ Moses and drummer Gregory Russell as DJ Ting also spinning favorites like I Shot the Sheriff, No Woman, No Cry, Could You Be Loved and Redemption Song.
Tonight’s show is a chance to see the band free of charge at Roxy Roots before the venue’s new cover charge policy begins next month, said Root’s new PR manager, Patricia Tsou (鄒佩菁).
“We’re not making any profit,” said Tsou. “Last weekend we had a full house, it was packed but more than half the people were not buying drinks.”
Indeed, it is common to see customers and musicians standing outside of the club drinking beer from nearby convenience stores. Tsou expressed concerns about the viability of paying bands to play when the fans aren’t ordering drinks.
“We want to support the bands,” she said. “Especially to be able to pay extra for out-of-town bands to help cover their transportation costs or be able to pay for bigger name acts.” Starting next month, the cover charge will be NT$300, of which patrons can use NT$200 to purchase food or drink, and the remaining NT$100 goes straight to the band.
High Tide celebrates Bob Marley’s birthday tonight from 10pm at Roxy Roots, located at 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Admission is free.
The party continues tomorrow in Taichung from 10pm at The Light Lounge, 85 Huamei W St Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市華美西街一段85號). Admission is NT$300, which includes one drink.
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