On Thursday, February 24, 2017, I attended the Grammy Award Nominee and Island Reggae artist J Boog’s concert for his “Washhouse Ting” Tour here at The Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz. I was unable to get an interview with J Boog due to his manager and peers saying that he was not feeling well but he did not show any sickness nor illness during his outstanding performance. Attached is coverage of the Wash House Ting Tour: J Boog, Jo Mersa Marley, Jemere Morgan LIVE at The Catalyst Club, Santa Cruz, 2.24.17 – Enjoy the concert review below written by Rizal Aliga (riz aka djrsd)!
DJ Westafa got the crowd bumpin’ and feelin’ the island/Jamaican and dub reggae vibe when the doors opened at 8PM and was the DJ throughout the show as he had a stellar night. At approximately 9PM, Jemere Morgan and band members came on stage and there has been no better opening act than Jemere Morgan that I have seen at The Catalyst. Jemere also stated during the show that he was not feeling well either but came out to perform just for the reggae fans in attendance. Jemere Morgan got the crowd involved early during his outstanding set.
Up next featured the Jo Mersa Marley, and yes he is related to Bob Marley, and happens to be Stephen Marley’s son. Jo Mersa Marley came out to Three Little Birds and obviously paid tribute to his grandfather, singing his world renowned songs. Jo Mersa also performed his own hit songs which the crowd really enjoyed. Before J Boog came on, Cisco of Big Body Radio collaborated with DJ Westafa and played music from the Bay Area to pump up the crowd to another level. Sounds included Tupac, E-40, Mac Dre and Too $hort. Cisco then introduced J Boog’s band which then introduced J Boog.
J Boog’s band had a sweet introduction as J Boog came out to Nuh Wan Dat which got the crowd groovin’. J Boog had an excellent performance, playing songs like Lifetime Lover and Love Season from Hear Me Roar (2007), and my favorite Coldest Zone. He continued with Sunshine Girl from Backyard Boogie (2011), Rose Petals (2016) and his most recent work Wash House Ting (2016). (I actually tried to take the crumpled paper outline of which songs they performed but they took it lol). He ended the show with his most known song Let’s Do It Again off of his self-titled EP he released in 2011. He engaged with the crowd frequently and the crowd rousingly responded with much love to J Boog throughout his show.
With this show being the first ever reggae show I’ve been to, it was an unforgettable night for sure. All the artists made the crowd feel the good vibes and there were no instances of violence or negative interactions in the crowd. Huge shout out to Chelsea, KZSC’s Promotion Director, J, KZSC’s New Media Director, and Earl Salindo, The Catalyst Club’s Manager & The Catalyst Club for this opportunity.
P.S. this show inspired me even more to become a reggae DJ. Be on the lookout next quarter, I could have my first show and who knows in what genre!
Thanks to all and One love. – Riz aka djrsd
(references: http://www.laweekly.com/music/reggae-got-samoan-singer-j-boog-out-of-compton-and-into-the-spotlight-7616049
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-puet/j-boog-island-reggae-boom_b_5980716.html)