Rarely do weekend festivals bring as much to the table for cuisine as they do with music – pun intended. Some fests feed on foodie-culture (another pun), like San Diego’s renowned KAABOO Del Mar Festival or Vegas’ annual enigma known as Life Is Beautiful; these are split between music, food, art and comedy although the […]
Category Archives: Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae on the Beach 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
On July 6th 2018, Latin-rock reggae Simbala band opened up the Reggae on the Beach show held at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. Next up was the guys in Cal1fa and they really got the crowed prepped for the fun to come. Then came crowd favorite Pato Banton, who even with heat reaching the 90s on […]
Stick Figure’s Johnny Cosmic gets creative on tour with “Lovely Day” | Top Shelf Reggae
I remember the first time I saw Johnny Cosmic up on stage with Stick Figure. I thought, who is this guy? Why didn’t I know about this new addition to one of my favorite bands? But, when you think a little harder, you know that Scott Woodruff would never add a new member unless it […]
Levitate 2018: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae, folk and rock lovers headed in masses to Marshfield, Massachusetts on July 7th, 2018, ready to enjoy a full weekend of music amongst friends old and new! Marshfield is a quaint little town, tucked away in the wildnerness just adjacent to Cape Cod and nestled on the very most outskirts of the bigger Boston metropolis; […]
Kings and Comrades “On My Way” album review | Top Shelf Reggae
After much anticipation, Philadelphia’s Kings and Comrades have just released their third full-length studio album on August 3rd titled On My Way. Led by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff McCaughey, the band has come a long way since they began over a decade ago. Starting with only two members, Kings and Comrades are now equipped […]
The Offspring, 311 & Gym Class Heroes in San Diego | Top Shelf Reggae
The Never-Ending Summer Tour featuring 311, The Offspring and Gym Class Heroes took over Mattress Firm Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA on July 29, 2018. Gym Class Heroes kicked off the show with fan favorites “Cupid’s Chokehold” and “Stereo Heart”. They were a lot of fun with a lot of fan interaction pumping up the […]
10 things you didn’t know you could do at KAABOO | Top Shelf Reggae
Few festivals go above and beyond. Sure, the point of these three-day endeavors is to have the best time possible, considering most cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars for a mere weekend’s worth of music. For that price, the experience better be transformational. A decade ago, there used to only be a core three events […]
School’s Out For Summer Tour at Vinoy Park | Top Shelf Reggae
The Saturday of July 21st at St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park went by so quickly, it was hard to realize in the moment that there were 11,000 people in attendance. The Florida sun clocked in at 97° and with nothing but humid air, it was definitely challenging. The challenge was accepted by all Stoopidheads, as everyone […]
Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018: Day Two vlog | Top Shelf Reggae
Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose returns to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for Day Two of Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018, capturing the entire day in top vlog fashion. Following sensational Day One performances, such as Jack White, Neil Young and The Pretenders, Day Two attendees were ready to rage, starting with a Prince […]
Thrive “Be Love” album review | Top Shelf Reggae
It’s been a few years since Thrive's last full length release, but the band is back filling the airwaves with their positive and uplifting vibes. On July 27th, Thrive released their new LP, Be Love. The band has put out several full-length albums, EPs and a handful of singles, so this Northern California band is […]
Slightly Stoopid at the Santa Barbara Bowl | Top Shelf Reggae
On June 24th, Slightly Stoopid’s School's Out For Summer Tour passed through beautiful sunny, Santa Barbara and played the legendary Santa Barbara Bowl. Pepper got the party started early with energy that was through the roof! Kyle McDonald from Slightly Stoopid came out to help them sing the song “7 Weeks” off their album In […]
Zahira releases “Mystic One” single | Top Shelf Reggae
I was surprised when I pressed play, shocked even, confused how a young lady reigning from Canada could sound so 'grassroots' and earthy. Residence aside, pleasure quickly ensued as I tuned into Zahira's new single “Mystic One”. I was baffled by the sound. I kept listening for what seemed like forever. I still could not wrap […]
Cali Roots 2018: Day Three | Top Shelf Reggae
Day Three of California Roots 2018 was one for the record books! Once the Monterey Fairgrounds gates opened, explosive energy was brought forth by bands like New Kingston, DARENOTS and GRAMMY-nominees Raging Fyah. Cali Roots 9 might've been on its last leg, but the fest was far from done. And, it wasn't just the energy that […]
Groundation returns with a new album and band | Top Shelf Reggae
Four years since their last studio release Groundation returns with an album that is truly groundbreaking in both its musical composition and social content. Taking the sound back to its foundation the group has been rebuilt by lead vocalist Harrison Stafford and features a dynamic set of musicians from both Jamaica and California. Stafford was […]
Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018: Day One vlog | Top Shelf Reggae
Experience what it was like to attend one of the best fests in southern California, as Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose covers Day One of Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl vlog style. Getting there a little late, the video explores half the first day's festivities, featuring headliner Neil Young, ska legends […]
KBong drops new track & video for “Easy To Love You” | Top Shelf Reggae
If he's not slaying the keyboards with Stick Figure, Hawaii's KBong is livin' it up creating his own music in whatever spare time he had. In his newly released single and music video for the new track “Easy To Love You,” KBong teams up with The Movement to up the ante. The new track is […]
Looking back on Levitate Music Festival 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
The east coast has a different air about their musical festivals than the west coast does. Both are valid experiences, both proffer the best of the best in arts and entertainment to the stage. However, festivals back east, like the annual Levitate Music and Arts Festival, have a certain sense of community that remains absent […]
Get ready for Life Is Beautiful 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
For the past six years, there has been one fall festival that has not only reigned at the top of the live entertainment list, but influenced the likes of KAABOO Del Mar, Coachella and beyond. Situated in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, Life Is Beautiful Music and Arts Festival has revolutionized Fremont Street, adding […]
Cali Roots 2018: Day Two afterparty | Top Shelf Reggae
Everyone knows the party doesn't stop once the headliner leaves the stage at the annual California Roots Festival in Monterey, California. This year, at Cali Roots 9, the Saturday night after party at Planet Gemini included Guam's For Peace Band and crowd favorite Iya Terra for kate night entertainment. Once the Bowl Stage emptied out, […]
Kyle Smith sits down at Cali Roots 9 | Top Shelf Reggae
Kyle Smith and drummer Scotty B sit down with Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose Day 2 at California Roots Festival 2018. Kyle Smith won the Pop-Up contest to be featured that weekend on the Weedmaps Stage, so the band talks their upcoming performance, what's to come this summer and hypothetical collabs. Artist links: Facebook | Instagram Tags: videos, scotty b, monterey […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Harsh Armadillo “Animal” | Top Shelf Reggae
New England's funky, hip hop conglomerate Harsh Armadillo goes primal in “Animal” off their latest, self-released BITE LP. A jazzy, downtempo track about certain passions known to overwhelm the senses after sundown, “Animal” is quintessential of the band's kinky groove, brought to you visually by Xander Hayes of XZH Visuals in this Top Shelf Reggae […]
Slightly Stoopid “Everyday Life, Everyday People” album review | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae rock is what it is today from the direct influence of few bands – Sublime being the breadwinning bellwether. But, Sublime made its mark on music in many ways, a primary one being when frontman Bradley Nowell unknowingly left his legacy in the hands of two adolescent Ocean Beach boys after signing them to […]
Dirty Heads with The Movement and Pacific Dub | Top Shelf Reggae
The summer tour featuring Southern California's own Dirty Heads has come to an end. With support from Pacific Dub and The Movement, the tour received huge praise via social media and can be officially labeled as a success! We caught up with the trifecta on their Indianapolis, IN show at the beautiful Farm Bureau Insurance […]
Collie Buddz releases “Love & Reggae” single | Top Shelf Reggae
Bermuda sensation Collie Buddz is back in action with his latest “Love & Reggae” off Ineffable Music Group – a song about, well, the good life. If you aren’t aware of Collie Buddz’ impressive career thus far, let’s just say his 2007 debut album sealed the deal for him to be a lifelong reggae great. […]
The Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018 experience | Top Shelf Reggae
Considering large corporate festivals are not reggae in nature, getting approved for media credentials under the moniker 'Top Shelf Reggae' is, in itself, an accomplishment. Upon hearing the lineup for Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018, with rock legends Neil Young and Robert Plant attached, I immediately sent in an application without a shred of hope that […]
Slightly Stoopid at Avila Beach | Top Shelf Reggae
Slightly Stoopid’s School’s Out For Summer Tour kicked off at the beginning of June with reggae dub band, Stick Figure and three-piece rock reggae band, Pepper. This tour is a total of seven weeks spanning the entire country. We were fortunate enough to catch the fifth show of the tour in Avila Beach, CA at […]
For Peace Band premieres “Always Love” single | Top Shelf Reggae
After gaining a mountain of recognition for their debut album, Guam’s For Peace Band is finally giving fans a taste of their sophomore full-length LP Always Love by releasing the title track ahead of time! Teaming up with Rootfire Cooperative has given the band fresh enthusiasm since their 2012 origin, which is something to say, […]
Oogee Wawa releases “City to City” single | Top Shelf Reggae
This past week, I had to opportunity to sit down and listen to, take notes and ultimately write a review of Oogee Wawa's new track, “City to City”, which just was released this Friday, June 22nd. What a perfect birthday gift!! “City to City” is a track pretty solidly created for the fans after years […]
The Ries Brothers interview at Cali Roots 9 | Top Shelf Reggae
The Ries Brothers take time out of their day to chat with Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose Day 1 at California Roots Festival 2018. The brothers touch on their two live performances over Memorial Day Weekend in Monterey, what's to come touring this summer, their debut album, upcoming new music, being in school on the […]
Rebelution “Free Rein” album review | Top Shelf Reggae
Over the last decade, Rebelution have dominated mainstream American reggae radio waves and wowed some of the biggest festival audiences around the world with their melodic reggae anthems. And although they’ve had an astounding impact on their home country, Rebelution’s journey is one that has played out on a global scale, with all the sweet, guitar […]
WORLD PREMIERE: Kings and Comrades “Life Is Alright” | Top Shelf Reggae
Philly-based band Kings and Comrades have fans excited with their “Life Is Alright” single and subsequent video – both out today! “Life Is Alright” marks the first single off the band's forthcoming sophomore LP via Roots Musician Records, following their debut album Get Away that dropped in early 2015. With such a deficit between releases, the […]
4 additional reasons to attend Levitate | Top Shelf Reggae
This July is looking Stoopid-ly sweet to attend one highly sought after summer festival. If anyone is a Boston native waiting for the chance to head back to Massachusetts, or a New England resident looking for an opportunity to drive along the coast to Marshfield for a weekend, Levitate Music and Arts Festival this July […]