I was lucky enough to attend Redfest again this year (I missed Jack’s Mannequin last year, but saw Flogging Molly in ‘06) and it was fantastic.  The lineup was Kalai, Brother Ali, and Matisyahu.  I was bummed about missing Matis on the Unity Tour with 311 last summer, so there was no way I was missing this one.  Unfortunate transport issues mean I missed the bulk of Kalai’s set, only realizing towards the end that they closed with a cover of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” so I can’t comment on them.

I did catch all of Brother Ali’s set, though.  Since everybody’s favourite Hasidic Jewish reggae mic master headlined, I guess it’s worth noting that Ali is Muslim.  He’s also white and from Minnesota, if you must know.  I only mention these details because he did, otherwise I’d only feel obligated to tell you that he is ably-tongued and amiable, and that he put on an enjoyable hip hop set and got us pumped for Matisyahu.

Matis, for his part, did not disappoint, but a lot of credit has to go to the backing band.  It didn’t seem like there was any kind of setlist, rather, as my bandmate Dave pointed out, “They just played, and sometimes songs happened.”  Like the opening song: jam for a bit, do some of a new song, jam some more, do a slowed-down verse of “Dispatch the Troops” over whatever the band is playing at the time.  A lot of the show was like that, with portions of other songs showing up when it feels right.  The encore featured a new song, and based on that I’m super excited about the release of Light later this year.

Sorry if this review feels a little weak, I’ve been away for too long.  I’m hoping to be sharper for the next Matisyahu show, Nov 26 at Harry O’s.