In an America that votes for its idols and praises all things pop, it’s good to know there’s still room for true talent and originality. Thursday’s Matisyahu show was a showcase unlike any the island has seen in some time.
In an America that votes for its idols and praises all things pop, it’s good to know there’s still room for true talent and originality.
Thursday’s Matisyahu show was a showcase unlike any the island has seen in some time. Nearly 2,500 people turned out for the outdoor show on the Kaua‘i Community College campus. Light showers threatened early but couldn’t dampen the excitement of the eclectic crowd.
There wasn’t a bad seat in the house at the KCC Outdoor Arena. In fact, there were no seats. No permanent ones anyway. The quad-cum-amphitheater is little more than a courtyard between KCC buildings, but it proved a fine fit for the event. Kava and Kosher hot dogs satisfied concertgoers as they waited for to the show to begin.
A sluggish entry process left long lines and a 45-minute delay before opening act Citizen Cope took the stage for his mellow but thoroughly enjoyable half-hour acoustic set.
The clouds began to part and the stars came out as a bespectacled Matisyahu took the stage around 8:45 p.m., wearing a black yarmulke and the whitest sneakers this writer has ever seen that weren’t still in the box. The band powered through a 90-minute set with minimal commentary, instead allowing the frontman to stick with what he does best — kick Torah-laced lyrics in his unique, often furious, reggae style. In fact, the music paused once only briefly to allow the band to take a breather and Citizen Cope to return to the stage for an acoustic mash-up with the Hasidic reggae emcee’s able beat box.
Early in the set during “Indestructible,” the lanky emcee summited a tower of speakers stage left, surveying the crowd and swaying to the beat before returning to terra firma. His boyish grin shone even through his thick beard when the crowd began to sway along with him.
The entire band proved they were ready for the long tour ahead, with wicked solos from all members — Aaron Dugan on guitar, Borahm Lee on keyboards, Daniel Sadownick on percussion, Skoota Warner on drums and a funky Josh Werner on bass.
The 15-song set included the artist’s biggest hits, with the most passionate crowd response during radio gems “Youth” and “King Without a Crown.” When the band launched into “Jerusalem,” flashing lights revealed an audience jumping in unison with the artist.
It was a show that could very well open the door to more major recording artists appearing on Kaua‘i.
• Todd A. Vines is the associate editor of Essential Kaua‘i, Kauai Publishing Company’s visitor publication. He can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 256) or tvines@kauaipubco.com.
