Jimmy Cliff Tickets

This was absolutely the most amazing live concert I have ever been to. Jimmy and his band were amazing. He was engaging, energetic, fun, funny, and I got the feeling that he was just so thankful to be there. His message was so positive and it truly touched me. His voice was amazing- clear and strong throughout the night and there was NO LIPSYNCING OF ANY KIND. I was so impressed because he danced, jumped, kicked his legs and sang for the entire night and was still raring to go at the end of the concert! And he played instruments throughout the performance, bongos and guitar- his playing is amazing. The entire crowd went so wild at the end! Jimmy Cliff is a true artist, if you see him you will gain a life changing experience, no matter what your age, race, color or creed is.

Hollywood Bowl presented it’s 13th annual Reggae Night this past weekend. Past headliners have included Maxi Priest, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Ziggy Marley and Sly & Robbie. For me, this was my first real exposure to a full night of this style of music. I was pleasantly surprised that I had a good time. The first name you think of when you think reggae music is Bob Marley. He was such a huge artist, his influences are still felt today. Surprisingly, none of the artists covered him that night. I was expecting to hear a cover song or two, but it didn’t happen. Currently the Canadian group MAGIC! has had a #1 reggae-inspired hit with the song “Rude.” So reggae music is still vital in today’s marketplace. First up for the evening was Don Carlos and the Dub Vision Band. Don Carlos first got his start in a group called Black Uhuru. His 7-member band included a 3-piece horn section. With his dreadlocks and full beard, he looked like a typical reggae singer. His songs were decent if a bit non-descript. The stage rotated and it was time for the next act, Shaggy. He was the one I was the most familiar with for the night. He had a string of hits during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Dressed in shorts, tank top, and jacket with a Brooklyn ball cap. He got the crowd on their feet, where people stayed for his 45 minute set. His band included a DJ who played snippets of songs including “Blurred Lines,” “Empire State of Mind” and “California Love” in an effort to get the crowd pumped. He still played off his sexiness at 45. He made a point of showing his chest, and he stuck his microphone in his shorts with the tip out like it was a penis. And showed off his dancing and grinding skills too. The songs held up pretty good, and the crowd was really into his performance. He sang a sexy duet with his back-up singer Melissa from an album that was produced by Sly & Robbie. Highlights included “Angel” and “It Wasn’t Me.” During the break, Anne Litt (local DJ from KCRW) came out and thanked the artists that performed as well as the radio station for sponsoring the concert. The finally act of the night was reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. He has been honored with the Jamaican Order of Merit for his achievements in arts and sciences. His first song was performed by his band unplugged, with his band members contributing backing vocals and drum beats. The full band was used for the rest of the night. He proved to be a very spry 66 year old. He was dancing and moving around the stage for his whole set. He said how this was not work for him, it was all fun. Some of the songs had a bit of a political bent included his own “Vietnam” (which was repurposed as “Afghanistan”) as well as “Rebel Rebel.” He commented on how we needed more love in the world, and an end to all wars and violence. He also mentioned his career as an actor as well as writing songs for movies. Highlights for the night included “Wide World,” “You Can Get it if You Really Want” and “I Can See Clearly Now.” The crowd was very racially diverse, and was there to have a good time. It was fun to watch the people walking to their seats and dancing along to the reggae rhythms as they moved along the walkway. In my opinion, Shaggy was able to move the crowd more, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the headliner next year. But his song catalog is not as diverse or well-rounded as someone like Jimmy Cliff. Both are good entertainers. I also noticed that the crowd thinned some as the night went on… but that might have to do with it being Sunday night. Thanks to all for a fun evening at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.

Simply great. best reggae show ive been in my life.

Excellent concert! Especially loved Don Carlos and the master Jimmy Cliff. Bring them back again!

It was a perfect day at the Hollywood Bowl in mid-July to go watch reggae from legendary performers Don Carlos, Shaggy and Jimmy Cliff. Don Carlos brought the traditional reggae set in with grace, style and energy with his full band with live horns. He is a master and his voice and showmanship were top notch and performed hits spanning his more than 40 year legacy. Then came Shaggy -- a man who is no stranger to the stage. He teased, flirted and brought the crowd to their feet in his slightly over 45 minute set. Bringing hit after hit, Mr. Boombastic showed us what a combination of what a man from Brooklyn and Jamaica can to bring to the reggae world. For the grand finale, Jimmy Cliff brought us home first with a few acoustic songs with the conga drums to his full band. A legend, he has been singing our songs for more than 50 years. From a rocking Harder They Come to a soulful Many Rivers to Cross, Jimmy Cliff is a true master.

This is one of the best reggae concert I've attended for the past 5 years. The music was awsome!!

BEST CONCERT OF MY LIFE! PERIOD! NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN.

Epic good time! Show was fantastic! If you have a chance to see this legend live, please do. Great venue with beautiful sound. Crowd was polite and easy going, truly a good time. Take a family member as I did. My daughter and I would do it again. Shaggy put on a really good show, very entertaining!

Jimmy Cliff is not only one of the seminal figures of the genre, but a consummate entertainer with no trace of let-down in his 70+ plus years. Unlike some aging rock stars, his high notes sparkled like a bell, finding no need to sing in a lower key or take musical shortcuts. He pranced and danced around the stage, cajoled and flirted with the audience like a man a third his age. He not only played 2 great tracks from his recent album(Rebel Rebel and Upside Down), he played the old favorites too. I particularly enjoyed the journey through some of the Reggae's early influences...ska and rocksteady. His reggae-tinged Cupid was an homage to one of his influencers- Sam Cook. The crowd, which ranged approximately from age 8 to 78, soaked it all in like a pina colada during a Jamaican sunset.

Jimmy Cliff gave a fantastic performance at The Fillmore...it was a Reggae Night to remember! He started off with the soulful "Rivers of Babylon" and then launched in to an unbelievable set. He sang most of his classics, including "I Can See Clearly", "The Harder They Come", an updated "Vietnam" (Yesterday I got an email, from my friend, fighting in Afghanistan...), and too many more to mention. He debuted a beautiful new song called "Welcome Home" on one of his four encores. Jimmy is on fire, spreading love and positive vibes! He loves the audience and you can feel it. 100% IRIE!

Don Carlos and Dub Vision Band were great! Too bad they came on first while people were getting to their seats, eating dinner, etc. It was disrespectful to these great performers. Signs all over the place said that once the performance started, people would be admitted at appropriate times. This rule was obviously not followed. Shaggy was OK when he sang. However, most of the time he yelled at the crowd, made obscene gestures, and was otherwise a bore. He should have been the lead act or left out altogether. Jimmy Cliff was great!

It has just been amazing! The performances, the venue, the weather Just an incredible evening Thanks you guys!

I had a blast at Reggie nights! This was my first year and I will definitely go back next year. Not only was Shaggy performance off the hook and so energizing so was jimmy cliffs performance. The venue as amazing!

Jimmy Cliff delivered! His voice is still great! And his band performed immaculately! He performed his most memorable hits and rocked them harder than ever. His rendition of WILD WORLD was the best I've ever heard!

Wicked show! Future reggae events at Hollywood Bowl should have authentic Jamaican foods and dishes for sale. If you don't know, it is the Jamaican food (jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and beans, plantain, etc.) that really entices the people, as the good lines would be constantly full of people, even during the entire concert! More revenue also for the Bowl.

Great venue. Great music. Great people watching. Would return again and again and again.

This was my eleventh Reggae Night at the Bowl, and its snuck into my all-time Top5!! Don Carlos came out just as the sun was setting and it was a mystical atmosphere that was truly enrapturing.. Don Carlos was the missing link from all the previous Hollywood Bowl Reggae Nights.. When he sang "Harvest Time" my heart went out to the people of Palestine.. Dancing around the entire place like it was a rootz reggae rave my legs are killing me but certainly worth it! Already looking forward to next year :) Also was the best Jimmy Cliff show, when he played the Nyabinghi it moved the Holy Spirit across the night skyline in the Hollywood hills there.. Such mystics to bring Rastafari love to the people of Los Angeles, 20,000 strong singing together in love and harmony of the Spirit. Jah love! My Reggae Night Top Five btw: 1) Burning Spear 2007 (2) I-Threes 2011 (3) Culture 2005 (4) Bunny Wailer 2004 (5) All the Marleys with Bunny and Ras Michael 2006

Everything was just PERFECT!!! Don Carlos...SHAGGY...and Jimmy Cliff were FANTASTIC!!! We had THE BEST SUNDAY EVER!!!!

Fun night at the Bowl. Reggae Night crowd full of life and ready to rock-steady. Shaggy had a great band, but was little more then a cheerleader. Kept telling the audience to get up but did little musically to back up his words. Jimmy Cliff a thrill to hear after all these years. Opening acustic songs were great. Some of the classics were a true treat. (Seemed like he was having monitor problems, as things went off key from time to time.)

Not a fan of Shaggy, but the crowd was really into it. Am surprised at how much energy Jimmy Cliff has for an old timer. Amazing voice.