BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The sweet and spicy scent of jerk chicken filled the air as a Philadelphia band belted out the music of Bob Marley.
The group, Jah People, was among the musicians at ArtsQuest's second One Earth ReggaeFest at SteelStacks on Saturday, July 1.
- OneEarth ReggaeFest featured reggae, dancehall, ska and soca music
- Hundreds turned out to the free event which also featured Jamaican eats such as jerk chicken, oxtail, curry chicken and rice and peas
- Headliners including Red Fox and Mighty Mystic
Hundreds attended the event, which featured dozens of vendors that packed the 10-acre SteelStacks campus.
The 12-hour event, scheduled to end at midnight, featured reggae, ska, dancehall and soca music with artists including Mighty Mystic, Red Fox, Space Camp, Mike Pinto, Elephants Dancing, Jah People, Rootsetters and Cultivated Mind.
Chill vibes
Come one, come all.
Gareth Shelton, as known as Red Fox, who was slated to perform at 10 p.m., spoke about the "oneness" he feels when performing at gigs such as One Earth.
"For me, performance is about becoming one with the audience," Shelton said.
"For me, performance is about becoming one with the audience. It's such a powerful vibration that you almost share it in almost a telepathic way and when [the audience meets] in the manifestation it's just an awesome feeling."Performer Gareth Shelton, as known as Red Fox
"It's such a powerful vibration that you almost share it in almost a telepathic way and when [the audience meets] in the manifestation it's just an awesome feeling.
"Once I'm on the stage and just being there with the people, to me, it's one of the greatest things, to be onstage and share that oneness."
Known for his hits "If You Love Reggae," "Bashment Party," "Pose Off" and "Down in Jamaica," Shelton said, "The thing with reggae music is there isn't any segregation, separation and no kind of negative vibration.
"It's all about beautifying people and having a great time," he said.
Caribbean eats, hemp products
In addition to music, the food at the fest was another big hit.
Attendees stood in a 30-minute line just to get a taste of eats from D&S Caribbean Kitchen, which was serving jerk chicken, oxtail, curry chicken and goat and other Caribbean staples.
There was also food from Island Noodles, Kona Ice and Cubano Xpress.
Vendors sold Bob Marley posters and bright color dresses and jewelry, along with hemp-based products, IV wellness drips and T-shirts featuring slogans such as "End Racism" and "End Gun Violence."
'One love'
Kevin Mark Holness, or Mighty Music, was set to take the stage after the sunset.
Weeks after performing in California with Julian Marley, son of late reggae icon Bob Marley (he's amazing and humble, Holness says) said he's excited to be back on the East Coast.
After Saturday's concert, he'll headline Surfside Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts, where he lives.
"Reggae is blowing up. It's popping all over. There's tons of festivals happening across the country right now.Kevin Mark Holness, or Mighty Music
Touring year-round, across the United States, he gets to see and feel the impact of his music — and reggae, overall, he said.
"Reggae is blowing up," Holness said. "It's popping all over. There's tons of festivals happening across the country right now.
"It seems more and more reggae-centered events are popping up. It brings a 'one love' experience together, which lends itself to a great festival vibe.
"For me, it's taken on a spiritual component. It's more [about]
roots and there's a lot of message in the music.
"While you're dancing and interacting with the audience, you're leaving the concert with some message that's deep in your mind. Sometimes you may not even know you're taking in those messages, but you are."
