Gary Crosby writes about Saturday’s (the 13th July) sell-out Catch a Fire show at the Southbank Centre with the Jazz Jamaica All Stars, Urban Soul Orchestra, Brinsley Forde, and Voicelab:
Unbelievable! We did it! We sold out the Royal Festival Hall with Catch A Fire on Saturday night and blew the roof off! That’s our second sold out Catch A Fire show at Southbank Centre in 9 months (we filled the Queen Elizabeth Hall last October when we were touring as part of the Lively Up! Festival). Just incredible, the sea of people on and off stage!
Big thanks to everyone who came and supported, and to the band and choir for being totally awesome. There were flames flying off the stage, the band and singers were on FIYAH, and the audience up on their feet, dancing and singing from the second tune!
I saw so many old friends in the crowd, some of whom I haven’t seen for years – wonderful catching up with some of them after the show. And it was great to see such a diverse group of people, on and off the stage. Just goes to show what a unifying effect this music has. Respect to Bob Marley and The Wailers! Respect to Jazz Jamaica All Stars, Urban Soul Orchestra, Brinsley Forde and the wonderful Voicelab choir.
Such an amazing, unforgettable night, and what a great after-party backstage – it was rammed! Even though the party’s over, we’re all still flying high on the great vibes and will be for a very long time to come!
Oh, in case anyone’s wondering where I disappeared to while Brinsley and the strings played Redemption Song, I went up to the rear stalls to sit with some of my family and watch the show. I’d been dying to see/hear the show from the audience’s perspective but, as the band leader, have never had the chance. Our decision to play a voice and strings only version of Redemption Song provided my first, possibly only chance to see the show live. Unfortunately, when I tried to get back, I couldn’t find the hidden door at the side of the stage! The ushers looked completely bemused and were asking me for my ticket! Fortunately, someone finally opened the door and let me in! Probably won’t be doing that again!
Peace and love.
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Sounds like they really caught the vibe! Takes me back to the Hard Rock in Manchester, last date of the Natty Dread tour – the atmosphere was beyond electric! When the I-Three were introduced – it felt like an current went through the house – and the heat in that shed – it was frying! The condensation was just dripping off the roof! What a night – Trenchtown Rock is indelibly etched …!