Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, has been actively touring and performing for over 30 years. Like his father, Ziggy is known for spreading messages of love, unity, and social justice through his music. Though he often tours as a solo artist, Ziggy frequently invites other musicians to join him on stage during his concerts. So who are the artists that have been touring with Ziggy Marley recently?
The Melody Makers
Early in his career, Ziggy toured and recorded with his siblings as part of the family band The Melody Makers. The group consisted of Ziggy and his sisters Cedella, Sharon, and Stephanie, as well as brother Stephen. The Melody Makers were active from 1979 to 2002 and released over a dozen studio albums. Their music blended reggae, pop, and worldbeat influences. Though the siblings have gone on to pursue solo work, they sometimes still perform together. Most recently, Ziggy was joined by brother Stephen and sister Cedella during his set at Florida’s SunFest in May 2022.
Rebelution
In the summer of 2022, Ziggy co-headlined a U.S. tour with American reggae band Rebelution. The two acts were supported by Steel Pulse, the Green, and Keznamdi. Ziggy and Rebelution have collaborated before, with Ziggy making a guest appearance on the band’s 2020 album “In the Moment”. Their joint summer tour enabled fans to enjoy high energy performances from both Ziggy Marley and Rebelution each night. The two headliners often joined each other on stage for duets, creating special moments during the tour.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Ziggy teamed up with Michael Franti & Spearhead for a co-headlining North American tour in the summer of 2021. Franti is known for his brand of hip hop, funk, and reggae infused pop music that promotes positivity and social justice. Like Marley, Franti often uses his platform to spread awareness on important global issues. Joining the tour were supporting acts The Elovaters and Nesta Hatter. Ziggy and Michael Franti’s collaborative performances on this tour created a feel good musical experience focused on community, optimism and resilience.
SOJA
In 2018 and 2019, Ziggy Marley spent significant time touring with American reggae band SOJA. Just as Ziggy often promotes activism and social change through his music, SOJA is known for lyrics about environmentalism, inequality, and self-empowerment. SOJA members have cited Bob Marley as a musical hero and influence. Touring together enabled Ziggy Marley and SOJA to share their socially conscious reggae music with large audiences. The two acts were complemented by additional supporting artists like Collie Buddz, Trevor Hall, and Nattali Rize on joint tours.
311
Ziggy and American rock band 311 did a co-headlining U.S. tour in 2017. 311 is known for blending rock, reggae, hip hop and funk into their unique sound. Reggae influence has always been a core part of the band’s musical identity. By touring with Ziggy Marley, 311 was able to join forces with reggae royalty. For Ziggy, he was able to share the stage with a highly acclaimed rock band with a passion for reggae. Their collaborative tour enabled them to unite their diverse fan bases under one roof.
SOB X RBE
In 2018, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers were featured as headliners of California’s High Times Cannabis Cup festival. Joining them as co-headliners was hip hop group SOB X RBE from Vallejo, California. Alongside dozens of other performers, Ziggy Marley and SOB X RBE delivered energizing sets for the festival’s eclectic mix of music lovers. While the two headliners have different styles, the High Times Cannabis Cup gave them a place to showcase their music for an enthusiastic audience seeking live entertainment.
Collaborations with Other Artists
In addition to special tours and festivals, Ziggy Marley frequently collaborates with other artists by featuring them as guests during his shows. Here are some of the most notable artists that Ziggy has performed live with in recent years:
Artist | Song(s) Performed |
---|---|
Sean Paul | “Love Herbs and Reggae”, “Hey Baby” |
Shaggy | “Strength to Carry On”, “Angel” |
Matisyahu | “One Day”, “Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light)” |
Bruno Mars | “Could You Be Loved”, “Waiting in Vain” |
Cypress Hill | “Jamming”, “Dr Greenthumb” |
Slightly Stoopid | “Stir it Up”, “No More Worries” |
Taj Mahal | “Guava Jelly”, “Johnny Too Bad” |
Bringing other musicians on stage keeps Ziggy’s live shows fresh and exciting for both him and concertgoers. These special guest collaborators showcase Ziggy’s willingness to connect with artists across genres.
World Unite Festival
For many years, Ziggy Marley has been one of the driving forces behind the World Unite Festival held annually in Miami. This multi-day event brings together artists from numerous genres and cultural backgrounds to promote global solidarity through music. Ziggy performs with a diverse lineup of guest musicians each year. The 2022 World Unite Festival included joint performances between Ziggy and artists like Mahalia, Sheila E., Estelle, and Raíces Jazz Orchestra.
Future Touring Plans
Based on his active touring schedule each year, fans can always expect more exciting shows from Ziggy Marley. In fall of 2022, Ziggy has concert dates lined up across North America. He also recently announced the Beach Life Festival in May 2023 in California, where he will be a headliner. Given his propensity for collaborations and guest artists, Ziggy will likely invite both reggae stalwarts and cutting-edge newcomers to join him during these upcoming performances. There remains so much more legendary live music still to come from Ziggy Marley alongside his diverse array of talented collaborators and tourmates.
Conclusion
Throughout his career, Ziggy Marley has built a reputation for energetic live shows that promote joy, social causes, and musical community. He often tours alongside other acclaimed artists who allow him to share his reggae sound with new audiences. SOJA, Rebelution, Michael Franti, 311, and The Melody Makers are just a few of the bands who have created memorable concert experiences while touring with Ziggy in recent years. Ziggy also frequently performs live with special guest artists across genres ranging from Sean Paul to Bruno Mars. Fans can count on more incredible joint performances on upcoming Ziggy Marley tours and at his annual World Unite Festival. After over 30 years of touring, Ziggy Marley maintains his passion for uniting people through the power and community of live music.