Friday is the kick off for Reggae Rise Up, a fourth-year festival that has expanded from a one-day parking lot party at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to an irie, three-day affair at St. Petersburg’s picturesque Vinoy Park. Organizers are doubling down on the growth by adding four official pre- and post-parties in downtown St. Pete. An unofficial after-party has even surfaced at Fubar. Here are details on the dready offerings. (Note that an RRU wristband will get you $5 off the door at official pre- and post-parties.)
Thursday, March 15: Reggae Rise Up Pre-Party w/Unified Highway/Oceanstone/Seranation Rebelution vocalist and guitarist Eric Rachmany and Amp Live (a renowned producer, DJ, and remixer formerly of Zion I) have crossed paths for Unified Highway. The duo fuses elements of reggae, electronic music, hip-hop, alt-rock, and soul into wholly unique takes on original music and the occasional cover (an interpretation of R.E.M.’s classic “Losing My Religion” is worth a listen). This is a free, all-ages event. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) INFO
Friday, March 16: Reggae Rise Up After-Party w/Iya Terra/Guerilla Panic Los Angeles roots, rock and reggae band Iya Terra (“By My Side”) headlines this Day One after-party. St. Pete ska-punks Guerilla Panic open. Tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. (Jannus Live) INFO
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Ontario's Jungle Man Sam channels EDM, pop and reggae on "Up For You" — listen
Saturday, March 17: Reggae Rise Up After-Party w/Nattali Rize/Jungle Man Sam Mississauga, Ontario’s Jungle Man Sam has been playing music since he was 9, and is influenced by everyone from Diplo to Bob Marley. He opened for Collie Buddz at Jannus last October, and on Saturday he returns to the venue once again as an opener for Nattali Rize, an Australian breakout songwriter and activist. $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. (Jannus Live) INFO
Sunday, March 18: Reggae Rise Up After-Party w/Expanders/Sensamotion/Dubbest Los Angeles roots outfit Expanders reaches back to the 1970s for its vintage reggae sound. Atlantic City dubfire rocks Sesamation open the show along with San Diego-based outfit Dubbest. $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) INFO
Sunday, March 18: Minglewood Productions Reggae Rise Up After-Party w/That captain/TreeHouse/Part One Tribe/Bear Witness This one isn’t an official RRU event, but it will still let you get your fix of folky jams (That Captain), hip-hop (Bear Witness) and jam-rock (TreeHouse). $8, or $6 with an RRU wristband) (Fubar, St. Petersburg) INFO
