This was year three for RRU MD, and while it was scaled back a bit, one stage, less artists, smaller crowd, it was a great overall weekend of reggae, fun, good people, good food, good drinks!  They added a beer fest this year, and the crowd seemed to like the option of some local brewers being there but honestly since it was away from the stage, it never really seemed very busy. I worry this may be the last year for RRU in the North East, I hope not, but the vibe was feeling that way.  It was a much different vibe than the previous two years, not that it was bad, it was just a different feel.  Some of that had to do with the HEAT!  It was incredibly hot all weekend, it did change the way people enjoyed and watched.  It effected how I was photographing as well.  But I don’t want to spend too much time on the heat, that is all everyone talked about, and “make sure you hydrate” keeps running through my head. Coming into this festival I admit I was not overly excited about the lineup.  There were those I was very excited to see like Steel Pulse, Jesse Royal, Through The Roots, Collie Buddz, SOJA and Dale and the ZDubs, but also many artists/bands I have never seen live or even really heard much of their music.  Totally my fault for not checking some of them out ahead of time, but I went into this with the attitude of no matter what I will get some good shots and I am going to have a good time.

Day 1 started off with Higher Education, the Maryland psychedelic-soaked roots/rock reggae band. This was their second time at RRU and I have to say, they sounded better this time around (not that they were not good last year, they just sounded much more solid), nice start to the festival, with a pretty good turn-out considering first band of first day at 12:30. A band I have never heard a song from before was next up, Wide Eyed Kids.  They are fun! The trio, originally from Honolulu, HI, put on a really good set.  Erik has a nice sweet voice, and Chandler and Landon are so solid.  Made me wonder why I never checked these guys out. Next up was one of the bands I was excited to see again, Through The Roots.  I last saw them about 8 years ago and have been following them ever since.  The San Diego based group doesn’t make it to the East Coast very often, they really need to and they did not disappoint, putting on a fantastic performance, Evan sounded so good, Brady killing it on the keys, Calvin keeping it all going on drums and Kam was so good on guitar. When they played “Tequila X Cannabis” the crowd loved it, so many dancing along. I got to take a few pictures of them later in the day, such laid back cool guys.  Mike Love was next to the stage, this was the first time seeing him for me, he was at another festival a few years ago but wasn’t able to catch him.  I started listening to him the week before, and I don’t know why I haven’t listened to him sooner, I love his roots reggae vibe.  The O’ahu, HI musician has a new album coming out July 5th, and I cannot wait to listen.  He was solo at RRU and sounded great!  The crowd was singing along with Mike, there was love and peace floating through the air during his set.  I started thinking, so far everyone has sounded so good, so solid, maybe this is just going to continue on all weekend.

Cleveland’s own Tropidelic was up next.  As always, they put on a fantastic performance.  Such an amazing band, so much energy, so much fun! They are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands to photograph, so much going up on stage, you can’t help but get some great shots. They also have a new album coming out this summer on July 19th.  Another album I am really excited for.  I was talking with the guys before their set and told them, they are so good they can do the large festival stage, or a more intimate venue, they make it work no matter where they play. The Massachusetts band The Elovaters were next up, with a big following out in the crowd, they killed it.  They are getting more and more popular the past few years and I can see why.  Always put on a nice solid show.  A band I was super excited to see again was next up on stage, Steel Pulse, hailing from England but with members from all over the globe.  I saw them about 8 years ago, so I knew this was going to go down hard!  They were so good, the crowd was having so much fun singing along to all their classics.  David Hinds doesn’t seem to age and sounded amazing.  They are a truly amazing band.  I was lucky enough to meet up with them after their set for some photos and some great conversation, had a wonderful time talking photography with Amlak Tafari.  Legends but never once acting like it, so down to earth and amazing.

Because I was spending so much time talking with Steel Pulse, I missed the beginning of Australia’s Xavier Rudd.  While not really a reggae artist, the crowd was in awe of his talents.  Playing so many different instruments and singing, this one-man band put on a great performance.  I had my doubts about him being at a reggae festival, but he fit in just perfectly.  At one point the moon was behind him, a large moon at that, made for some great photos and people are still talking about it a week later. It was meant to be! The night was finished off with headliner Iration.  With all members originally hailing from Hawaii, they have that unique rock/pop/reggae sound with an island flow.  The crowd was so excited for their set, and they came out strong.  Great performance, mixing some old and new songs, the crowd dancing all night long. By this time of the night everyone was tired from the heat, but Iration brought that energy that kept the crowd going hard. It was a day of some great performances and great vocals, and Iration finished the day on a high note, a note that would carry everyone over to day 2.

Day 1 was such a great day, such a successful day enjoying each and every band, and each band topping the previous band all day long, everyone sounded so good. As the crowd was filtering out, tired from the long day and the crazy heat, but so energized for the next day, all talking about this performance and that performance.  Could it get better than this?

One Love - Todd