Bob Marley’s Sons Ziggy and Stephen Host a Star-Studded ‘Exodus’ Concert at L.A.’s Orpheum

Lucas Goldsmith

On Wednesday downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum theatre was buzzing with excitement for the Exodus 40 Live concert, being put on by Bob Marley’s sons, Ziggy and Stephen. The concert follows Ziggy Marley’s Exodus 40 – The Movement Continues album, in which Ziggy reissued his father’s iconic Exodus record. Exodus 40 includes new vocals and instrumentals that Ziggy discovered when revisiting his father’s original session recordings from the 1977 album.

Ziggy and Stephen were joined by an all-star cast including: Blues/Rock musician Gary Clark Jr., Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, R&B artist Aloe Blacc, singer and songwriter Citizen Cope, My Morning Jacket’s frontman Jim James, and Cyril Neville, a former member of the funk band The Meters.

At 8:30 p.m., the house lights dimmed and smoke began to fill the air. The energy in the building was electric as Ziggy and Stephen took the stage. Ziggy, with dreadlocks down to his lower back, took the microphone and said to the crowd “tonight, we are here to celebrate the songs of our father.” Stephen and Ziggy then started to jam, playing a few of Ziggy’s own songs, including “Love Is My Religion,” before diving into the classics.

Once the tone was set, Ziggy and Stephen were joined on stage by a larger supporting cast as they began to play Bob Marley’s monumental album. A few songs into the set, the Marley brothers played “Jammin” which inspired the crowd to sing along to each and every word. Soon after, Aloe Blacc was brought on stage to perform “Waiting in Vain.”  He blew the audience away; sounding very similar to the original recordings. Another highlight from the night was when Tom Morello was brought on stage during “Exodus.” Tom played a mind-blowing guitar solo, during which he used his teeth to play, and showed the crowd the back of his guitar, which said “F**k Trump.” This performance was shortly followed by Gary Clark Jr singing “No Woman No Cry.” The night was closed out with some of Marley’s most popular songs, including “I Shot The Sheriff,” “One Love,” and “Could You Be Loved.”

As the show came to a close, the audience stood and applauded as the entire ensemble bowed and thanked the crowd for the epic event. It was a beautiful night where both younger and older fans could come and enjoy one of the most iconic musicians in the history of music. Bob Marley may no longer be with us, but nights like these are a reminder that legends never die.

Blackbird Presents “Exodus 40 Live: celebrating Bob Marley’s Landmark Album” took place at Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 1.