Lee’s Palace was electric on Saturday February 8th as fans packed the venue, braving a relentless snowstorm to celebrate Bob Marley’s 80th birthday. Toronto’s longest-running Bob Marley Tribute proved once again that the reggae icon’s music continues to unite and inspire. Brought to life by NuFunk Concerts and Dubwise Canada, the night was a spectacular fusion of music, love, and positive vibrations, honoring Marley’s legacy in unforgettable fashion.
This event, now in its 19th year, has become an annual pilgrimage for Toronto reggae fans—a chance to share space with lovers of Bob Marley and reggae music, immersing themselves in an energy that lingers long after the last note. Even days later, messages continue to pour in from attendees: “I am still feeling the vibration from Saturday…” is a common sentiment, a testament to the night’s impact.
Before the stage show even began, the crowd was already fully immersed in the Marley experience. Jay NuFunk & Pressure Drop Selectors DJ spun classic Wailers 45 vinyl, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening. The night officially kicked off with a stirring spoken-word performance by Bobo Julius, whose powerful words reminded us of Jamaica’s identity and its deep, unbreakable connection to Marley’s legacy. His message of unity and a better world resonated deeply, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.
One of the night’s most magical moments happened completely by surprise. The show was supposed to start with an acoustic rendition of “Redemption Song,” with Reggaddiction’s lead singer stepping in after the acoustic guitar intro. But when a last-minute microphone issue left him stuck backstage, the audience instinctively took over, singing the lyrics in perfect harmony. It was a breathtaking, spontaneous tribute to Marley’s spirit—a moment of pure connection.
Then came the main event: Reggaddiction, one of Canada’s premier reggae bands, took the stage. With band members vocalist David Matthews aka DM, and guitarist Jay Cleary already on stage, one by one the rest of the band members—percussionist Kevin Howe, bassist Neil “Nemo” Morris, Sing-Jay Sunray Grennan, keyboardist Sam Weller, keyboardist Todd Britton, saxophonist Graeme Hambleton, trombone player RJ, and drummer Oz—assembled, and the crowd erupted with excitement.
The show continued with SunRay singing “Lively Up Yourself,” followed by Tash Lorayne and Toya Monique joining DM to sing backup for “Who the Cap Fit.”
Reggaddiction’s female vocalists, Toya Monique and Tash Lorayne, paid an incredible tribute to the I-Threes (Marley’s backing singers, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, and Rita Marley), leading off with the Bunny Wailer song “Dreamland,” made famous by Mowatt. Their mesmerizing harmonies earned the night’s first REWIND!.
Toya Monique delivered a powerful and soul-stirring rendition of “Iron Lion Zion”, captivating the audience with her dynamic vocals and electrifying stage presence. She brought a fresh energy to the Bob Marley classic, blending passion and precision in a performance that left a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, Tash Loryane mesmerized the crowd with a heartfelt and beautifully nuanced interpretation of “Is This Love”. Her smooth, emotive delivery and delicate phrasing breathed new life into the beloved song, creating an intimate and unforgettable musical moment.
David Matthews had a standout night—vocally on point as he delivered Marley’s biggest songs: “Natural Mystic,” “One Love,” “Three Little Birds,” “No Woman No Cry.” He also electrified the crowd with a dancehall-infused take on “Soul Rebel” and seamlessly transitioned into a medley featuring John Legend’s “Ordinary People” and Junior Kelly’s “If Love’s So Nice” during “Waiting in Vain.”
The night was full of standout performances. Set one closed on a high note as Juno Award winner Kairo McLean set the stage ablaze with a fiery version of “Exodus.” He closed his set with an unexpected but brilliant medley weaving in “Two Silhouettes on the Shade” and “Careless Whisper” into the song “One Drop”, much to the delight of the crowd.
Pressure Drop Selectors (Matt & Chuck Boom) played deep cuts during the set break. However, due to a volume issue with one of the turntables, they resorted to DJing on a single turntable, joking that it was reminiscent of the early days of sound system culture.
Veteran reggae vocalist Papa Levy and CIUT Radio host Patrick Roots opened up the second set with a tribute to Dennis Brown—Marley’s favorite reggae artist, who also shared a February birthday—before introducing Reggaddiction back on stage.
In part, the excitement of this annual event stems from it being a space that has always showcased the best of Canadian reggae. This year, while he was not on the bill, lead singer Friendlyness of the band The Human Rights passed through, backpack in tow. Like the rest of us, he was there to take in the vibration of the show and give thanks for the works of Bob Marley. Promoters of the event saw an opportunity to connect Canadian reggae legend Friendlyness and reigning Reggae Juno winner Kirk Diamond on stage together—a moment that had so far eluded Toronto reggae fans and both artists. Friendlyness and Kirk were thrilled to share the stage, fully aware of the gravity and importance of the moment. They opted to perform one of the most deeply spiritual songs in the Marley catalog, “War“—a song in which Bob Marley sang the words from Emperor Haile Selassie’s 1963 United Nations speech over a deeply conscious and rebellious riddim. Friendlyness greeted the crowd, giving thanks and praise to Emperor Selassie, then moved to acknowledge the importance of Kirk Diamond and Kairo McLean’s crucial impact on the current Canadian reggae community, referring to them as “The Future of Reggae.” It was an emotional moment for the crowd—a passing of the torch in some ways, further deepening the ties between the reggae elder and the next generation.
The energy kept building as Kairo returned to the stage to team up with Kirk for their Juno-winning track, “Reggae Party,” which included a tease of “Jammin’.”
The concert stretched beyond its scheduled end time, but no one was in a rush to leave. Every song, every note, and every beat felt like a gift—a shared moment of joy and gratitude for Bob Marley’s enduring influence.
Reggaddiction’s setlist was a masterful journey through Marley’s catalog, blending deep cuts with fan-favorite anthems that had the entire venue singing and swaying in unison. What set the 12-piece band apart was the lush instrumentation augmented by five-part harmony vocals. The night ended with a specular version of “No Woman No Cry“
Beyond the music, the event also served a meaningful cause—a food drive for The Parkdale Community Food Bank. Stephen Beltzner & Rosemary Bowen spoke on behalf of the food bank, thanking everyone for their support. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and community partners, much-needed perishable food items and goods were collected to help over 13,000 homes across the GTA. Toronto Police Division 14 also volunteered their support in collecting and distributing donations, proving that kindness truly is free.
As the final chords rang out, the audience left Lee’s Palace feeling energized, uplifted, and deeply connected—not just to the music, but to each other. This was more than a concert; it was a celebration of Marley’s timeless message of love, unity, and resistance.
One love, indeed.
A special thanks to the sponsors and community partners who made this event possible: Stush Patties, Jamaica Tourism, CIUT Radio, Roots Reggae Hub, Reggae North, Rasta Fest, CBC Radio’s Here and Now, Play De Record, Kwasi “Da Food God” Douglas, Slammin’ Media, Fusicology, Members of The Human Rights, The Memberz, and King Culture.