Matisyahu Brings Kosher Reggae to Toronto
Matisyahu took to the stage in a dark suit, white dress shirt and black yarmulke, his tallith dangling below his shirt as he danced about like a meshuggener in his white Nike runners.
Born Matthew Miller, Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew from New York, brought his brand of reggae to a sold-out crowd at The Phoenix Concert Theatre Tuesday night.
Having been brought up a reform Jew, I thought it refreshing to see so many young orthodox Jews enjoying the show alongside a mix of Matisyahu fans of many denominations and religions. Isn't it great how music brings people together?
The audience was a mixed bag of orthodox Jews and their chaperones, hip-hop homeboys and their girlfriends. From the back of the venue, seeing so many yarmulka-wearing young men made me wonder whether I was back in a synagogue or indeed at a concert. Until I caught a whiff of weed.
Named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard magazine, Matisyahu considers Bob Marley and Phish among his musical influences. This is the first such crossover since Two Live Jews made a ripple on the scene in 1990 with As Kosher As They Wanna Be.
I'm all for helping bring counter culture Judaism to the masses through this type of music. If it brings my orthodox brothers and sisters out of the suburbs and into a concert hall alongside my reform and conservative brethren, hallelujah!
When else would you see an Israeli flag waved about during a show at The Phoenix? Or during any rock, hip-hop or reggae show?
The crowd was somewhat tame throughout much of the hour-and-a-half set, as Matisyahu seldom chatted with the audience. When he introduced his friend Nosson Zand from Boston to the stage, the crowd perked up a bit to take in his brand of kosher hip-hop.
It was quite something to witness Matisyahu beatbox live with a four-piece band as backup. If you missed this show, I'm sure he'll be back in Toronto to promote his forthcoming album Light next spring.
Shame on The Phoenix for not providing enough space in their coat check for everyone on a snowy night in Toronto. I'm sure I wasn't the only one schvitzing throughout the show with my sweater and jacket with me the whole time.
Photos by Roger Cullman.
Comments (11)
Like clockwork. Reviewers who cover Jewish cultural events always seem to feel they have to show how many Yiddish terms they know. It's a bit, I don't know, patronizing. (Also, archaic. The only people who use "yarmulke" are old people and those who never wear them.) Still, if you're going to get all in-the-know on us, then do tell. Why the heck would the presence of many religious persons signify being in a synagogue -- you do realize such persons also spend time in other places, don't you? And, of all things, why would concertgoers have last ventured south of Bloor on "The High Holidays"?
Yeah I'm also confused by the line about going south on Bloor for the Holydays. Shouldn't it be the opposite? Most synagogues are north of Bloor. This is poorly worded.
What's wrong with the word yarmulke? It's pretty interchangeable with kippah. Or would you have preferred if I had used the word skullcap?
I used the synagogue comparison because I haven't seen so many skullcap-wearing youngsters at a cultural event since perhaps the Toronto Ashkenaz Festival.
I think you misinterpreted what I meant about venturing south of Bloor St. I was referring to the large Jewish population that lives in the suburbs. And I was hinting that many of them don't venture downtown much. I mentioned the High Holidays because they occurred about three months ago. :)
Publisher's note: Some edits have been made by Roger to clear up some of the sentences that caused confusion, and overall improve clarity of the post.
Holy balls are people ever fucking sensitive around here. Chill out and step away from the PC Guide to Being Mortally Offended by a Blog Post.
I guess people who don't wear yarmulkes (oh, kippahs, right) just should never talk about them, ever, and when referring to them, simply gesture and let your eyes dart nervously until the person in question informs you which term they prefer or asks whether you are crazy.
Would've rather have heard more about the music than the religious upbringing of the audience.
Or during any rock, hip-hop or reggae show?
When "Mashina" (Israeli rock band) was in TO, there were plenty of the flags.
What? Mashina was in Toronto? When and where was that?
Mashina don't have as big a following outside of Israel as Matisyahu does now. Though I'd have loved to see them live.
i'm from Colombia and I was there 2nd in line! it was a freaking frezzing long wait! but sooo much worth it! The concert rocked!
Matisyahu is the MaN!
Shalom! Israel!
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