Rootsriders

On the anniversary of the death of Bob Marley local reggae legends Rootsriders come to Melkweg again for a tribute to the King of Reggae like only they can. 1973 was the year of the international breakthrough of Bob Marley with the album Catch A Fire. With his sultry and rousing rhythms, his socially engaged lyrics and a message of universal love, Bob Marley, together with his backing band The Wailers, became one of the all-time great tastemakers of music history that decade. Far too young - he was only 36 - he died of cancer on 11 May 1981, nevertheless leaving behind a very extensive and impressive oeuvre. 50 years after that breakthrough, Rootsriders - for years one of the best-known Bob Marley tribute bands in the world - put the spotlight on this iconic album once again, showing why the band has become "the best Marley tribute band in the world over the past 17 years." (BBC Radio).

Rootsriders was once formed to commemorate Bob Marley's 25th death anniversary and over the years the band has become a regular name on the Dutch live circuit. Vocalists Giovanca Ostiana and Shirma Rouse, as well as former The Voice runner-up Mitchell Brunings, whose blind audition of - of course - a Marley song went viral worldwide, are well-known former members. Current singer Mo Ali was found via social media in Sudan. The band made it to the final of the SBS6 programme 'The Tribute, Battle of the Bands' in early 2022. As a reward, the band performed at a sold-out Ziggo Dome on 7 May that year, along with the 3 other finalists of the programme.

As a support act, Rootsriders will do a reggae tribute to Henny Vrienten (Doe Maar), with singer Tjerk Schoonheim. After the death of Henny Vrienten in 2022, they toured the Netherlands and Belgium with the show "Henny: A reggae salute".

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