Earlier this week, Ziggy Marley brought his Circle Of Peace tour to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, a.k.a. The Amp, where he, along with show openers Lettuce, gave the Vail, CO audience all the positive vibes they could absorb and then some!

The best thing about a Ziggy Marley show is how sure you can be that no matter what mood you are in as you enter it, you’ll be shining and dancing with its echoes in your heart when you leave. Indeed, the music of the Marley family, including Monday’s headliner Ziggy, is one of few things in this world you could call a truly safe bet.

Lettuce:

Opening act Lettuce got themselves and the crowd worked up and dialed in with a peppy and pulsing “Vámonos” before tearing into a crowd-pleasing “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”. Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes introduced the tune, penned by keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall, as the band’s reaction to the negativity and despair in the air over the last few years. The lo-fi chill vibe of “Phyllis” permeated the air and got the audience moving along to the groove.

“Flying Sam Huff’s Flying Ragin’ Machine” gave the horn section of Ryan Zoidis and Eric “Benny” Bloom a chance to show what they could do. Their dynamic peals and squeals propelled the song as it rose and fell before building to one of the better crescendos of the evening. The subsequent EDM-inspired “House Of Lett” kept the energy high, after which Lettuce changed up the mood with an introspective cover of Tears For Fears’ classic “Everyone Wants To Rule The World”.

After crushing his solo in the Fears hit, guitarist Adam Smirnoff got the final song of Lettuce’s truncated opening set going. Drummer Adam Deitch, whose beats did not quit throughout the 45-minute performance, left it all on The Amp’s stage during their climactic closer, “Madison Square”.

Lettuce – “Vámonos”, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – 7/15/24

Ziggy Marley:

David Nesta “Ziggy” Marley, the first-born son of reggae legend Bob Marley, was sitting in with his father’s band The Wailers by age ten. Those early experiences made him truly appreciate music, his fellow music-makers, and the impact one person’s energy and intentions could have on the world. That super-charged energy runs through his every lyric and tune, and it was on full display in the loving and heartfelt vibes he shared with the sold-out crowd Monday night at The Amp.

Like his famous father, Ziggy doesn’t shy away from political songs and messages, like those in his tune “See Dem Fake Leaders”, but he doesn’t ever forget that it also his job to elevate and entertain. Songs of revolution like “Justice”, “We Are The People”, and “Get Up, Stand Up” lived alongside covers of Wailers and family classics like “Positive Vibrations” and “Is This Love” on the setlist.

Messages of peace and unity are needed in today’s world more than ever, and Marley’s tour offers a powerful reminder of the need to keep loving and fighting. There is no higher mission to which a musician could aspire, and Ziggy Marley is a perfect example of what happens when one truly dedicates themselves to that purpose.

Ziggy Marley’s Circle of Peace tour continues throughout July with shows in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, with Lettuce providing support on select dates. For a full list of upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, visit Marley’s website. Click here to view all of Lettuce’s tour dates, which include a newly announced collaboration with Nashville Symphony.

Ziggy Marley – “Shalom Salaam”, “See Dem Fake Leaders” – 7/15/24

Setlist: Lettuce | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater | Vail, CO | 7/15/24 

Set: Vámonos, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, Phyllis, Sam Huff’s Flying Ragin’ Machine, House of Lett, Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears), Madison Square

Setlist: Ziggy Marley | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater | Vail, CO | 7/15/24

Set: Shalom Salaam, See Dem Fake Leaders, Top Rankin'(Bob Marley & The Wailers), Be Free, Rebellion Rises, World Revolution, Positive Vibration (Bob Marley & The Wailers), Justice, We Are the People, One Love (The Wailers), Love Is My Religion, Get Up, Stand Up, Circle of Peace, Beach in Hawaii, Is This Love (Bob Marley & The Wailers)

Encore: Look Who’s Dancing