UpBeats: JazzReggae delivers but doesn’t impress

This article was updated on May 29 at 12:06 p.m.

Fans ranging from UCLA students to visitors from outside the city, flocked to UCLA’s Intramural Field for one musical event this Memorial Day Weekend.

For the 27th year, UCLA put on its annual JazzReggae festival, featuring some of jazz and reggae’s most popular artists. This year, headliners like Santigold, Common and Ziggy Marley offered a wide range of genres for music lovers. With art exhibitions, diverse clothing and food vendors, JazzReggae Fest also proved to be a place for more than just lively music.

The music began when UCLA band and JazzReggae Battle of the Bands winner The Street Hearts first took the stage and opened the festival to a very mellow crowd. They were followed by the Gluck Jazz Ensemble, but it wasn’t until Ryan McDermott took the stage midafternoon with his flamboyant gold, retro-inspired bomber jacket and his soulful tunes that the atmosphere livened up.

The festival also catered to the audience’s hip-hop needs with The Grouch & Eligh performing their remixed version of Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Jow.”

Mixing the old with the new, Common opened his set in appropriate fashion, with a Kanye West remix and songs like “Be (Intro)” and “The Morning.” During “Come Close,” crowds screamed as he brought a UCLA student and JazzReggae worker center stage to serenade her.

Although crowds diminished after Common, Santigold managed to hold her own Sunday evening and was the most interesting performer all day. As vibrant as her first green, space-themed costume, she proved to be out of this world with her electronic synth sounds, ethereal vocals and quirky dance moves.

Her performance included songs like “The Creator,” “The Keepers” and “Freak Like Me,” along with three outfit changes and a mascot-like massive dancing unicorn. Finishing the set promptly with the song “Bad Mouth,” she thanked the crowds and graciously ran off, seemingly into the sunset, leaving attendees wanting more.

Day two seemed to amass an even larger crowd of non-UCLA attendees. With its various reggae-themed acts, day two provided a more cohesive lineup.

Oakland-based band the Reggae Angels opened the day, while KES, a band formed in 2005, transported crowds to the islands of the Caribbean. The high-energy soca band didn’t disappoint with the lead singer Kees’ provocative yet charming dance moves and the occasional guitar solo, easily making it one of the most enjoyable acts of the day.

Marcia Griffiths, also known as the “Queen of Reggae,” kept the energy going with a cover of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved,” proving to audiences she could do reggae on somebody else’s terms. However, Mr. Vegas and Barrington Levy ultimately uplifted the mood tenfold with their interactivity, getting audiences to chant and sing along with them for the duration of their performances.

Opening his set with “Family Time,” Ziggy Marley kept it simple and soulful. Despite the anticipation and excitement, the majority of the performance remained predictable apart from the occasional guitar or drum solo. With songs like “Still the Storm” and a mini-cover of father Bob Marley’s song “Get Up, Stand Up,” Marley’s performance seemed to offer nothing out of the ordinary, but managed to maintain the feel-good vibes of the overall festival.

Positive vibes also emanated from the festival’s many art displays. As one of the festival’s annual staples, the large art gallery showcased the works of many local artists, whereas CANLOVE, an artist collective that creates sustainable art from spray cans, and a chalkboard wall made small but fun additions to both the sights and the eco-friendly efforts of the festival.

As the largest reggae festival on the West Coast, this year’s JazzReggae Fest succeeded in celebrating the music, food and art of the two genres. From the talented performers to the beautiful weather and jerk chicken, JazzReggae 2013 was well worth the efforts of several UCLA students, and ultimately delivered high-quality entertainment once again.