Redemption Reggae Festival Day 2_08.18.13 299Enjoy these pics from Redemption Reggae Festival (Day Two) @ the Polson Pier Entertainment Complex 08.18.13 featuring Morgan Heritage and Beres Hammond!  This was the only day that I could attend, there were no disappointments.  I arrived at 5 PM and the venue was already packed, people continued to trickle in.  Doors opened at 2 PM so I missed all of the opening acts.  Even though I had my ticket for this event, I had no media pass – I was refused one by one of the reps at the gate.  I had to hustle to get a media pass and was finally granted one with the help of Traffic Man Tony.  Within minutes, I was at the front of the stage alongside Eddie Grant snapping pics.

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Morgan Heritage performed an excellent 90 minute set covering all of their hits plus material from their new album. The fans loved them, and most would stay for the Beres Hammond performance that would follow (after a break for a band change).  When Beres took the stage, it was to the delight of the 2500-3,000 plus fans inside the venue. Beres Hammond performed like it was his first year on the stage, never lacking in enthusiasm.  His voice was on, complemented by three excellent back up vocalists and a very tight Harmony House Band. He performed hit after hit after hit, dancing, jumping in the air, stomping his feet, and even taking intermittent breaks to talk to his fans who’d paid between $60 to $100 (and more) to see him (and yes, $20 parking before a 10 minute walk to the venue). Beres did his traditional 90 minute show, and by 9:30 pm, he exited the stage and would not return for an encore. A good show, and another successful Toronto tour for Beres Hammond, truly one of the most talented of our living legends in reggae-dancehall. Enjoy the Pics!

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