Roots reggae band The Irie Ones (formerly Iration) plays at “Free Fridays” Friday Aug. 4 from 8-10 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Plaza.
The Irie Ones have been playing reggae music since the 1990s, and are Gainesville’s longest running reggae band. They have numerous original songs and cover classics from some of reggae’s biggest stars such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond and Tarrus Riley.
Four distinct singing styles are reminiscent of the old R&B or, in this case, reggae revues. An occasional soca may break out, reflecting the Caribbean roots of the band. Irie means “I’m better than all right!” Feel irie with The Irie Ones! According to the band’s guitarist Mark Stewart, “…reggae has truly gone international… with its emphasis on positive lyrics,
