by photojournalist Dan Fernandez

I feel like I have said this for the last 3-4 shows but the torrential downpour that lasted all day happened to stop just in time for the shows in question, and in this case picking right back up again post-concert. I guess that’s what you get with a Florida summer though. The concert that almost got drenched this time, Stick Figure at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. The risk was worth the reward with this one though as fans gathered for an incredible experience anchored by three remarkable acts: The Hip Abduction, Stephen Marley, and of course the headlining act, Stick Figure.

Kicking off the night was The Hip Abduction a band that has grown and evolved over the years since its inception in 2010 by founders David New and Chris Powers right in our own backyard of St Petersburg. Originally a two-piece outfit playing beach bars for a modest fee and a fish sandwich, The Hip Abduction has flourished into a full-fledged collection, taking inspiration from West African and Jamaican reggae/dub infused sounds. Boy let me tell you did they set the scene as an opener, casting a vibrant fueled hue over the ampitheatre with a short 30-minute set that left the crowd calling for more. No longer a two piece with additional members Matt Poynter, Justino Lee Walker, Cody Moore, and Dave Johnson, the band showcased their diverse background and an impressive collective energy.

Next up, none other than Stephen Marley son of the legendary Bob Marley serving up a tribute to his father ripped right from his own heart. From the moment Stephen stepped on stage, the crowd was enamored. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Stephen Marley carries forward his father’s legacy with each note he plays and every lyric he sings. His set in its entirety was a tribute to Bob, featuring iconic tracks such as “Is This Love,” “Jamming,” “Iron Lion Zion,” and “Buffalo Soldier” among many more. With the uncanny similarities in their voices, one could be forgiven for closing their eyes and believing that Bob Marley himself had materialized on stage before them. With multiple Grammy awards to his name both as a solo artist and as well as on projects with his brothers Damian and Ziggy, Stephen Marley reminded fans why reggae music holds such a powerful place in the hearts of many.

Now for a main event and a finale that was nothing short of enthralling as Stick Figure took the stage, an American reggae band that has made waves since its founding in 2005. Established by multi-instrumentalist Scott Woodruff and influenced by the godfather of one-man jam/funk bands Keller Williams, who has mastered the art of looping multiple instruments, Stick Figure’s early years operated in a similar form with Woodruff writing, playing and self-producing each album. In the years since self-production has become a trademark of not only Stick Figure’s albums but their borderline punk approach to creating music from start to finish. In 2012 Woodruff began to evolve the band into a full ensemble, over the years adding Tommy Suliman, Kbong, Kevin Offitzer, Johnny Cosmic, Will Phillips, TJ O’Neill, as well as their adorable furry mascot, Cocoa, who often roams the stage with charming their fans reminiscent of Bradley Nowell’s Dalmatian, Lou Dog.

Since full formation it only took two years since for the band to be touring with multiple titans of the Reggae/Dub scene including Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Collie Budz, Passafire, Tribal Seeds and The Expendables. Many of whom have stayed close and become frequent collaborators. Both as a one-man band and as an ensemble Stick Figure has seen abundant commercial success including showing up all over the Billboard Charts, with the distinction of taking 4 consecutive number one releases for Best Reggae Album with their most recent album “Wisdom” continuing the trend. On the topic of the name Woodruff has been quoted as saying “Wisdom is a journey and a search for what matters in life, a search for meaning, purpose, place and belonging. Wisdom is a code to live by where we can accept that it is okay to start over, to make mistakes, to love, and to feel pain. It is a reminder to focus on the little things that bring joy and know that all of it is a part of our individual story.”

Delighting fans with an expansive two-hour set, Stick Figure presented a collection of nearly 25 songs spanning every one of their seven albums. Some prime nugs from the set included crowd favorites “Shine,” “Way of Life,” “What a feeling” “Regal Dub,” and a captivating mashup that fused “Jungle”/Choice Is Yours”/ solo from Pink Floyd’s “Time”, all while Cocoa, calmly did her thing with the sea of dog toys that fans adorned her in. The group further embraced the collaborative spirit of reggae music by inviting both Stephen Marley and members of The Hip Abduction to join them on stage at various points in their set serving to create a powerful synergy. Looking through the crowd I could not see one empty seat from pit to the back of the GA fence line. The encore for the night was nothing short of intoxicating, featuring hits “Paradise,” “Sound of the Sea,” “World on Fire,” and “Fire on the Horizon/Eruption.” As the last of the notes faded, the crowd was left grateful for the unforgettable experience that they had just shared. As reggae music often does, this show left concertgoers contemplating themes of unity, love, rebelliousness and the quest for the deeper meaning of it all. Stick Figure and Cocoa, I’ll surely be seeing you guys again.