MATISYAHU
TO HEADLINE SIDE SHOWS IN SYDNEY & MELBOURNE
The Frontier Touring Company is excited to confirm that Hasidic Jew and US reggae superstar Matisyahu will headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne on his highly anticipated first visit to Australia. In addition to his scheduled performances as part of the sold out Splendour in the Grass Festival, Matisyahu will perform at The Gaelic Theatre in Sydney and Melbourne’s Prince of Wales.
In the US, Matisyahu has already proven that his appeal transcends any stereotyping and has been embraced by fans from different walks of life, religions and ethnicities. Following his 2004 debut hit Shake off the Dust….Arise, Matisyahu’s live album Live at Stubb’s manifested him as one of the most intriguing artists on the music scene, belting out the US Billboard Modern Rock #10 hit “King without a Crown”. In Australia, the album was released through Sony BMG on May 6, 2006.
His music blends reggae, reminiscent of his personal idol Bob Marley and contemporary artists such as Sean Paul and Sizzla, with hip-hop and rock, while his lyrics add a spiritual element through their dealing with Hasidic Jewish culture and faith. In April, his third (but first major label) release Youth entered the Billboard charts at #4, selling 120,000 copies within its first week and over 500,000 copies up until this day.
Stemming from a secular suburban Jewish family and growing up in White Plains, New York, 26 year old Matthew Paul Miller’s spiritual odyssey was sparked by an epiphany on a camping trip at the age of 16. He began to contemplate his place in the universe, which eventually led him to embark on a trip to Israel to further satisfy his interest in exploring his Jewish heritage. Upon return, his renowned faith and difficulties to readjust to America saw him drop out of high school, abandon family and friends to find comfort in joining jam-rock band Phish on their national tour.
Too much partying and dwindling money forced his concerned parents to send him off to a wilderness school in Oregon for two years. It was here that he ended up playing open mic sessions in coffee shops with an experimental band that would develop his trademark blend of hip-hop, rock and beloved reggae. From there an encounter with a rabbi from the Hasidic movement Chabad Lubavitch in Washington Square solidified his desire to lead an ultra-orthodox lifestyle, adopt his Hebrew name of Matisyahu and ultimately join Carlebach Schul, a progressive synagogue encouraging worship through music.
The band consists of Matisyahu’s childhood friends Jonah David (drums), Aaron Dugan (guitar) and Josh Werner (bass, keyboards). The group, who formed after reconnecting at a Phish concert, has received extraordinary praise for their live performances.
“Combining the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu’s performance is a highly upflifting, powerful experience for all in his presence”, MTV
“Matisyahu is a phenomenon. More unusual, considering the ultra-packaged evolution of today's pop culture landscape, he's a live performance phenomenon.” AOL Cityguide
For those who have missed out on purchasing tickets for the Splendour in the Grass Festival, this is the last chance to experience Matisyahu’s unique artistry!
Tickets on sale on Friday 16 June
