Story and Photos by Rachelle Hacmac
Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jewish reggae artist most well known by his hit “King Without a Crown,” played a sold-out show at the WOW Hall in Eugene Sunday night, July 31. Tea Leaf Green, a 13-year-old band from the San Francisco Bay area, opened the show with a variety of folk and rock music.
The mellow crowd bobbed and swayed to Matisyahu’s beats as he sang a variety of old and new songs as well as some hip-hop and beat boxing. Matisyahu’s religious roots allow his songs a positive, uplifting vibe that attracts people of all ages, including children. Lined up at the front of the audience, six children under the age of ten enjoyed the show. Matisyahu saved his hit “One Day” until the end of the show, when he invited all the children in the audience onstage to try stage diving. The rest of the crowd roared with excitement and carefully carried the youngsters single file over the audience.

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Rachelle Hacmac

Tea Leaf Green opens Matisyahu’s sold out show at the Wow Hall in Eugene, July 31, 2011. (Rachelle Hacmac/Ethos)