Ziggy Marley and his band performed on stage last night at The Astro in La Vista, Nebraska. It was an incredibly fun concert. [Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer]

DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine

The crisp fall air did nothing to curtail the heat inside The Astro on Friday night, October 10th 2025, as reggae luminaries Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear brought a soulful, uplifting show to the Midwest.  The “Do The Reggae Tour” began from the moment the stage lights dimmed. The energy inside the venue was electric and, of course, surrounding the hall were the colors of the Jamaican flag.

Before Ziggy took the stage, Burning Spear (Winston Rodney) who is part Rastafarian and part preacher, delivered a masterful hour-long set, beginning with “Door Peep”.  Spear took his place behind the Congas for the first of several solos he would perform. His seasoned voice, carried classic anthems like “Marcus Garvey” and “Call on You” with the poise only a skilled entertainer could possess. Backed by The Burning Band, the drum and bass locked in with passion as the touches of horn, keyboard, and rhythm guitar never overstepped.  The now 80-year-old Spear moved with the agility of a much younger man. He would occasionally pause to let the music resonate, allowing the room to soak in the weight of the sounds.  He put the crowd in a retrospective mood. It was a perfect opening act that reminded listeners of reggae’s true roots.

When Ziggy Marley and his band took the stage, the applause cracked like thunder, and the lights bloomed. He began with “I Will Be Glad”, from his 2018 LP, “Rebellion Rises”. From there he would take the congregation on a 17 song set that was woven with originals as well as songs that celebrated his lineage. The Astro became a giant dance hall, with gentle swaying and faster bop intermingled. There were plenty of Marley t-shirts and tie-dyes boasting both Bob and Ziggy. The stage was full of magnificent performers, including back-up singers Natasha Pearce and Tracy Hazzard who not only performed vocally, but also contributed choreographed dancing for every song. Ziggy and the entire band worked joyfully together, creating a striking and churchly aura. One of the moments of the night came during “Is This Love” when Ziggy stopped singing and allowed the crowd to take over the vocal duties. Fans of all ages, races and dancing abilities can be seen at a Ziggy Marley show. Speaking of dancing abilities, during “Look Who’s Dancing”, Ziggy and his band put on a clinic of dance moves, that made its way to the crowd.  The encore included “Three Little Birds” during which, the audience would belt out the chorus. Of course, the show closed with the iconic song, “Jammin’”. Ziggy instilled a sense of love and rebellion in everyone as they left, which is precisely what we need during these challenging times.

Ziggy Marley Burning Spear All images © Dean Birkheimer

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