Some concerts are simply another show on the calendar. Others become experiences you'll remember for the rest of your life. Stephen Marley and Buju Banton's Roots & Rhymes Summer Tour stop at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts was the latter.

Long before the first note was played, the day already felt special. Bethel Woods sits on the original site of the legendary 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, one of the most important events in music history. Before picking up my photo pass and heading into the venue, I spent time exploring the Museum at Bethel Woods, and it was the perfect way to begin the evening.

The museum features immersive exhibits, hundreds of photographs, artifacts from Woodstock, documentary films, and the opportunity to walk the very grounds where history was made. One display that stood out was a collection of vinyl albums from the artists who performed at Woodstock. Add in the iconic decorated bus, a classic Volkswagen Beetle, and a beautifully produced documentary film, and it became much more than a museum visit - it felt like a journey through music history.

It also created a fitting bridge between the revolutionary spirit of Woodstock and the artists about to take the stage. While separated by decades and genres, Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, and Gramps Morgan have all used music as something greater than entertainment. Their songs carry messages of hope, justice, spirituality, and unity - messages that continue to resonate today.

For me, this wasn't just another concert. I've photographed Stephen Marley more than any other artist over the years, and somehow every performance feels fresh. I honestly think I could see him another hundred times and never grow tired of it. I've photographed Buju Banton once before, but seeing Stephen and Buju touring together made this a dream lineup.

Like millions of people around the world, Bob Marley is my favorite artist - not simply because of the music, but because of the message and what he stood for. Right behind Bob are Stephen Marley and Buju Banton. Their albums are "no-skip" records for me. When one goes on the turntable, I listen from beginning to end. Their music has always offered incredible songwriting, powerful musicianship, and messages that stay with you long after the songs end.

When this tour was announced, I knew I had to be there, and Bethel Woods proved to be the perfect setting. Nestled among the rolling hills of New York, it's one of the most beautiful concert venues you'll find, and its relaxed atmosphere fits reggae music perfectly.

Opening the evening was Gramps Morgan, whose unique blend of reggae, country, soul, and gospel immediately connected with the audience. Gramps has one of those personalities that fills an entire venue before he even sings a note. Add his deep, unmistakable voice, and the crowd was locked in from the beginning.

The emotional highlight of his set came when he welcomed his son, Jemere Morgan, to perform the Morgan Heritage classic "Down by the River." Jemere's voice was outstanding, but what made the moment memorable was watching the interaction between father and son. You could feel Gramps' pride as Jemere delivered the song, and the genuine love between them made it one of the night's most touching moments.

Between sets, Buju's DJ, Splackavelli, kept the energy high with humor, classic reggae and dancehall selections, and crowd interaction. At one point he even invited me on stage to photograph the audience - a fun and unexpected surprise that perfectly reflected the positive atmosphere throughout the evening.

Then it was Stephen's turn. As always, he delivered. Stephen mixed beloved Bob Marley classics with several deeper cuts that longtime Marley fans immediately recognized. Rather than imitate his father, Stephen continues to make the songs his own. His soulful vocals, touches of funk, and fresh arrangements give familiar songs new life while still honoring their original spirit. It's something I've always appreciated about his performances.

His own catalog was equally well represented with favorites including "No Cigarette Smoking (In My Room)," "Jah Army," "Rock Stone," and "Traffic Jam," all of which had the audience singing along.

For me, however, nothing compared to hearing "Old Soul" performed live. It has become my favorite Stephen Marley song, and hearing it in person honestly gave me chills. It was one of those rare concert moments that hits on a deeply personal level.

Stephen even updated one of the lyrics for the tour, moving the timeline to 1991 and working Buju Banton's name into the line about "the year after graduation." The crowd immediately caught it and erupted in appreciation.

Another welcome addition to Stephen's live band was the expanded horn section, featuring trumpet, trombone, and saxophone, with the musicians also providing excellent background vocals. Flutist Kateri Farrell added another layer to the arrangements, giving several songs a fresh texture while contributing harmonies throughout the set. And as always, the Jah Army Band was flawless.

As excited as everyone was to see Stephen, there was a different level of anticipation waiting for Buju Banton. Talking with fans before the show, many said they had either never seen Buju perform live or hadn't seen him in decades. The excitement continued building until the moment he finally walked onto the stage. The place exploded.

Buju remains one of reggae's greatest entertainers. Animated, charismatic, and constantly moving, he commands every inch of the stage while making it all appear effortless. One thing I couldn't help but notice was the sweat flying off him throughout the night. It was a testament to the relentless energy he brings to every performance. He never seems to stop moving or entertaining, and few performers can match the passion and intensity he delivers on stage.

He powered through favorites including "Destiny," "Driver A," "Hills and Valleys," "Love Sponge," and "Tra La La," with every chorus sung back by the audience. One of the things I appreciate most about Buju's live shows is that he doesn't focus on just one era of his career. Instead, he draws from virtually every album, giving fans a true journey through his remarkable catalog and ensuring there's something for longtime followers and newer listeners alike.

For me, though, everything came back to 'Til Shiloh. That album changed everything.

As the opening notes of "Shiloh" filled the venue, I was instantly transported back three decades. Buju followed with songs like "Murderer," "Champion," "Untold Stories," and "Wanna Be Loved," each one sounding as powerful today as when they were first released. The audience knew every lyric. Every chorus became one massive singalong.

Just as impressive was Buju's Shiloh Band. Their musicianship was exceptional - tight, precise, and overflowing with energy. Every player contributed to a performance that felt both polished and completely alive. Behind Buju, his three background singers never seemed to stop moving, dancing and delivering flawless harmonies while somehow keeping pace with his relentless energy. Their enthusiasm was contagious and helped make the entire stage feel alive from beginning to end.

As I stood there photographing the show, I couldn't help but think back to my honeymoon in Jamaica shortly after 'Til Shiloh was released. Every day, a bartender named Wendell kept putting that album on. Over and over again. Finally I asked him why. He smiled and said, "Jamaica has been waiting for the next Bob Marley for years. Now we have him."

I've never forgotten those words.

Standing at Bethel Woods all these years later, surrounded by thousands of fans singing every lyric alongside Stephen Marley and Buju Banton, I realized that while no one will ever replace Bob Marley, artists like Stephen and Buju have carried that same spirit forward in their own unique ways. They continue using music to inspire, uplift, and unite people from every background. That's what made this concert so much more than a collection of great songs.

It was a celebration of reggae's enduring legacy - and a reminder that its message is just as powerful today as it was decades ago.

As I walked back through the grounds where music history was made more than half a century ago, it struck me how fitting this night had been. Woodstock became legendary because it demonstrated music's ability to bring people together, inspire hope, and remind people that change is possible. Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, and Gramps Morgan carried that same spirit into Bethel Woods - not by recreating the past, but by proving that music with purpose never grows old. As I left, I couldn't help but think that while the Woodstock generation helped change the world through music in 1969, reggae continues to carry that same torch today. From Bob Marley to Stephen Marley, from 'Til Shiloh to the present, the message has remained remarkably consistent: great music can entertain us, but the greatest music can inspire us to become better people. On a night filled with unforgettable performances, that may have been the most powerful reminder of all.

One Love - Todd M. Judd