Text and photos by Ariel Soto
The Fillmore Theater was filled with yarmulkes and heart-pumping beats last Thursday as Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jewish reggae singer, bounced
his way across the stage. The eclectic crowd at the sold-out show seemed to represent everyone, from religious diehards to So-Cal blonds in high heels. Matisyahu’s lyrics convey his strong religious beliefs, but somehow he’s able to reach a broad and diverse crowd. With his long payots swaying to each reggae beat, one might imagine they were dreads and this was a Rasta show straight from Jamaica. But isn’t that what makes going to see music so great? There are no rules, just pure creativity and a smorgasbord of cultures and ideas around every bend.
