Matisyahu brought his Hold The Fire Tour 2024 to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe’s intimate South Shore Room on Friday, February 23rd. A standing room only crowd enjoyed the opening band, Cydeways, from Santa Barbara, California. Cydeways played a set of alternative reggae, including “Are You Down,” and got the room livened up to begin the night.
Matisyahu came on the stage and started his show by singing a very beautiful prayer in Hebrew. Placed beside him onstage were six photos of a few of the hostages in Israel. He then sang another beautiful song in Hebrew, before someone brought out another chair with two flags on them. Matisyahu welcomed everyone and then transitioned to a more uptempo song that got the crowd moving. With a five-piece band playing behind him, the group treated the crowd to a mix of Matisyahu’s catalog such as; “Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light)”, “Fire of Freedom”, and “Live Like a Warrior”. With his band jamming with a rock reggae beat, the entire audience was dancing for approximately two more hours.
Outside of his music, it’s been noted that Matisyahu has traveled to Israel, visiting with different families and soldiers that were involved with the conflict. He is dedicated to rescuing the hostages and peace in the Middle East, which is a message that he brings to his live show.
As the evening came to a close, Matisyahu draped the Golani Flag around his shoulders (this flag stands for the family of warriors fighting for Israel) and then he held up the Israeli flag, pointed to the pictures of the hostages and simply said “Bring them Home,” before singing his last song of the evening “One Day.” This was a long song with an extended jam in the middle of it from his amazingly competent band.
As Matisyahu walked off the stage he imparted one final word on the room, “Peace.” As different as this show was, the message of music and peace, was very powerful for everyone in attendance.
[To see more photos, click here]
