Toots and the Maytals are some of the founding fathers of ska and reggae music, and the fact that they are still touring today is commendable, and most definitely something to get up and dance about.
The band, hailing from Jamaica, are led by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, a five-time Grammy award nominated and incredibly charismatic frontman. They formed in the early 1960s when ska was a hot commodity, and by the '70s they were releasing internationally acclaimed, hip-shaking hits such as Pressure Drop, Monkey Man, Sweet and Dandy and 54-46 That's My Number- written about Hibbert's brief jail internment in 1966.
The group's skanktastic reggae rhythms and gospel-style backing vocals, completed by Hibbert's unmistakable, cheerfully rasping voice, give their music an irresistibly catchy feel, which is only added to in their live sets. They continue to perform impeccably, and the feel-good vibes of the music are infectious- guaranteed at any Toots show, there will not be one person in the audience who isn't grooving.
Having had the privilege to see Toots and the Maytals at big UK festivals Glastonbury and Bestival, I can attest that they can still pull a huge crowd, and that by the end of their set, everyone in the crowd will be smiling, skanking, and hugging strangers. As one of the happiest live performances I have ever seen, Toots and the Maytals are living legends not to be missed!
Ben Ellis
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