Rebelution

One Liner: Reggae rock for the college bros to chill to.

Wikipedia Genre: Reggae Rock.  Yes, that is one genre, not two.
Home: Isla Vista, California

Poster Position: 6

Both Weekends.

Thoughts:  They were also here in 2014, and here is the (super in depth) review that I wrote at the time: 
"Oh yeah.  Time for some ganja at ACL?  Time for some ganja at ACL.  Sounds kind of like a chilled 311 or the reggae and relax parts of Sublime.  Feeling Alright is their top song [and it continues to be their top song in 2019, with 38 million YouTube views for that video, and 33.8 million streams on Spotify]. 

They also have a songs called So High, Good Vibes, and Lazy Afternoon.  Of the five songs I just heard, every single one has the exact same reggae beat and some happy time lyrics about love or relaxation.  If ACL is going to have that one big weedbox tent like they did a few years ago, I bet these dudes open for Jimmy Cliff.  For what it is, this is pretty solid frat-bros-smoking-joints-on-a-sagging-goodwill-reject-couch-in-the-front-yard-of-a-dilapidated-rent-house-in-Boulder-or-Berkeley-or-Austin kind of vibe.  Not offensive in the slightest, just nothing I’m going to go out of my way to listen to for more than a song.  I wonder if the band is actually one dude with a Casio 2000, where he just hits the DUB BEAT button and then sings some happy time sounds.  If so, more power to him.  YOU THE MAN!"

So, I didn't appear to be very impressed with them at the time - I also did not do a very comprehensive review of them.  FIVE SONGS!?!  I just listened to like 80 songs by Robyn and went through them 3 or 4 times!  C'mon 2014 Jack!

I'm less distant from them today - trying out the 2018 album Free Rein right now, and there is nothing offensive about a good dub groove and some chill lyrics.  Of note, Wikipedia calls their style "Reggae Rock," not just Reggae.  Clicking through to an explanation reveals that this term has been used to describe such bands as The Police, Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, 311, and Rebelution (among others).  This genre found its rise into popularity with Sublime's popularity in 1990's Long Beach.  The Police, though?  They made like two songs with reggae undertones.

They have a ton of albums - that "Feeling Alright" track comes from their first one, 2007's Courage to Grow.  Since then, they released 2009's Bright Side of Life, 2012's Peace of Mind, 2014's Count Me In, 2015's Count Me In (Acoustic), 2016's Falling Into Place, and 2018's Free Rein.  They also put out a Live at Red Rocks album, and I can only imagine the levels of dope smoke that emanated from that canyon on that particular night, holy hell.

The members of the band all went to UC Santa Barbara, and their first album was their big break, immediately becoming highly popular among the reggae set.  Their only Grammy nomination came in 2017, for Falling Into Place, nominated for Best Reggae Album.  Also, FYI, there is a Christian website called therebelution.com that provides articles, books, and resources for Christian teens, parents, and youth workers - should you have a need.  Funny thing, I wanted to find a recent article about them - most of these bands have loads of recent press that pops up when you google their name - these guys do not.  I wonder if they are just a known quantity by now and people aren't trying to find out who they are anymore.  Even when I expressly seek an interview, the top three that come up are from 2016, 2012, and 2009.

I'll give you the top track from their most recent album to bookend that top track up there.  No real reason to go through all of the albums and provide you examples from each - they all sound pretty much the same.  I mean, its a good sound - very relaxing, very good groove, super chill - but you don't need to get a bunch of examples to understand the band.  This is "Celebrate," with 9.5 million streams.

That video blows, but the track is another good one.  Do you think that the synth player really has to hit the keys on that beat the whole song, or is that part a loop and he just plays the other part?  because that would really cause carpal tunnel if he actually had to play that chord 3,450 times per song, in every single song they do.

What the hell, I'd go chill out and listen to this stuff live.  Seems pretty enjoyable.