Sixty-two years after the Brooklyn Paramount Theater‘s final curtain call, the Flatbush venue returned to its former glory on Wednesday with a performance by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley. The mid-week stop on the brotherly Traffic Jam Tour marked the reopening of the Brooklyn Paramount, which from 1962 to 2005 served as a sports facility for Long Island University.
The Paramount Theater first opened its doors in 1928, constructed by Paramount Pictures as one of the most technically advanced theaters in the country. At a time when Hollywood began moving away from silent pictures, the Brooklyn Paramount posited itself as “America’s first movie theater built for sound.” But it was the theater’s contribution to music culture that made it a landmark, hosting Duke Ellington in 1931, and Black rock n’ roll musicians throughout the 1950s as they played to desegregated audiences. After serving as a multi-purpose sports facility for much of the past 60 years, Wednesday’s concert marked the theater’s full-circle return to its historical glory.
The Marley brothers also know something about history, honoring the legacy of their father and musical icon Bob Marley. Damian and Stephen performed songs by their father throughout Wednesday’s show to lively up the sold-out crowd, including favorites “Jamming”, “Is This Love”, “Exodus”, and the encore “Could You Be Loved” alongside deeper cuts like “So Much Trouble in the World” and “Pimpa’s Paradise”. The brothers also touched on their original material, including their many collaborations which filled out much of the 22-song setlist. The familial love was on display throughout the concert, especially when Damian brought his son Elijah Marley out to perform Jr. Gong’s biggest song “Welcome To Jamrock” late in the show.
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Check out a gallery of images from Damian and Stephen Marley at the Brooklyn Paramount’s grand reopening courtesy of photographer Maggie Miles along with full-show video. The brotherly tour wrapped on Saturday in Chicago. Stay tuned to Damian and Stephen’s websites for upcoming show announcements.
Damian Marley & Stephen Marley — Brooklyn Paramount — New York, NY — 3/27/24 — Full Video
[Video: SlyTV]
Setlist: Damian Marley & Stephen Marley | Brooklyn Paramount | New York, NY | 3/27/24
Set: Big Youth – Intro, 10,000 Chariots, The Traffic Jam, So Much Trouble In The World (Bob Marley & The Wailers), All Night, Pimpa’s Paradise (Bob Marley & The Wailers), Still Searchin’, Tight Ship, It Was Written, It Was Written, Cast The First Stone, Jah Army, Medication, The Mission, Love And Infinity > Punky Reggae Party (Bob Marley & The Wailers), Jamming (Bob Marley & The Wailers), Is This Love (Bob Marley & The Wailers), Rock Stone, Road To Zion, Welcome To Jamrock [1], Exodus (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
Encore: Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
[1] w/ an appearance & verses by Damian’s son Elijah Marley
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