Byron Bay Gig Guide - Music, Entertainment and Events in Byron

I'm watching the sweat shine on Al Anderson's arms as he plays guitar. He moves fingers over frets as naturally as breathing. Vocalist Erica Newell is delivering a soft Redemption Song. I look around the crowd and realise I'm the centrepiece for a couple of schoolie groups. They are more interested in photographing themselves with the band in the background than actually watching the band. Other people lean in to touch Anderson and frontman Junior Marvin. Neither of them seem to mind. There's no barrier separating the stage from the crowd. From sidestage, security observe the audience. Occasionally they struggle in and remove someone. No fights, you understand, this is a reggae gig. But there's a certain smell in the air. A friend later told me "I was standing right at the front and some girl passed me this huge spliff! I'm not going to say no while Bob Marley's music is playing live. It's sacreligious!"
As far as their live performance goes, The Original Wailers move smoothly through their set list in a manner and quality you would expect from people who could do this in their sleep. There are no showy tricks or excessive audience interaction. They let the music speak for itself. Three Little Birds  puts smiles on faces and has everyone singing along. Things pretty much stay this way up until the last song of the encore, One Love.
See photos from the gig here.