• ‘Alpha Blondy Live in Colombo’ to be held on 19 July

Reggae is not just music. It’s a message, it’s resistance, it’s healing, and now, it’s coming to Sri Lanka in the most unforgettable way.

On 19 July, a new chapter will be written in Sri Lanka’s musical history. The legendary Alpha Blondy, one of the most iconic figures in global reggae, will perform live for the very first time in the island nation. Presented by Big Blast Events and produced by EarGear Productions, this one-night-only performance at the Air Force Grounds in Colombo is poised to be a seismic cultural event that ripples far beyond music.

Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Alpha Blondy is no stranger to bringing nations together with his soul-stirring anthems of unity, rebellion, and love. From ‘Jerusalem’ to ‘Cocody Rock’ and ‘Brigadier Sabari’, his music transcends language, politics, and geography, and soon, it will echo through the warm Colombo air, with his renowned band Solar System in tow.

This is not just a concert. It’s a first; a first of its kind. A reggae icon of this scale has never graced Sri Lankan soil before. And for the teams behind the scenes, this moment has been a long time coming.

‘We wanted to start big’

At the official ticket launch held last month at The Atrium, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, anticipation buzzed through the room like an electric current as the organisers laid bare their ambitions.

“This isn’t just another gig,” said EarGear Productions Director Vinod Melpitiya. “We have the talent, the technology, the vision and now, with Alpha Blondy on board, we’re telling the world that Sri Lanka is ready for global stages. No shortcuts, no compromise. This will be world-class production, lighting, sound, staging on par with what you’d experience in Europe or the Caribbean.”

Big Blast Events Director Asitha Perera echoed the sentiment: “It took years of dreaming, months of planning, and weeks of sleepless nights. But here we are. Alpha Blondy Live in Colombo. And it’s only the beginning.”

Indeed, the event is designed as a springboard for a wave of international shows, an intentional rebranding of Colombo as not just a city that listens to the world, but one that hosts it.

A tourism magnet

For Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Area Vice President Kamal Munasinghe, this concert is more than music. It’s a movement.

“This is a landmark opportunity to reposition Colombo as a cultural destination,” he said, addressing the audience. “We’ve always had the hospitality, but now we’re backing that with experiences. We’re celebrating 50 years of Cinnamon Grand, and to have Alpha Blondy here during that time is no coincidence. It’s synergy. It’s timing. And it’s Sri Lanka’s moment.”

While Munasinghe did not confirm future collaborations, the event’s high-profile nature and Cinnamon Hotels’ continued emphasis on cultural experiences suggest the possibility of similar initiatives across their properties. With Sri Lanka’s rich heritage as a backdrop, such events could serve as powerful soft diplomacy – drawing global attention and tourism to the island.

The music and the message

As the floor opened to Sri Lanka’s own musical trailblazers, Umara Sinhawansa, one of the most powerful voices in the country, was emotional as she spoke. “Hosting something this grand has been a dream,” she said, pausing to collect herself. “And being part of it, to witness it as an artist, to feel this surge of possibility, it gives me goosebumps. This is just the beginning.”

The Jayasri brothers, Rohitha and Rohan Jayalath, longtime reggae ambassadors in the region, nodded in agreement. “We’ve performed with Alpha in Europe before,” said Rohan. “But to see him here, in our home, with our people, it’s surreal. Reggae runs through the veins of many Sri Lankans, even if they don’t realise it. The fight, the faith, the freedom, it’s all here.”

They also hinted at a possible on-stage collaboration, drawing cheers from those present.

Behind the stage, beyond the hype

So what can audiences expect? For starters, a sonic and visual feast meticulously crafted by EarGear Productions, a team that has quietly but steadily raised the bar for live events in South Asia. Think stadium-scale lighting rigs, immersive soundscapes, and zero compromises on artist requirements.

“We’re not outsourcing talent or tech from abroad,” Melpitiya emphasised. “We have the skills right here. This event proves it.”

Security, parking, food stalls, hydration stations, merchandise booths, it’s all part of the carefully designed experience. Doors open at 4 p.m., with opening acts by top local talent starting at 6 p.m. sharp.

Tickets are now available, and while the organisers have gone all-in on international standards, they’re also keeping local fans front and centre. “This isn’t an exclusive VIP event for the elite,” said Perera. “Reggae is people’s music. It’s for everyone. Come in your slippers or your best boots, just come with an open heart.”

Looking ahead

As the event draws nearer, the excitement continues to build. A special media meet-and-greet with Alpha Blondy is scheduled for 17 July, just days before the main event, offering fans a rare opportunity to engage with the icon himself.

And if there was one message repeated by every speaker at the launch, it was this: This is only the beginning.

Big Blast Events and EarGear Productions have their eyes set firmly on the future, hinting at a calendar of similar large-scale experiences, not just in Colombo, but across the island. And for music lovers, especially those long starved of live, global-scale performances, it’s a future worth showing up for.

As Alpha Blondy sings: “Unity is strength. Music is power. And reggae is the soul that connects them.”

PHOTOS Lalith Perera