Raggamuffin January 24, 2009

Raggamuffin 2009 is back and is proudly presented by Andrew McManus. Starring reggae's greatest: Ziggy Marley, Eddy Grant, Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Arrested Development, Inner Circle and Bonjah. LIVE funk, dub, hip hop and soul! Tickets go on sale Monday 25th August 9am (tickets for Sydney show only go on sale on Tuesday 26th August).

The 2008 event was an overwhelming success throughout Australia and New Zealand. Shows in Perth and Brisbane sold out in record time and in New Zealand, the line up played to a crowd of 25,000 thrilled fans. With a bigger and better line up, this year event is sure to thrill fans! There are six shows nationally and one in New Zealand, kicking off on Jan 24th in Perth.

Headlining Raggamuffin 2009 is reggae icon Bob Marley’s eldest son, ZIGGY MARLEY. He first sat in on recording sessions with his father at a tender age and soon joined with his siblings to form The Melody Makers. Ziggy’s solo career, has included top hit singles ‘Tomorrow People’, ‘Look Who's Dancing’ and ‘Kozmik’. Ziggy’s incredibly successful career has earned him four Grammy awards. Ziggy’s live show is not to be missed and includes songs from the Melody Makers, his solo arsenal and a few of his father’s classics.

EDDY GRANT needs no introduction with major international hit singles, including the US#1 ‘Electric Avenue’, ‘I Don't Wanna Dance’ and ‘Romancing the Stone’. In July 2008, Eddy is toured the UK, playing to packed stadiums, as well as appearances at Glastonbury and Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations at London's Hyde Park.

Ziggy Marley is pleased to have his brother STEPHEN MARLEY join him for Raggamuffin. STEPHEN MARLEY, fellow member of the Melody Makers, has spent his career as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-winning producer. Last year he released his highly-anticipated debut solo album ‘Mind Control’. Blending his love of reggae, rock, R&B and hip-hop, it was awarded the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Reggae album earlier this year.

After one decade, six albums, two of them multi-platinum, five #1 hits, and eleven top ten singles world wide, Grammy winning SHAGGY is still on the grind. Shaggys top hits include ‘Oh Carolina’, “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel” To date, Shaggy has sold over 20 million albums and crowds and his live performances sell out around the world.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT lit up audiences everywhere as part of the first Raggamuffin event, and audiences just had to have them back! The eight-piece band's music shook the bootys, hearts, minds and souls of the fans, getting a gorgeous groove going with hits like ‘Mr Wendal’, ‘Everyday People’ and ‘Tennessee’. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT see themselves as warriors of rhythm and storytellers of dignity.

INNER CIRCLE are chiefly known for the gritty outlaw anthem ‘Bad Boys’, the theme song of the long-running Fox TV series Cops, and the irresistibly upbeat dance number “Sweat (A La La La La Long)”. But this Grammy winning quintet is one of the world’s most respected reggae groups with a long string of successes stretching back to the mid- 70’s. INNER CIRCLE’S special brand of pop-oriented Jamaican beats in their energy-filled live performances can not be missed.

Popular Melbourne based NZ reggae/roots/funk five piece band BONJAH will open all shows.With 450 Australian gigs under their belt since arriving two years ago, and a debut album 'Bring Back The Fire' out later this year, will kick off the day in fine style.