Closing out the final night of a festival carries a special kind of energy, and SOJA harnessed it perfectly for their powerful headlining set at the California Roots Music and Arts Festival in 2019. Held at the historic Monterey County Fairgrounds, the festival was the ideal backdrop for the band's signature blend of roots reggae and rock. The Arlington, Virginia-based eight-piece band has been a force in modern reggae for over two decades, known for their uplifting messages and incredibly tight live performances.
This full-set recording captures the communal spirit that SOJA has cultivated since their formation in 1997. From the opening notes, the band locks into an infectious groove, driven by a powerful rhythm section and punctuated by a dynamic horn duo. Frontman Jacob Hemphill’s distinctive vocals guide the audience through a setlist of fan favorites that touch on themes of love, unity, and social consciousness. The performance is a testament to their reputation as a world-class live act, delivering a sound that is both polished and profoundly human, leaving the Monterey crowd with a lasting feeling of positivity and connection.