Celebrating Bob Marley on what would have been his 80th birthday.

A pioneering artist who has shaped minds and music across many generations. RIP

Photo: Bob Marley in Leeds, 1974, by Dennis Morris pic.twitter.com/f5WgyAnAWK

— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) February 6, 2025

Across London, venues from Brixton to central hotspots have rolled out events that capture the spirit of Marley’s music. Standout events include the ‘Bob Marley’s Birthday Party at 229′, a night featuring films, DJ sets, and a live performance by a leading Marley tribute act. In Brixton, the famed Hootananny venue is set to host Sir Lloyd Coxsone Outernational Sound System, while Dingwalls 2 promises an evening of live music dedicated to Marley’s timeless sound.

Bob Marley’s Birthday Party at 229:
Kick off the celebrations at this exclusive event featuring films, DJ sets, and a live performance by Bob Marley Revival. Doors open at 7 pm, with tickets starting at around £23.08.

Bob Marley Birthday with Sir Lloyd Coxsone at Hootananny Brixton:
Experience an unforgettable night at Hootananny in Brixton, where reggae vibes take center stage with Sir Lloyd Coxsone Outernational Sound System. This event, which opens its doors at 8 pm, offers a more intimate yet equally passionate homage to Marley’s legacy with tickets available for just £5.

Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday Celebration at Dingwalls 2:
Join the celebration at Dingwalls 2 for an evening dedicated to live music and the timeless sounds of Marley. With doors opening at 7 pm and tickets for £10, this tribute promises to be a memorable nod to Marley’s revolutionary impact on music.

Bob Marley’s influence in London stretches back decades, with the city not only embracing his music but also serving as a creative sanctuary for his artistic expression. A defining moment in Marley’s career was the recording of ‘Exodus‘ (1977) in London. This album, renowned for its fusion of powerful lyrics and soulful reggae rhythms, has since become legendary, symbolising a time when London’s diverse cultural landscape nurtured one of the most influential musical projects of all time. ‘Exodus‘ remains a testament to Marley’s artistry and his ability to bridge cultural divides through music.

A recent report from the music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) reveals that the UK’s favorite Bob Marley track is the 1980 hit ‘Could You Be Loved’, which has been played an average of 15 times per day since the start of the century.Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981. His death was caused by malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer that began as a spot on his toe and eventually spread throughout his body. As London comes together to celebrate the musician this year, these tribute events not only highlight the vibrant, ongoing impact of his music but also invite fans to revisit a significant chapter of the city’s musical history. While London is leading the charge with large-scale tribute events, fans across the UK can still look forward to celebrating Bob Marley’s timeless music in their local areas.

LONDON WE ARE COMING BACK!
We are only doing 1 headline show so get your tickets quick! Tickets on sale Friday:https://t.co/Z9qLzVDA6O pic.twitter.com/4UHqGuRj6s

— The Lazy Eyes (@TheLazyEyesband) May 9, 2023

The group’s last visit to the UK came back in May of last year, where they played The Great Escape Festival in Brighton and five other headline shows throughout England, supporting, in the process, the release of their debut album, Songbook.

Songbook, which was released on April 21st last year via The Orchard, was met with widespread favourable reviews, with Atwood magazine labelling it “An enchanting tapestry of colorful, psychedelic sonic wonder ready to whisk us into a radiant, groovy daydream“.

Watch the music video for “Where’s My Brain???” below:

The record remains the group’s only album release to date, but with the abundance of creativity that presides in it, fans and critics alike can expect to be hearing a lot more of the Sydney band in the near future, particularly if The Lazy Eyes can not only meet their clear inspiration in fellow Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard in musical prowess and creativity but also in productivity, given the aforementioned has released a staggeringly prolific 23 studio albums in 11 years, with another, PetroDragonic Apocalyse, scheduled to be released later this week.

The Lazy Eyes were formed in 2015 in Sydney, Australia, whilst the band members were schoolmates at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. The lineup consists of Harvey Geraghty (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Itay Shachar (vocals, guitar), Leon Karagic (bass) and Noah Martin (drums).

The latest psychedelic rock band to come out of Australia have sold out shows wherever they go and, similarly to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and their Gizzfest, have their very festival, Lazyfest, which they founded in 2021. The Sydney psych-rock outfit are regularly found on Triple J, an Australian alternative music radio station, and recently covered the Bee Gees’ “More Than A Woman” on the station’s Like A Version segment, whilst also performing their own track “Fuzz Jam“.

Watch the music video for “Fuzz Jam” below:

Whilst this second visit to the UK for the Aussie psych-rock outfit only has one show in store for fans, the band’s continual growth in popularity here in Europe will surely see them visit the other side of the world more often. Indeed, for psychedelic rock fans, our prayers will surely be answered.

You can purchase Songbook here.

You can purchase tickets for the headline show at Dingwalls, London here.