Julian Marley

Julian Marley, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist raised between London and Kingston, brings a roots-driven set to Band on the Wall in Manchester on 8 June 2026. A self-taught player on bass, drums, guitar and keys, he has shaped a sound that runs from Lion in the Morning (1996) and A Time and Place (2003) to Awake (2009), before Colors of Royal (2023) earned him a Grammy and underlined his blend of classic reggae with contemporary touches.

Grounded in Rastafarian spirituality and a consciousness-led writing style, his live show leans on deep basslines, unhurried grooves and layered harmonies, with echoes of jazz, dub and soul. Expect a journey across his catalogue, with room for new material as he readies his next project, and themes that keep life and community at the center.

Marley’s path includes collaborations across scenes, from contributing to Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to ongoing work with the family label Ghetto Youths International. On stage, he embraces his heritage without losing his own voice, carrying the message forward while carving a distinct place within today’s reggae.