Matisyahu tour ‘lights’ up summer with concerts across U.S., Canada

He first took the world by storm in 2004 with his unique blend of reggae, rap and traditional Jewish themes. Now the Hasidic singer-songwriter Matisyahu is preparing for the release of his latest album with a calendar full of summer concerts and special events.

The 30-city trek launches May 30 at Pompano Beach Amphitheatre in Pompano Beach, FL, and ends July 19 at the Mile High Music Festival in Commerce City, CO. Other stops include a June 9 show at Austin Music Hall in Austin, TX, and a June 29 gig at Belly Up in Aspen, CO.

Matisyahu’s summer performance schedule is a mixture of co-headline performances, solo shows and festival appearances. He is co-billed with Les Claypool for eight shows from May 30 through June 9 and with Umphrey’s McGee for three shows from July 7 through July 9. K’naan will appear as a special guest for an additional eight performances.

Matisyahu is currently awaiting the release of his third full-length studio record, “Light.” The disc was previously scheduled for an April 21 release, but Matisyahu’s official Web site announced in March that the release would be postponed so he could record more tracks.

The New York-based artist released his studio debut “Shake off the Dust…Arise” in 2004, but gained widespread notice and commercial success with his 2006 follow-up “Youth.” The latter release peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, driven by the singles “King without a Crown” and “Youth.”

Matisyahu’s previous headlining tour of the U.S. and Canada launched late in 2008, with nearly 40 concerts booked from October through December. That outing followed his participation as a main stage act on four dates of the 2008 Vans Warped Tour.

Matisyahu itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)

* co-headline with Les Claypool
+ with special guest K’naan
# co-headline with Umphrey’s McGee