By Sanath Weerasuriya
Colombo is set to come alive with the unmistakable rhythms of reggae as global music icon ‘Alpha Blondy’ touches down in Colombo yesterday morning ahead of his much-anticipated live Concert at the Air Force Grounds (Riffle Green Grounds) starting at 6.00pm on Saturday, 19th July, 2025.
Speaking at a media conference held in Colombo last evening, Alpha Blondy expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm and enthusiastic welcome extended to him on his arrival.
The Ivorian superstar, famed for timeless hits such as ‘Sébé Allah Yé’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Cocody Rock’ is set to thrill local audiences with an electrifying live performance alongside his band, ‘The Solar System’.
‘The Solar System’, his iconic band since 1980, a powerhouse ensemble of the international musicians, will musically back the legendary singer Alpha Blondy on stage in Sri Lanka. ‘The Solar System’ an essential part of Blondy’s legendary sound, combining the deep grooves of classic reggae with vibrant rhythms of Africa, Caribbean percussion and soulful melodies will be onstage with Alpha. Together Alpha and ‘The Solar System’ have rocked crowds at major international festivals from Paris to New York to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and all over Africa, Caribbean and to Singapore to Melbourne.
Seydou Koné, popularly known as Alpha Blondy, was born on January 1, 1953, in Dimbokro, Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire). A global reggae icon, Alpha Blondy is celebrated for blending traditional reggae with African rhythms and singing in multiple languages- including English, French, Baoulé, Dioula and more—allowing his music to resonate with audiences around the world. With deep roots in West Africa and strong inspiration from Jamaica, his sound carries powerful messages of peace, unity, and love, touching millions of hearts across the globe.
Blondy recorded his first solo album, ‘Jah Glory’, in 1982. He quickly rose to stardom in Abidjan with his uniquely African twist on reggae, earning him the title ‘The Bob Marley of Africa’ among fans.
During the conference, Buddhi Wickramanayake, COO of MBC Networks, presented a special memento to the legendary artiste, symbolising the significance of this cultural exchange. Vinod Melpitiya, Director of EarGear Productions, the promoter of the artiste and Kamal Munasinghe (Vice President, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts) also addressed the media, emphasising the magnitude of this event for Sri Lanka's music scene.
‘Alpha Blondy Live in Sri Lanka’ organised by Big Blast Events, in collaboration with EarGear Productions the concert is backed by Cinnamon Grand Colombo as the official hospitality partner.
Tickets are priced at VIP – LKR 20,000/-, General 1 Rs. 12,500/- and Rs. 7,500/-now on sale at MyTickets.lk:
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