Groundation - Tribute To Marley
About this event
California-based band Groundation will perform at Espace Julien in Marseille on Tuesday, May 4, 2027, at 8 p.m. for a special concert entitled “Tribute to Marley.” On the 46th anniversary of Bob Marley's death, the band will pay tribute to the king of reggae and the Wailers in a show that blends greatest hits with deeper cuts, driven by the distinctive energy of Harrison Stafford. Tickets are available now, so be sure to book your place soon.
Groundation celebrates Bob Marley on the Espace Julien stage in Marseille
On May 4, 2027, Espace Julien welcomes Groundation for a vibrant tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers. More than a simple reinterpretation of the classics, this “Tribute to Marley” infuses the king of reggae's music with the band's own spiritual energy, alongside jazz improvisation and intimate passages led by Harrison Stafford's voice. This Groundation concert at Espace Julien in Marseille promises to be a memorable one.
Rare in Europe—this tribute has only been performed there once before, in 2011—this show is a singular event for roots reggae fans in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Groundation connects Marley's timeless message to the present day through arrangements blending roots reggae, jazz, and improvisation. To discover other music events in the Marseille area, check out jds.fr's concert listings for Marseille.
Tickets for Groundation's “Tribute to Marley” at Espace Julien
Tickets to this special concert at Espace Julien start at €30.80. Groundation draws a loyal, passionate audience at every European date; given how rarely this tribute is performed on the continent, it's best to book your place soon before prices soar. You can also find upcoming Groundation concerts in France on jds.fr.
Groundation: a pillar of California roots reggae
Founded in 1998 in Sonoma County, California, by Harrison Stafford, Ryan Newman, and Marcus Urani, Groundation began as part of a university jazz program. The band quickly established itself as one of the pioneers of American roots-jazz reggae, with a discography of more than ten studio albums combining analog instruments, polyrhythms, and humanist lyrics.
Among their notable albums, The Next Generation was named “Best Roots Reggae Album of 2018” by Reggae.fr. Their eleventh album, Candle Burning (May 2025), recorded entirely in analog, features collaborations with Alpha Blondy, Mutabaruka, and Thomas Mapfumo. Marseille reggae fans can also catch the band at the Groundation Tribute to Marley concert in Lyon.
How do you get to Espace Julien in Marseille?
Located in the city center, Espace Julien in Marseille is very well served by public transport. The most direct option is Metro line M2, with Notre-Dame-du-Mont – Cours Julien station just a 3-minute walk away. The tram is also convenient: line T1 (Noailles station, a 5-minute walk) and line T2 (Canebière-Garibaldi or Canebière Capucins stations, a 7-minute walk) serve the area.
For those arriving by car, several routes are available from the A7 motorway (north), A50 (east), and A55 (coast), leading to Cours Julien. An underground car park with 630 spaces is located directly beneath the venue and is open 24/7. Its night rate is capped at €5 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; it also has 10 electric vehicle charging stations and 10 spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility. Espace Julien is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility; we recommend contacting the team at assistcom@espace-julien.com or 04 91 24 34 10 before your visit.
Our tip: take Metro line M2 to Notre-Dame-du-Mont – Cours Julien station, just a 3-minute walk from Espace Julien, to avoid the hassle of parking on concert night.
Espace Julien also hosts other shows not to be missed: for example, discover Alex Di Mambro on tour at Espace Julien, a comedy night to add to your calendar.
