If you can’t beat them, join them. That is what more than 30 fans did Tuesday night after Jewish reggae-rock artist Matisyahu pulled one fan on stage. The crowd followed, creating a reggae rave on the stage at the Florida Theater.
In between that and Matisyahu surfing the crowd, fans had the opportunity to buy tickets through UF Hillel, in which those select few could attend a meet-and-greet with the artist himself after the concert.
Jessica Rose, a 19-year-old nutrition and food sciences sophomore, said she was surprised that he would take the time to meet with his fans individually, unlike most famous performers.
Rose said she enjoys his music because it is not the average reggae sound.
“The fact that he’s Jewish makes [it] better,” she said.
Rose described the crowd at the concert as mostly Jewish students because she, among other students, relate to Matisyahu for his faith.
She said he also attracted a large Jewish scene because of the large amount of Jewish students who attend the University of Florida.
According to Reform Judaism Magazine, UF has a Jewish undergraduate population of 6,500 students, which is 17 percent of the student population.
Rose said this ensured that Matisyahu would have a large Jewish audience in Gainesville.
Chelsea Crose, a 19-year-old biology sophomore, was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the meet-and-greet as well.
A lot of people get the “fame monster,” she said, but Matisyahu did not. She said he was willing to individually meet with fans and take pictures. It was a very selfless gesture, she said.
She said the concert was a great experience, and she enjoyed the laid-back reggae atmosphere.
Crose has been a fan since about 2006 when she heard Matisyahu’s song “King Without a Crown.”
“There aren’t a lot of artists who fuse reggae and beat-boxing,” she said.
Crose said she enjoys his unique genre of music because nothing else sounds like him.
“[It’s] hip-hop with a Jewish vibe,” she said.
Crose is a Christian, and though Matisyahu’s Hebrew verses may be a bit difficult to understand, she is still a fan.
“Spiritual music is spiritual music, no matter what denomination,” she said.
Crose said her favorite part of the night was watching the performer surf across the sea of audience members hand by hand.
Before he jumped into the crowd without hesitation, Matisyahu said that it was time for Gainesville to redeem itself.
At a concert several years prior in Gainesville, he said he jumped into a crowd of ill-prepared audience members without warning.
This time, he informed the crowd beforehand.
“He put his trust in the crowd,” Crose said.
