The group provided a fitting finale to this year’s Live at The Rog Concert Series, playing music meant to celebrate and build community

by Emily Lemmenes

On Sunday, August 17, Minneapolis-based reggae band Dred I Dread performed at Roseville’s Frank Rog Amphitheater. The band’s performance was the last free live music show of this summer’s Live at The Rog Concert Series.

Every Sunday and Thursday evening this summer, people have gathered on the grassy hill facing the amphitheater to hear the music and take in the scenery of Bennett Lake. These live music events provided the community with an enjoyable summer activity anyone could attend.

Dred I Dread started in Minneapolis over 25 years ago and has been performing in the Twin Cities and beyond ever since.

The six-member band combined vocals, percussion, keyboard and guitar to make reggae music with influences across multiple genres and nations. Each member’s background in conflicting styles like classical, hard rock and jazz contributes to their original sound.

Lead singer Peewee Dread grew up in New Orleans, La., and began his musical career playing the classical violin. He said events like Sunday’s are important because, unlike in New Orleans, there are limited opportunities for connectivity through free live music in the Twin Cities.

Despite the band’s multi-genre background, Peewee said they make reggae music because of its longevity and flexibility. Reggae’s style allows them to fit social, cultural and spiritual themes into each song.

The audience on Sunday mainly consisted of children, families and older adults who, according to Peewee, the band might not have been able to reach without free live music opportunities like Live at the Rog. Many children rolled down the hill and participated in the music by dancing next to the stage.

Children weren’t the only ones dancing, though. Roseville resident Mary Scheller danced her way through every show this summer. She said she prefers the friendly energy of concerts at The Rog to impersonal ones at the Xcel Energy Center.

Scheller is one of many who attended every free show, making Dred I Dread’s performance a fitting finale, as community bonding is a desired outcome of both reggae music and these free concerts.

Peewee donned a wide-brim Rastafarian hat during his performance, but has worn many hats in his career as a minister, teacher, musician, and business owner.

“My resume is longer than my dreads,” he said.

Taking care of the community is a value that connects Peewee’s many career paths with the band’s songwriting. On Sunday, they performed a song called ‘Stew Peas and Rice’ that celebrates how people are bonded through food.

Yet food is a basic necessity that many go without. To give back, profits from Peewee’s hot sauce brand Rasta Tease, provided 55,000 meals nationwide in 2024. He said the sale of a $10 record at the concert is turned into 100 meals.

Spirituality and morality are especially important to the band, Peewee said, because people often follow music. He wants the messages they put into the world to be uplifting and guide listeners toward non-denominational spiritual mindfulness.

“Reggae has the power to administer love to the community,” he said.

Photo caption: Attendees of the Dred I Dread concert at Roseville’s Frank Rog amphitheater danced next to the stage. Photo by Emily Lemmenes.