The Human Rights @ Rivoli w Okapi

First Toronto show of the year by the Human Rights.

Expect new music, new arrangements, fresh viibes.

Debut show for Montreal's Okapi - let's give them a warm TO weclome.

Special guests and DJ's to be announced.

About The Human Rights

The Human Rights first came together in 2007, around the talents and vision of lead singer

and Toronto Reggae lion Friendlyness (Big Sugar, Culture Shock, Truth And Rights), drummer

Eric Woolston (Maylee Todd, The Hooded Fang), versatile bassman Tyler Wagler and the

band’s original keyboardist Bernie Pitters (Toots & The Maytals, Hit Squad), who passed

away in 2023 and in whose loving memory the band continues forward.

The band quickly gained a reputation as an up-and-coming original band warming the stage

for the likes of The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, Freddie McGregor,

Sanchez, and other top international Reggae artists. The Human Rights recently had the

opportunity to open for American roots-rock legends The Black Crowes at Casino Rama in

front of over 5,000 people.

In 2014, much-loved Toronto vocalist Tréson (who has recorded with the likes of Black Uhuru,

Spearhead, and Mykal Rose) joined the band, giving The Human Rights a distinctively

powerful two-man front line that seamlessly moves between modern roots Reggae, lovers

rock, soul, R&B and dancehall vibes. After Bernie’s health began preventing him from touring,

Canadian keyboard legend Dave Jackson stepped in. The Human Rights horn section is the

musical icing on the cake featuring members of The Heavyweights Brass Band, Kune, and

Shout - The Band.

By the end of 2024, The Human Rights will have played over 500 festival and club shows

across Canada and the United States. Their live highlights include: The New Orleans Reggae

Festival, Austin Reggae Festival, Hillside, Northern Lights, Harbourfront Centre, Roy Thomson

Hall, The Phoenix Concert Theatre and many other top venues across North America.

They have released four full-length albums, including One Thing (2010), the 2016 self-titled,

which was produced by Canadian music icon and Big Sugar founder Gordie Johnson, Reggae

Strong (2021) which is dedicated to Bernie Pitters and One People, dropped in March 2025.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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