LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Slightly Stoopid, Iration, Little Stranger in Boston, MA (06.20.25)
On a warm summer evening at the historic Suffolk Downs racetrack, Slightly Stoopid brought their signature sun-soaked blend of reggae, rock, and hip-hop to Boston, headlining a triple-threat lineup featuring Iration and Little Stranger. With a setlist that spanned vibes, decades, and genres, this June 20th show was an all-out celebration of summer good times.
Little Stranger kicked off the night with a kinetic blend of indie hip-hop and tongue in cheek funk. Their energy set the tone early, blending their hilarious but catchy mix of original songs that seem to get remixed with fun memorable 80’s/90’s tracks. This up and coming duo, Kevin and John Shields (unrelated) started this outfit back in 2015 out of Charleston, South Carolina and haven’t looked back. Their albums get better and better, and their most recent (2024’s Sat Around Trippin’) has been on my regular playlists since it came out. Clearly best friends, their enthusiasm for fun music and tightly curated songs is infectious. A highlight of their set, for me, was their set ending remix of their song “Red Rover” to fit into the mold of The Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc.”, which landed with the swagger of a Mack truck. These guys should be in everyone’s ears by now and I highly recommend checking them out whenever and wherever possible.
Iration followed with their smooth Hawaiian-rooted reggae-pop sound. Their tight performance, sun-kissed grooves, and polished vocals had the growing crowd singing along, hands swaying in the air. I must say, I have been seeing these guys since about 2013 and lead singer Micah Pueschel, looks and sounds exactly as he always has, as if frozen in time. Though with that familiar voice, their sound as become a staple of that relaxing/breezy summer sound.
They kicked off the set with the aptly chosen “Daytrippin’,” immediately easing the crowd into Iration’s signature beachy rhythm. But it wasn’t all familiar territory—Iration pulled a wildcard with their funky cover of No Doubt’s “Obvious,” which landed surprisingly well, adding a jolt of ’90s-era nostalgia into the reggae-rock mix. The band kept the momentum rolling with “Automatic” and “Reelin’,” fan favorites that showcased their crisp musicianship. A surprise instrumental riff on “Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G. got the crowd buzzing, hands in the air. By the time they closed with “Time Bomb,” Iration had the crowd on their feet and fully in the moment. The final chorus echoed across the open-air venue like a celebration of that signature island sound.
Slightly Stoopid took the stage just as the sun dipped behind the Boston skyline. I’ve been seeing these kings of Ocean Beach since the early 00’s and they always know how to bring the party. Opening with the buoyant “Niceness” featuring the ever-charismatic, always entertaining Chali 2na, they kicked things off with a groove-heavy warmth that didn’t let up for close to two hours. I noticed on this tour that one of their usual touring sax players (and one of my favorite musicians) Karl Denson, was not present. However Andy Geib and Daniel “Dela” Delacruz held down the horns very nicely.
The setlist was a careful mix of fan favorites and collaborative gems. “2 AM” and “This Joint” smoldered with the late-night chill the band does best, while “Officer” and “Good Life” reminded everyone why Stoopid’s dub-tinged catalog still hits hard live. “Somebody,” with Little Stranger returning to the stage, turned into a genre-bending jam session—hip-hop and surf rock seamlessly colliding.
Chali 2na was the night’s not-so-secret weapon. His deep-voiced flows added gravitas to “Upside Down” and absolutely stole the show on “Hands High,” the Chali 2na & Krafty Kuts cover that had the entire crowd bouncing. His chemistry with the band was undeniable, especially when he returned once more for the bombastic “Top of the World.” That man is just a presence to behold.
The second half of the set leaned into the classics. “Closer to the Sun,” “Collie Man,” and “Mellow Mood” were delivered with the confidence of a band who knows their audience and the soul of their songs. “Fat Spliffs” and “Step Into The Sun” kept the vibes sky-high, blending lyrical positivity with laid-back instrumentation.
The encore included a sweet surprise: their latest Sublime cover featured on the newly re-released Tribute album “Look at All The Love We’ve Found” with a loose, joyful rendition of “Slow Ride”. The grand finale “Young Wild & Free,” featured all the night’s openers in an all-out free for all, with everyone doing their best to bring it all home. It was a carefree, communal moment—arms up, joints lit, smiles wide.
Slightly Stoopid proved once again why they’re still kings of the beachside jam, even in the edge of Boston. With a perfectly paced setlist, and an electric crowd, Suffolk Downs turned into the summer’s hottest backyard party. Never miss a Stoopid show if you can help it. They consistently carry just the right vibes and are always a stellar time.
Photos – Slightly Stoopid, Iration, Little Stranger at The Stage at Suffolk Downs on June 20th:
