Matisyahu is returning to Teaneck for a rare and intimate set of performances at the Debonair Music Hall on March 25 and 26. Known for his dynamic fusion of reggae, hip-hop, rock and Jewish spiritual themes, Matisyahu is taking a different approach with these upcoming shows—one that fans won’t want to miss.

“It’s a little bit more stripped back,” Matisyahu shared. “Instead of a lot of heavy bass or a rock show, it’s more of a storyteller’s vibe.” The performances will feature longtime collaborators, including percussionist Tim Kuyper, guitarist Aaron Dugan and keyboardist Rob Marsher. “We’ve been playing together for a long time, especially in these smaller rooms and environments that are more intimate.”

For those eager to hear fan favorites, Matisyahu has confirmed that classics like “One Day,” “King Without a Crown,” “Jerusalem” and “Sunshine” will be part of the setlist. Additionally, he will be performing tracks from his latest EP, “Hold the Fire,” including “Fireproof,” which was inspired by a powerful dream. “That dream became a metaphor for me … trying to figure out how to keep the fire lit but not become overly consumed by it,” he explained. The imagery from that dream influenced the album’s cover art with fire, water and a tiger that appeared in the dream as well.

The songs from “Hold the Fire” were recorded just before October 7, but their themes have taken on new significance for the Jewish community in the wake of recent events. The songs “talk a lot about resilience and about endurance, hope and pain. So, it relates to everything that we’re going through as a Jewish people right now. I think it gives people hope when they hear those songs. It makes people feel motivated to make changes or to try to do positive things with their lives. And that’s always been the special ingredient to a lot of my music—the thing that has connected with people,” he said.

Matisyahu is preparing to release the remaining songs from the EP and plans to surprise the audience with a couple of them at the concert.

As a teenager, Matisyahu enjoyed reggae and Rastafarianism music. The artists he listened to told stories about their history, struggles and suffering as a people. “I decided to write about that, but from the context of being Jewish and combining it with personal experiences in my life,” he explained. “Judaism was a foundation for my writing from the beginning.”

In his early 20s, when Matisyahu became interested in Chabad Hasidism, his music reflected “texts from the Tanya and drew from my experiences in Crown Heights. Later, as I explored Breslov Chasidus, I found its ideas influencing my music as well, leading to albums like ‘Light,’ which includes ‘One Day.’” Over time, his Jewish inspiration continued to expand beyond Hasidic thought into other realms. But at the core of his identity and music, Judaism has always been an essential and driving force.

In recent years, Matisyahu has also found inspiration in Afro-pop, particularly artists like Ghanaian singer Black Sherif and Nigerian artist Omah Lay. He described this style of music as “housey, kind of hip hoppy, dancehall and reggae.”

Beyond the music, the upcoming shows hold personal significance for Matisyahu. He reflected on the venue’s history, recalling an early-career performance at the same location, then known as Mexicali Live, where he sat on stage with Yosi Piamenta. Now, years later, he sees these shows as a full-circle moment, a chance to connect with the Teaneck community in a unique and meaningful way. “I was living in Teaneck during COVID at some point, and I’ve never really done a show for the community, in the community. It’s not at a Jewish venue, it’s just a bar trying to keep going and be a place for people to hang out. I feel good about doing the show there.”

Adding to the night’s excitement, Matisyahu’s son, DovBear, will open the show. “It’s been really cool watching him carve out his own musical identity,” he said proudly. “He’s put in the work—writing, singing, rapping, marketing his music and learning how to promote himself online. It’s impressive to watch.”

As Matisyahu continues to balance artistry with independence, now managing himself and running his own label, fans can expect a deeply personal and creatively liberated performance. “It’s nice to have control,” he shared. “To be able to make a song, release it, choose the art and keep moving.”

For those attending, this will be more than just a concert; it will be a journey through Matisyahu’s evolving artistry, a celebration of resilience and an intimate gathering of music, stories and spirit.

Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road in Teaneck, NJ 07666. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 general admission and $85 for reserved seating.

Visit www.debonairmusichall.com or email [email protected] for more information.

Rachel Abramchayev is the assistant editor at The Jewish Link.