From Family Roots to Reggae Beats: My Unexpected Night at Jayasri’s Vancouver Show

I’ve always been the kind of person more into outdoor concerts and  not for fancy dinner dances. But this particular night in Vancouver was something else entirely, something far more personal. You see, Jayasri isn’t just another band to me. The Jayasri brothers Rohitha and Rohan are family. We didn’t just grow up listening to music together; we grew up together, period. Our families are intertwined through memories, laughter, and a shared love for music.

So when I heard they were performing in Vancouver on April 6, 2025, at a dinner dance organized by the young and passionate Yohan Perera of Yo Entertainments, I knew I had to be there. I booked a flight with my wife and headed over, all set for a nostalgic night.

What I didn’t do – like a complete rookie was buy my ticket in advance.

Arriving in Vancouver, I was greeted not with a welcome banner but the heartbreaking words: “Sold out.” Just like the old days, I found myself on the verge of tears with Rohitha, begging for tickets. And just like the big-hearted man he is, he didn’t let me down. Two tickets were arranged, and I was in. My heartfelt thanks to all Rohitha, Rohan and Yohan for making that happen.

Though I’m of Sri Lankan roots, I’ve rarely attended Sri Lankan concerts or dances over the years. My tastes tend to lean more eclectic. But this this was different.

Straight From Toronto to Vancouver

Adding to the excitement, Jayasri had just landed in Vancouver the night before, fresh off another sold-out show in Toronto. The momentum was high, and the energy carried over from coast to coast. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet Ruwan Jayakody, the very happy Toronto organizer and a renowned Canadian pastry chef. It was great connecting with him and sharing a few laughs about how both shows had completely packed out no surprise, really, given Jayasri’s popularity and magnetic stage presence.

A Night of Nostalgia and Rhythm

The Vancouver show, held in front of 600 fans, was electric. The Jayasri was introduced by Nalin of the ever-popular The Marines, best known in Sri Lanka for their baila beats and signature 6/8 grooves. Their performance set the stage perfectly, but the real magic happened when Rohan picked up the bass and Rohitha jumped on drums for a surprise Bob Marley tribute. The crowd was loving it and so was I.

Jayasri, now based in Vienna, Austria, are masters of mixing reggae, hip hop, and modern Western sounds with Sinhala flavor. Their style is bold, genre-defying, and unapologetically fun. Jayasri brothers owned the stage strutting with confidence, flair, and an infectious energy that had the crowd dancing all night.

After the performance, I made my way backstage where the real party always is. We shared our usual round of teasing, laughing way too loud, and reminiscing about all the “classified” family stories (that absolutely should not be repeated in public). Just good vibes and great memories.

Jayasri: Global Beats, Island Roots

This wasn’t just another stop on Jayasri’s tour. Over the years, they’ve become true ambassadors of Sri Lankan music on the global stage. Rohitha shared stories from their epic journey across Europe performing at festivals like Reggae Jam, Africult Festival, and Reggae Open Air, alongside top international acts.

One of the major highlights was their debut at Slovenia’s LENT International Music Festival, a massive 16-day cultural celebration in Maribor that has hosted legends like Ray Charles, B.B. King, James Brown, and many more. Jayasri now joins that iconic list, and they couldn’t be prouder.

They’ve taken their unique sound from around the world, and now they’ve come back home to reconnect with fans in Sri Lanka. 

Final Thoughts

What started as a last-minute scramble for tickets turned into a night I’ll never forget. Jayasri isn’t just a band, they’re family, history, and home, all wrapped in powerful beats and heartfelt lyrics.

So yes, I usually go for glitzy concerts and quiet dinner dances. But sometimes, a reggae beat, an old memory, and a shared laugh backstage are exactly what you need.

Thank you, Jayasri. Thank you, Yohan. Thank you, Ruwan. Until next time.