Jimmy Cliff Provides Uplifting Diversion at Osheaga Festival

A festival loaded with indie rock talent like Arcade Fire and the National may have seemed like an odd setting for 62-year-old reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, but Cliff's Osheaga Festival set proved to be an uplifting diversion from the festival norm as Cliff led his 10-piece band through a career-spanning set that preached universal positivity and belied his age.

"We don't want another Vietnam in Afghanistan," announced Cliff, before launching into a song begging world leaders to stop the war. But despite the powerful message, the set never lost its celebratory air. Cliff and his band insisted on crowd participation, leading the audience through a series of Jamaican dance moves, chants and arm waves.

Cliff's voice hasn't lost an ounce of soulfulness, something he showed on 'I Can See Clearly Now,' a song he originally recorded for the movie 'Cool Runnings.' He also dusted off his cover of Cat Stevens' 'Wild World,' inspiring a sea of lighters.

For his finale, Cliff and his band all adopted a drum for a seated, entirely percussive version of 'Rivers of Babylon.' Without guitars or keys, it was left to Cliff and his backup singers to carry the melody, and they handled it beautifully. Sometimes all it takes is a voice and a message.

Watch Jimmy Cliff's Osheaga set opener in the video below: