All words and photos by DCist contributor Jeff Martin.

When Matisyahu performed to an enthusiastic crowd at the 9:30 club on Wednesday, gone were the traditional Hasidic Jewish curls, yarmulke, and white shirt. Instead, he donned a utilitarian jumpsuit, stark white and reminiscent of a kittel, topped off with aviator sunglasses and a white Yankees cap. The Jewish reggae-dubstep-rapper-singer took his time ramping up the energy, starting with slow, pulsating reggae beats with his gangly legs undulating slowly. Simple beatbox solos grew into full performances, with impressive melody-and-bass-at-the-same-time vocals. At past concerts, Matisyahu could be seen bouncing around the stage like a wiry gazelle, but at Wednesday’s performance, he reserved his physicality for the long haul. By the time the fifth song, “Warrior,” came to an end, the 9:30 Club was ready to party. The crowd was slapped in the face with heavy distortion, chopped-up snares, and heavy dubstep bass that startled some and made others jump with excitement over the fresh sounds even dedicated Matisyahu fans weren’t expecting.