Artistes thrill patrons at Music Festival’s Opener

By Cherisse M. Sutton-Jeffers
Reporter SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was exactly 4:30 this morning [June 27] when members of the Nu Vybes Band ended their thrilling and tireless performance at Warner Park at the opening night of the 12th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival.

“The best was saved for last!” That is what one young lady said when the band took the stage performing a number of their well-known tracks from over the years. Songs such as “Lion Paw”, “Street Style”, “One hundred Percent” and “Wake up Call” definitely had the crowd jumping and prancing.

The soca night, as it is referred to, kicked off with El-A-Kru and featured Tizzy, who many said gave “an okay performance”. However, many patrons did not see them perform due to late arrival, and suggested that the band should have been scheduled to perform later down the order.

It was then the Road March champs, Grand Masters Band, turn to heat up the place and they hit the crowd with “Boom Bam Bam”. 

They gave a great performance, as band members sang and entertained the crowd with some bodily gyrations. On completion of their act, ‘Smiley, one of the lead singers of the band, told SKNVibes he thought their performance was splendid and that the crowd’s reaction was great.

Kasav was next and although many people did not understand most of their lyrics, because of the language barrier [French], it did not deter them from enjoying and moving to the musical accompaniment. In addition to the melodious songs they sang, members of the band also showcased some dance routines to the harmonious sounds of drums.

The legendary Calypso Rose went on stage singing “Clear de Way” and set Warner Park ablaze with her world-renowned and all-time favourite “Fire fire”. Though her performance was criticised as “a bit short”, it was enjoyable to many. 

Calypso Rose was followed by another legend, Shadow, who is known for his popular songs “Dingolay” and “The horn-a-man Crying”. His performance too was considered short but the audience sang along with him, as he dished out some of everyone’s favourite and ended with a blast – “Throw you Rang”.

It was pure excitement and ‘nuff’ energy when Shurwayne Winchester made his entry on stage singing “Look de band Coming”, at which time the crowd was all hyped up and ready to get on bad. 

Winchester told them, “If you don’t want to get mashed and get wet, clear de way ’cause we throwing water”; and indeed this is what he did by gaining full participation of the crowd in carnival-style movements to his rendition. He had the crowd moving from left to right and parted them down the centre going back and forth in military precision to his music.

Moments after his performance, Winchester told SKNVibes that “the reception was overwhelming and in order to give a good performance you have to give the crowd something, and they will give you something in return…you have to give tempo to get back tempo”. 

Roy Cape All Stars took the crowd to another level, as they sang a variety of songs, something for everyone, until the curtains came down with renditions from the New Vybz Band. 

The Festival continues tonight with Pressure, Busy Signal, Macka Diamond and Billy Ocean amongst others.  

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