BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was shorts, rags and flags almost everywhere last night (June 25) as the first night of the 13th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival was off to a flying start with a massive crowd; some of whom had their minds set on who they went to see while others attended just to be there.
The night saw performances by first-timer Lightz Out Band; Grand Masters Band; four-peat National Calypso King, Konris Maynard; the legendary Lord Nelson; Lejah Band that featured Blade and Byke; Biggie Irie; Edwin Yearwood; Iwer George; and the self-acclaimed ‘Gully God’, Mavado.
Lightz Out Band was the first act of the night, and its uniformed members provided patrons with a variety of music, including several of their own songs and those of renowned Caribbean artistes. The response from the crowd was that members of the band did an excellent job, even though it was their first appearance at this level and knowing also that they were scheduled as a last minute act.
According to Lightz Out Manager, Seanel Herbert, the band’s performance was “top notch” and was comparable to the other acts he had so far seen. “I think we did a tremendous job, bearing in mind the short period in which we had to prepare.”
Herbert declared that they were grateful for the opportunity and, if given another, they would definitely be prepared to deliver a performance of higher quality.
The stage was next occupied by the Grand Masters Band, which, in most persons’ opinion, should have performed longer as its members ‘turned up’ the crowd with several of their well-known chants.
The Road March champs had the crowd bouncing, waving, trembling and vibrating their bodies as the muusicians gyrated onstage performing songs such as ‘Vibrator’, ‘Bust You Bubble’, ‘Car Back’ and ‘Bounce and Clap’.
One young lady in the crowd was labelled as having “no behavior” as she vibrated her body and ‘wuk up’ like she had no bones, according to one man.
The King, Konris Maynard, took a different approach in his performance as he started out mellow with two females on stage dancing as he sang ‘One Song’. After a few songs, he increased the tempo and had almost the entire crowd jumping and waving as he sang ‘It Must Be in the Water’.
He also sang a few lines of ‘Man in the Mirror’ by Michael Jackson, as a tribute to the ‘King of Pop’ who passed away yesterday at the age of 50. All the artistes, who performed after Maynard, paid tribute to Michael Jackson by also singing a few lines of some of his hits.
If it were the belief of many that only young people are energetic, think again; for the 77-year-old Lord Nelson surely kept up with the pack last night not only with his songs but also with the gyrations. This legendary calypsonian proved himself to be definitely hotter than many of his younger colleagues, as he left many patrons stunned by his performance with past hits such as ‘King Liar’ and ‘La La’.
Lord Nelson told the crowd that they give him the energy which he displayed, noting “you give it to me and I will give it back”.
It was strictly ‘business’ when the Lejah Band came on stage with Byke and Blade as they performed for only a short while but with ‘nuff’ energy, singing a number of songs including one of St. Kitts’ very own - Small Axe Band.
Upon their exit, ‘The General’, Edwin Yearwood, came on stage moving the crowd from side to side and teasingly showing them how to wine – slowly, faster, and much faster - which made a few ladies’ eyes popped.
He sang ‘Insane’, ‘Pump Me Up’, Wet Me Down’ and parted with ‘Sak Passe’ as he called out to the ladies in the crowd to scream if they were independent, wearing their own hair and have their own money.
Yearwood was replaced by Iwer George, who had the crowd in synchronized movements when he belted out ‘Jump and wave’, among others. He also motivated the crowd and had most patrons doing the Iwer, the Butterfly, the Shadow and the Wave. He also performed a number of calypsos by the legendary Mighty Sparrow, including ‘Jean and Dina’ and ‘Melda’.
Iwer George also had a surprise package for his appreciative audience. Shortly before his departure, tonight’s (June 26) act, Ziggy Rankin, joined him on stage and together they performed ‘We like it’.
As the night’s MC, Leslie ‘Sugar Bowl’ Morton, said, “It is now time for the Gully God to come on stage,” many young persons drew closer to the stage while the older patrons took that as a cue to exit the venue.
The ‘On the Rock’ singer took to the stage sometime after 2:00 a.m. and performed a number of his hits – some were positive and others promoted lyrical violence.
Although most of the young people were very responsive to his lyrics, a large number of persons left the venue disappointed with his performance.
A Defence Force solider said, “I feel so embarrassed, I can’t believe these are the kind of songs they let this man come here to sing and we complaining ’bout crime.” And a woman added, “It’s time for me to go home now, cause this is just nonsense! I thought they said he won’t perform those songs with violent lyrics.”
It certainly seemed as though the global economic downturn has not affected nationals and residents of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, as reflected by the large turnout at last night’s festivity.
The show came to an end sometime after 3:00 a.m., and the festival continues tonight with the Odisi Band, Ziggy Rankin, Beres Hammond, Stephen Marley and Burning Spear.
