BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE 17th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival ended a few minutes shy of 1:00 this morning (Jun. 30), and there was no better artiste than Lionel Richie to bring the curtains down on this extravaganza.
For two hours the American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor belted out his past hits with such energy and showmanship that left many young patrons wondering if in the future they could possess half the stamina of the man, who on Thursday (Jun. 20) celebrated his 64th birth anniversary.
Before the thousands who went to see and listen to this year’s Music Festival headline act at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium, Lionel Richie, appearing onstage, remarked, “St. Kitts...I don't know why it has taken me so long to get here, but I'm here to stay!” A remark that was met with thunderous applauses and cheers.
‘All around the World’ was the first song the past lead singer of the famous Commodores performed for the appreciative bumper crowd.
And having worked up a sweat 20 minutes into his performance, the artiste joke that because of the night’s humidity he would certainly see a re-growth of the afro hairstyle he sported in the 1970s and 80s.
Other songs he performed included his solos and some from the Commodores, such as ‘Penny Lover’, 'Easy Like Sunday Morning' ,‘Three Times A Lady’, ' Ballerina Girl’, ‘Endless Love’ and ‘Brickhouse’.
Additionally, he belted out songs that he claimed made some members of the audience either got engaged or married or for which they got “in a whole lot of trouble”.
Those songs included ‘Crazy over You’ and ‘Stuck on You’.
In his rendition of ‘Sail On’, Lionel Richie paid tribute to former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela who is reportedly hospitalised and on life support.
“We love you,” he said in expressing best wishes for a speedy recovery.
He further hailed Mandela as a “powerful source in our lives” that he wished to celebrate.
Having had an earlier teaser moment in giving the impression that his performance was over, the expression written on the faces of some patrons appeared that they hoped he was joking and that the show would continue.
And continue it did as many persons remained in front of the stage until they were got the message...so to speak.
Throughout Lionel Richie’s performance, many of the more mature members in the audience sang along with him, while some of the younger people rocked and sang along to most of the familiar choruses.
Nearing the end of his high energy delivery, Lionel Richie belted out two of his most famous and fan- loved songs...’Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’.
“Hello…I love you St. Kitts!” he exclaimed.
Lionel Richie left the stage on a high and energetic note as he improvised lyrics of the popular Gangnam style song and dance to say, “Lionel Richie style.” And he even had his own little dance too, which made the excited audience clapped and laughed in appreciation.
The Cayon Pantastics Steel Pan Orchestra, which comprised players aged 14 to 18, opened the show with lively musical selections that featured a variety of genres including Reggae, Dancehall and Calypso.
Next was the popular American musician and composer who specialises in steel pan music, Andy Narell, and featured were well-known calypsonian Etienne Charles and trumpeter Relator; both of whom are from Trinidad.
Together they gave a performance that clocked approximately one and a half hours.
Relator humourously thanked audience for “that round of applause that you almost gave to me” after he appeared on stage.
He informed the audience that “my grandmother is from here and I always feel at home when I'm here”.
Relator did songs by the late Mighty Kitchener from Trinidad such as ‘Nora’, ‘Love in de Cemetery’ and ‘Batty Mamselle’. He also did renditions of the late Mighty Terror who is also from Trinidad.
He and Etienne Charles together performed an extempo with witty lyrics that erupted much laughter from the audience.
The first night of the Music Festival featured Nu Vybes Band International, Small Axe, Grand Masters, Kore Band, Fay-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin and Super Blue.
On the second night were Dejour, Dagah, Charles Emmanuel, Christopher Martin, Konshens, Shaggy and Beres Hammond.
