There was music for everyone attending the One Awesome Day concert at Farley Hill National Park last Sunday.
Reggae, hip hop and calypso genres heavily influenced the performances.
At times, hands were raised to the sky in worship while at other times flags and rags flew wildly – all in the name of the Lord as the thousands of patrons said farewell to the 21st Barbados Gospelfest.
Barbadian Neesha Woodz helped to set the tone with an energetic performance of her calypso-infused hit Adrenaline. Trumpeter Dave Browne mellowed the mood somewhat with renditions of Your Love Is All Around and How Great Is Our God.
Shouts of “hallelujah”, “praise the Lord” and “glory to God” reverberated across the hills where picnic tables were occupied as families used the day to eat, worship and have fellowship with each other.
Kay Morris from Jamaica, who has been singing from the time she was four years old, invited the crowd to make some Holy Ghost noises for Jesus. Her gospel rendition of several reggae songs drew a good response from the audience, which had swollen tremendously as the sun started to disappear behind the Farley Hill Great House.
Morris’ performance began with Down By The River, made popular by reggae group Morgan Heritage.
The energetic Canton Jones sent the crowd in a frenzy with his hip hop-inspired music. From the time his performance started there was a lot of hand clapping and foot stomping as he sang hit after hit including his popular #1 Fan and Five Seconds.
After his thrilling performance Jones said this was the third time in Barbados and he absolutely loved performing here.
“I love this place,”?he said. “I love the people, it is always a great response and as many times as they want me to come back I will come.”
Jones offered words of encouragement to all young people to be bold for Jesus and urged the older Christians to stand up behind the young.
“Stand up and stand out. Do not worry about what people say,” he told the youth.
There were also pleasing performances by Jamaican artist Junior Tucker who performed for the second time at Gospelfest, and Mali Music.
Producer of Gospelfest Adrian Agard said he was extremely pleased by the response to the shows that made up this year’s festival.
Agard said: “People are responding to this message. The good news of the gospel is what people need to hear, this is what changes the lives of people and this is what Barbados needs.”
