Despite calls for a boycott, Rise Barbados did not fall.
Rather, the artistes stood tall to ensure that the patrons who went to Kensington Oval on Wednesday night got their money’s worth.
Without a doubt, Kes The Band was one of the shining acts of the night.
The band is celebrating its 20th year and its set reflected 20 years of hits. Led by lead singer Kees, they performed songs such as Cocoa Tea, Fallin, People, Hello, Jub Jub, Where Yuh From, Tack Back, Miracle, Last Drum, Wotless, Stage Gone Bad, Love It and Medicine.
The band also paid tribute to Bajan acts krosfyah and Rupee by singing Pump Me Up and Blame It On De Music. They also performed No Sweetness on the Full Blown Entertainment-produced Big Links Riddim.
Brothers Kevon Hart and Kory Hart, who make up the Full Blown duo, then joined Kes on stage to chants from the crowd as they sang Good Spirits.
There was an issue with one of the microphones, but although they had to share one for a part of the performance, they made it work to their advantage.
After that problem was fixed, the duo sang some of the other songs they penned, such as Machel Montano’s The Fog, Like Ah Boss and Mr Fete.
After they exited the stage, Kes returned and sang the smash hit Savannah Grass.
Trinidadian superstar Patrice Roberts continued to be on top of her game on the Rise stage.
With support from the A-Team band, she delivered high-energy performances of songs such as Like Yuhself, Like It Like That, Criminal Wine, Better Days, Band of D Year, Big Girl Now, A Little Wine, Cyah Hear Yuh, Carry On
She was vulnerable during Toxic Love – a song she recorded with her late fiancé Ricardo Drue. Drue, who passed away in December 2023, would have turned 40 yesterday.
Roberts closed the show with Anxiety by jumping off the stage and running into the crowd and greeting her fans.
Skinny Fabulous brought the curtain down on the show with high energy as he performed Come Home, Behaving The Worst, Watch Thing and Famalay.
“Queen of Soca” Alison Hinds, who was also backed by the A-Team band and dancers, had a diverse set.
She performed classics such as Iron Bazodee, Raggamuffin, Togetherness, Roll and Faluma and 2025 release Smile. She was joined on stage by Senator John King for a rendition of their ballad Hold You
In A Song.
The “Queen of Freaks”, Lady Lava,performed Bob The Builder, Bare Bounce, You Have A Gyal and Ring Finger.
Bajan soca star Tionne Hernandez performed Starta Pack and Shake It A lot.
Don Trent sang Me & You, When Tomorrow Comes and Baddest Gyal. Ultimate Soca champion Blaka Dan performed Blessing.
While some patrons had complaints and suggested that more food was needed in the VIP section, the majority who spoke to the DAILY NATION said they enjoyed their time.
The boycott call arose in June when Orlando Newton, one of the directors of Nouvelle Vie, the production company of Rise, came under fire from the public. An edited clip was widely circulated online of Newtown saying: “The reason why we may not have an entourage of local artistes is because we try to get the best. Because we are looking at a stage that is a 40-foot stage – 40 by 40 most times – and you have to be able to perform on it. That is the reason we added Lady Lava.”
He was accused of disrespecting Barbadian artistes and many people on social media called for Barbadians to boycott the event. However. Newton said he was misinterpreted and that they had always worked with Bajan artistes and supported the development of local talent.
When asked for an assessment of the show, one of Rise’s producers, De Carla Applewhaite, said she was pleased with the way the event was running.
“I think everybody is very excited. It’s a good show, we have a good crowd,” she said.
When asked if the producers believed the boycott was successful, Applewhaite replied: “I am happy that Barbadians have come and continued to support Rise. They know what Rise is about. We have always been an eclectic show. We always have a mixed cast and, for true followers of Rise, they know we try to have the best all around.
“That is what we continue to do as a production company. I am looking forward to seeing everyone back here next year,” she added.
