CROP OVER in The City was lit!
The fifth annual concert hosted by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band, in association with the National Cultural Foundation was the right elixir to put the large audience in the right mood for Crop Over.
Barbadians and tourists flocked to Independence Square on Thursday evening to hear, see, dance and enjoy some of the best songs of festivals past while getting a taste of some of the 2017 offerings.
From the warm-up session by the increasingly popular Police Band to the final strains of Alison Hinds’ Togetherness, the free concert either whetted the appetites of the hungry Crop Over music lovers or satisfied their cravings. In some instances, it could have been both.
There was not a dull or boring moment. You know how sometimes the MC can give a joke that falls flat or drag out the show with inane banter, none of that happened, and Jamarr De Star must be commended for keeping the show lively and moving in between performers.
At the risk of sounding monotonous, Barbadian entertainers are among the best in the world and when you can have birthday girl Alison, Biggie Irie, Marvay, Mistuh Dale, Nikita, Shanta Prince, Blood, iWeb, Adrian Clarke, Aziza, Grynner, King Bubba, Mikey, Charisma, Statement, Marzville and Stabby on the same card, it was hard not be enthused.
Add the defending Junior Monarchs – Summa (eight-12) and De MC (13-18) – to the mix and you had all the makings of a great show.
What is noteworthy is that the members of the Police Band seemed to enjoy playing the music. They were always good!
Summa’s Recession still sounds as refreshing as it did when she dominated the competition in the 8 to 12 category last year. A bit taller now, she owned the stage in the amphitheatre and delivered an award-winning performance. She, like De MC who sang Outta Love, is ready to face and conquer the contestants this year.
The “tired from work” audience that Biggie Irie urged to get up and dance during his performances of Pankatang, his new song Rehab and Need Ah Riddim, recharged themselves enough to head to the area in front of the stage armed with cell phones to record and take photos of the performances that included Turn On De Speaker, Roll It, Drop It, Nutten Sweetah, Know Yuh Face, Loose, All Inclusive, Tequila, Drinking Rum, Bun it Up, Bang Bim, Stush, How Ee Fetting, Wanna Be, One People, One Nation and Survive De Weekend.
Among those enjoying themselves was Trinidadian songwriter Jason Shaft Bishop who seemed to be having a blast. He recorded Nikita’s performance of Same Way which she said caused a “small, small scandal”.
Alison ended the show on a high note with her performances of Bazodee, Single, Faluma and Togetherness. The entertainers really did “up de ting! (GBM)
