Mixed response to Reggae on the Beach 2016

HUNDREDS of persons in the latest fashion converged on Bay Street on Sunday evening, for the anticipated 2016 Reggae on the Beach Festival at the Daiquiri Beach, Pirates Cove Complex.

The show promised a wonderful evening of reggae, with artists from Jamaica and Barbados making up the entertainment line-up.

The performances took off to a slow start, as the opening acts were unable to deliver much enthusiasm or participation from the overflowing crowd with their performances.

Seasoned Reggae on the Beach artiste, Lady Essence, took the stage with artiste Mole shortly around 7:25 p.m., and the duo attempted to rev up the audience with an energetic and hype performance, with songs such as ‘Stab It’, ‘My Gun Ain’t Easy’, ‘De Forty’, ‘Buss My Gun’ and ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, but it was the song ‘Ish’ which captured the audience.

Jamaican artiste, Kandie, gave the audience an entertaining ten-minute performance of her songs ‘Kill Nuh Belly’, ‘Clean From Head To Toe’ and ‘Turkle’. The young artiste used the opportunity to showcase her talent and gave patrons a taste of what to expect from her in the future, as she continues working and making music here in Barbados.

Barbadian artist, Stiffy, who is no stranger to the stage, was a must see performance for some. He brought the music and the energy, making for a hyped performance. He was one of the few that managed to keep the show strictly reggae, without bits of dancehall popping in and out.  Excited screams rippled through the air during his performance of the songs ‘Ride It’, ‘Eyelid’, ‘Body In Trouble’ and ‘Squat and Go Down’.

The artist told the media, “I have learnt to keep doing what I am doing, in terms of my music. Despite learning different styles, my style works for me.

“There is no change, in that I like being me and learning from there, because being me is what brought me to the stage. Music is about melody and energy. Once those factors are there, persons will sing the songs.”

Jamaican artise Spice was the must see act on Sunday evening for many. Spice, along with her backup dancers, did not disappoint. One can say her interactiveness with the crowd, going as far as to come off the stage, climb the fencing to dance and touch patrons, stole the hearts of many, as persons screamed “I love you Spice”, and received an instant ‘I love you back’ response from the artiste.

After performing a number of songs such as  ‘Ramping Shop’ and ‘Conjugal,’ to name a few, she treated patrons to her new song ‘Indicator’, finishing her performance with the song ‘Jim Screechie’.

The remaining artists, Dexter Daps and Alkaline, captured the show. Both artists brought a hyped energy to the show for the most part, which was dependent on their choice of song and how well the audience connected with that song.
One can say the best was saved for last, and the last few performances carried the show, in more ways than one.

Patron, Dwight Corbin, told The Barbados Advocate after the show, “I liked the show. My favourite performance was Spice. She is who I came to see.”

His friend Steve Griffith differed in response, and said, “The party was not that good, with the exception of Stiffy, who did a great job.”