Beres Hammond turns setback into showmanship - Romain Virgo, Nigy Boy shine at Mother’s Day concert In NYC  

What began as an unfortunate situation for singer Beres Hammond became one of the most unforgettable moments of his Beres & Friends Mother’s Day concert at UBS Arena in New York on Saturday.

The lover's rock icon, who was dealing with a left leg injury, appeared on stage seated on a couch, and delivered most of his thrilling performance from right there. Explaining the situation, Hammond said that he had been practising a new dance for the Mother’s Day concert when things went awry.

"A likkle back flip and front flip,” he joked, drawing laughter from the packed arena as he explained his leg injury.

That moment instantly shifted the mood. What could have been seen as a limitation became the emotional centerpiece of the night. It turned concern into laughter and instantly created a bond with the packed arena.

But, before Hammond took full command of the night, the audience was treated to strong performances from the acts billed for the show.

Gospel/reggae singer Lady Da Flame brought early fire to the stage, opening with a powerful rendition of Goodness of God. Her commanding delivery and vibrant stage presence provided the perfect opening jolt for the evening. Other songs that earned her new admirers included Mama Gave Us Life and Second Time. Da Flame honoured the Queen of Lovers Rock, Phyllis Dillon, with a medley, which featured covers of Dillon’s classics Don’t Stay Away (If You Knew), Perfidia and One Life to Live.

Next up was the sharp-suited Romain Virgo, one of the night’s standout performers. The reggae star’s connection with the audience reinforced why he remains one of reggae’s leading contemporary voices. "Happy Mother's day to all the mothers in the house," Virgo said to cheers.

He kicked off his set with Mi Caan Sleep before segueing into Who Feels It. Chatty Chatty (Leave People Business) and Dutty Heart followed. Other hits that were lapped up by fans included Rain Is Falling, She Loves Me Now — a nod to his mentor Beres Hammond — while Ain’t That Loving You and Willow Tree served as an ode to singer Alton Ellis. He also scored big with Soul Provider and Love Doctor which garnered the standard response from patrons before his exit with Good Woman.

Reflecting on his Digicel Rising Star days and incorporating Alton Ellis songs into his set the singer told The Gleaner, that “t's the kind of music [he] grew up listening to”. 

“Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Luciano, Mr Beres Hammond you know ... it's a part of me and I can't let it go," he shared.

For Virgo, the UBS Arena concert was extra special, as it was his first time performing at an arena in NYC. "Words can't explain how grateful I am for the love and the support," he said.

R&B icon Stephanie Mills, who garnered mainstream fame in the 1970s for her role in the Broadway musical, The Wiz, struggled at the start of her set. She eventually hit her stride with Every Time I Close My Eyes and Never Knew Love Like This. Her son and backup vocalist, Farad J. Mills, showed his pedigree, delivering a powerful solo that saw him hit a soaring high note during his performance of Power of Love.

Then came Beres Hammond. The veteran entertainer needed no help to captivate the arena as fans sang along to each song word for word. At one point, his backup singers, in a show of camaraderie, gathered around him on the couch, in a scene that felt spontaneous.

Another high point came when Romain Virgo, Nigy Boy and Hammond’s grandson, Kingston, joined the I Feel Good singer individually for a living-room-style finale on the couch. Nigy delivered an emotional cover of Kenny Rogers’ Write Your Name Across My Heart. His performance added another layer to the night’s musical diversity.

Then Hammond’s grandson joined him on the couch. The moment gave the audience a touching glimpse into the singer’s legacy beyond music as young Kingston crooned No Goodbye from Beres’ 2008 album A Moment In Time.

Between songs, Hammond treated fans to a rich catalogue of classics including Rockaway, In Love With You, What One Dance Can Do, She Loves Me Now, No Disturb Sign, Step Aside, Tempted To Touch, Golden Touch, Double Trouble and Putting Up Resistance.

In the end, Beres Hammond turned misfortune into theatre, proving once again that his true greatness is about creating unforgettable moments, no matter the situation.