1 month ago
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WESTERN BUREAU:
Christopher Martin lit up the stage with a fiery late-night set that proved to be worth the wait and the ticket price. Closing the inaugural Bonafide Fest at Montego Bay’s Catherine Hall Sports Complex with swagger and soul, the crooner delivered a high-voltage performance that left no doubt he was among the night’s standouts.
Opening with the emotional Mama, Martin paid tribute to mothers in the audience before shifting gears to crowd favourites like Leave People Business Alone and the cheeky classic, Cheaters Prayer. By the time he declared his wish for his wife and girlfriend to be friends, then closed with Big Deal, the audience was on their feet, cheering a performance that was as playful as it was polished.
For once, a Jamaican concert didn’t just promise, it delivered. From start to finish, the six-hour Bonafide Fest kept the energy high and the quality even higher. Every act hit the mark, backed by world-class production.
The six-hour show never missed a beat. From start to finish, not one act disappointed.
Earlier, gospel singer Kevin Downswell transformed the stadium into a sanctuary, delivering spirit-filled renditions that had the audience in rapturous worship. His performance of You Make Me Stronger was a spiritual balm, uplifting those who may have missed Sunday service.
Tessanne Chin, dressed in a fiery-red pantsuit, kept the energy burning with an empowering set. Her cover of Pink’s Try became a rallying cry for the women in the audience, followed by a nostalgic string of Jamaican classics like Breakfast in Bed and Get Ready, Rocksteady. She brought the house down with Underneath It All and closed with Jimmy Cliff’s Rebel in Me, after dedicating Bridge Over Troubled Water to mothers, reminding women to be the bridge for each other.
The international acts offered a refreshing burst of nostalgia. The Jets, discovered in Minnesota but rooted in Pacific Island heritage, took the stage with slick footwork and silky harmonies. They opened with Curiosity and melted hearts with You Got It All, dedicated to co-promoter Virginia Toalepai. Their seasoned showmanship and island soul proved timeless.
Then came Atlantic Starr, who brought the heat well past midnight. Though it took a moment for them to connect with the crowd, once they rolled out chart-toppers like Secret Lovers and Masterpiece, the vibe shifted. With original member Wayne Lewis, nephew Shammah Carter, and soulful songbird Melessa Pierce, the group’s performance of Always was the night’s sweet, nostalgic exhale. “Many fell in love, got engaged, and even married to this song,” Lewis reminded an appreciative crowd.
Anchoring the show was Bonafide Reggae Band, the Montego Bay-born, Las Vegas-based group that made a triumphant return to their roots. Performing You Are My Everything in tribute to their mother, Yvonne Edwards, the band showed why they’re beloved both at home and abroad. Co-founder Jr Stephens told The Gleaner that the group plans to make Bonafide Fest an annual celebration. “We’re giving 100 per cent back to Jamaica,” he declared.
The festival opened with Mackie Conscious, another Montego Bay native, who set the tone for a night that celebrated not just mothers, but music, memories, and Montego Bay’s place on the global entertainment map.
With its seamless blend of gospel, reggae, R&B, and throwback hits, Bonafide Fest didn’t just meet expectations, it raised the bar. A debut worth remembering, and hopefully, the start of a new Mother’s Day tradition.
English (US) ·