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On the heels of Dru Hill and Brian McKnight thrilling an almost capacity crowd at the Constant Spring Golf Club in St Andrew recently, the organisers, Live & Direc, are already in promotional mode for their second concert for 2025. But, alas, mum’s the word, and Production Coordinator Cheryl Peart would only tease.
“Ahhh ... you have to stay tuned. Yuh know something big is coming next, right? I wish I could tell you now. One thing I can assure you, just like everything we have always done, or supporters are going to love it,” a smiling Peart told The Gleaner.
Of course, she was elated at the success of concert which had many attendees commending her team for the choice of venue, the layout and organisation.
“The venue here afforded us a nice space. It’s comfortable, it’s secure, it’s open air. People on leaving were saying ‘I love this venue.’ Every time we just try to make it better and better,” Peart stated.
Noting that it was a “great experience’, Peart said she “loved the fact that the artistes came out, did their thing and, more importantly, the audience got lost in the songs”.
The concert provided a non-stop musical parade, starting with the In2Nation band, which backed all the Jamaican acts. Digicel Rising Stars alum, the suave Mozein, reminded in 15 minutes that he remains a force to contend with musically. The only female act for the night, Joby Jay, rightfully earned her space on the line-up and while some patrons were not too familiar with her, the reggae-fusion singer surely made new fans.
“I had fun ... I had an amazing time,” Joby Jay told The Gleaner after her performance. “I was making sure that people were hearing me clearly and that I was connecting.”
Among her selections which stirred the crowd were her 2019 single Big Girl Ting, and Bear, from her début EP, Love Levels.
Christopher Ellis, the son of the late, great Godfather of Rocksteady, Alton Ellis, turned in a great performance. His set included Willow Tree, Flame Against the Wind and, of course, Get Ready Rocksteady and one drop classics from half a century ago which didn’t even need to be dusted off. Skanking as threw down the big tunes, Ellis took time to “big up the Godfather Alton Ellis”, even as he name-checked heavyweights like John Holt, Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson.
Dru Hill needed no introduction and theirs was a set soaked in ‘90s groove, liberally splashed with the energy of the 2000s. Their coordinated outfits were in step with their slick dance moves which seemed to tell their own stories. The R&B group delivered on their promise and the Constant Spring Golf Club was like a huge choir when they performed hits such as In My Bed, Never Make a Promise and How Deep is Your Love.
For one hour, Dru Hill kept fans entertained and then made way for show-closer, Brian McKnight, the singer who has been performing for 33 years and whose notes hit all the right spots.
Known for his love songs, McKnight still seemed to be in the honeymoon phase of his second marriage and he showed videos of his wedding, spoke lovingly about his wife and their children, with tears streaming down his cheeks. The audience loved him.
However, there were some who felt that Dru Hill should have closed the show.
“The truth is that they are both great artistes and we wanted to give variety,” Peart told The Gleaner. “Brian is that softer kind of melodies, it’s a slower vibe. Sisqó and Dru Hill they were jumping all over the place. I couldn’t believe it. I remember earlier when we had asked ‘Are you still doing that?’ And he said we are doing it even better now, and that’s what they did.”
A fulfilled Peart said that the concert, by all indications, was financially viable. “The turnout was great and I’m appreciative of all who came out. I am happiest though when I see everybody in the audience vibing, smiling and feeling good because that’s what we want to deliver.”
English (US) ·