1 month ago
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WESTERN BUREAU:
While she reeled off some of her well-known hits, R&R songbird Toni Braxton, who was the headline act on Night Two of Reggae Sumfest 2025, failed to perform up to the expected standard, leaving many patrons at Catherine Hall Stadium bitterly disappointed.
“If I knew that this was what I was going to [be] getting for my money, I would have stayed home in my bed,” said Andrea Stowe, who said she travelled from Negril primarily to see Braxton’s performance. “I love her records, so I thought it would be nice to see her perform them live.”
Braxton, who took the stage about 2:50 a.m., following impressive performances from Lila Iké and Protoje, who lifted the tempo after a decent early performance by Fantan Mojah, Pressure Busspipe and Bugle. However, sound issues aside, Toni, Braxton struggled to connect with the audience, which was waiting to be pleased.
Despite delving into popular songs like He Wasn’t Man Enough, Just be a Man About it, Another Sad Love Song, Breathe Again and even singing the Happy Birthday song for the patrons, who were celebrating birthdays, Braxton quickly realised she was not connecting with the audience and politely asked why they were so quiet.
At that juncture, Braxton took time out to explain that she is facing a health challenge with lupus, and her doctors had given up on her. However, she said the man upstairs (God) had saved her life, which clearly tugged at the hearts of some patrons, who seemed to sympathise with her.
Braxton again tried to connect with the audience through her soulful rendition of the song, How Could an Angel Break my Heart, which also failed to move the audience. At that stage, after a mere 34 minutes of her scheduled one-hour slot, she exited the stage.
Without prompting, the master of ceremonies, after failing to get the audience to approve an encore, nonetheless called her back. This time, she finally got the crowd to move with her up-tempo delivery of the song, Un-Break my Heart, which she belted out with ease, and then exited the stage for good.
Lila Iké, who made her Reggae Sumfest début six years ago, when she performed as a part of Protoje’s then set, was a solo performer on Saturday night, working with her own band. She was quite masterful, showing off the qualities one would expect from an established star.
In between telling her side of the story about an incident with the police on Friday night, while she was driving down to Montego Bay for the show, Lila Iké displayed solid musical credentials in reeling off songs like, I Spy, Second Chance, Un-break My Heart, and Where I’m Coming From, which resonated with the fans in a profound way.
Protoje, who took the stage after Lila Iké, was equally potent as he too was in rich form, belting out numerous popular songs from his growing catalogue. He was exceptionally pleasing in his delivery of Blood Money, Kingston Be Wise, Rasta Love, Like Royalty and the compelling, Who Knows.
US Virgin Islands’ artiste, Pressure Busspipe, the uncompromising I-Wayne, and the lyrically potent Bugle, gave roots rock reggae a massive advert, albeit they were not all thrilled with the slots they were given, and in the case of Fantan Mojah, the short time he was given.
In a mature set, in which he used social commentary to bolster his songs, Fantan Mojah was on point while belting out songs like Hail the King, Corruption, Word to the Wise, and Hungry. Pressure Busspipe scored big with Lioness and Love and Affection; I-Wayne, traditionally known for his strong anti-sexual immorality posture, sparkled with Lava Ground, Book of Life and Living in Love; while Bugle stood tall with Compatible, Anointed, Journeys and Don’t Blame Life.
The tribute segment, which highlighted the contribution of deceased reggae giants such as Cocoa Tea, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Jimmy Riley, was well received by the fans who did not walk out of the venue during and after Toni Braxton’s set.
Tarrus Riley emerged triumphant, as he delivered a well-received set, in which he reeled off his own hits as well as some of his father’s, the legendary Jimmy Riley. Tarrus also used the opportunity to demonstrate that the Riley legacy is intact for the near future as he had his son showing off his amazing skills on the guitar, and his daughter demonstrating rich vocal range as she masterfully delivered the song, Why, which is a staple in his own catalogue.
While they did not enjoy the benefit of great exposure as they performed before many of the patrons had arrived, opening acts Annae and St Ann-based singer Angel Eyes both gave pleasing performances, which should serve as encouragement going forward.
The 2025 staging of the annual summer festival, Reggae Sumfest, presented by DownSound Entertainment, unfolded from July 13 - 19 in Montego Bay, St James. Activities included the Family Fun Day, Street Dance, All White, Blitz, Global Fête, and the main concerts. Reggae Sumfest, the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, started in 1993.
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