Reggae Sumfest's International Night 2 ends with patrons begging for more Image

by Contributed / Jul 24, 2014 09:13 am

Tessanne Chin and Freddie McGregor stole Saturday's International Night 2, as the curtains came down on Reggae Sumfest 2014. They stood out at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, Montego Bay, on an impressive line-up that included Grammy winner Sean Paul and hip-hop artiste Future.


Sean Paul managed to dispel arguments that he is a studio act only, bringing high energy to an audience much smaller than what the festival's organisers, Summerfest Productions, would have hoped for.

McGregor, the closing act, started his set with AfricaHere I Come andTo Be Poor is a Crime. He promised a performance which would last until sunrise - and delivered.

Push Comes to Shove had the audience singing along. Stop Loving You and Big Ship followed, then came I Will Wait For You and a touching rendition of Always and Forever.

McGregor shared the spotlight with those closest to him. His sons, Chino and Stephen 'The Genius' McGregor, did their collaboration Protected, while his daughter Yashemabeth and her mother Judy Mowatt also performed.


The captain of the Big Ship paid tribute to the late Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown, and delved deep into his own catalogue for Just Don't Wanna Be Lonely and Bobby Babylon.

Earlier in the night McGregor was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Summerfest Productions. Chin, dressed in a suit and bow tie combo, reminding all of her triumphant journey on The Voice competition, singing an emotional Try to resounding applause. There was a dedication to her family, Count On My Love(dubbed her favourite) and Heaven Knows leading to Whitney Houston's challenging I Have Nothing, to good results.

A rendition of Bob Marley's Redemption Song preceded Tessanne's introduction of deejay Agent Sasco (Assassin), who added energy to an already eclectic set. Hideaway brought original Tessanne Chin supporters back to a time when she was not known on the world stage and was evidence of her growth as an artiste and a performer.


Future began with Loveeeeeee Song (in which he is featured on the Rihanna recording). The women sang along in what could be considered the largest choir of the night. HonestGood Kush and Alcohol and UOENO warmed the audience, with Bugatti receiving resounding applause.

Same Damn Time sent members of the ecstatic audience leaping in several directions, while I Won and Turn on the Lights (I'm Lookin' for Her) spoke to the women in the audience.

Four excellent dancers, dressed in all white, flanked Sean Paul as he opened with Give It Up To Me. Taking it the audience back in time with Get Busy, Sean Paul had Sumfest patrons dancing as he delivered one hit after the other. In the process, he did Baby Boy, which elicited screams from the women.

Going even further back in his career Sean Paul did InfiltrateDeport ThemNah Get No Bligh and Like Glue, each song receiving stronger applause than the previous one.

TEMPERATURE

Gimme Di Light and We Be Burning incited dancing and there were calls for the legalisation of marijuana, while Riot hit out against social injustices. She Doesn't Mind was punctuated with fireworks and the atmosphere heated up with Temperature as Sean Paul thanked his fans before exiting to pyrotechnics.

Sanchez opened with Hallelujah and incorporated Pass Di Kutchie into a medley of fan favorites. After an unscheduled intermission Sanchez was introduced again and wooed the audience with Lonely Won't Leave Me AloneIf I Ever Fall in Love Again and Love Should Have Brought You Home in his distinctive voice.


While Sanchez complained about performing early, the audience's response seemed to nullify his displeasure.

Also performing on International Night 2 were Prissy G, Zvuloon Dub System and the Montego Bay Boys & Girls Club Band. The surprise of the night took place as The Wizard featuring Kat Dahlia's performed. They were joined by Beres Hammond, who was introduced by his daughter Nastassja. The performance included Rock Away, one of Hammond's numerous hits.

Original Story from The Gleaner: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140721/ent/ent2.html

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