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Five Days of Bmobile Soca in the Square 2008
Machel Montano HD featuring
Patrice Roberts,
Zan and Ricki T
Machel Montano
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 21, 2008
Soca in the Square started off with a bang on Monday 21st January, 2008, with Machel Montano HD setting Woodford Square afire, especially with Montano's commanding and energetic performance. The event began at the noon hour with the Square already filled with thousands of Soca aficionados who took time away from school and from work to see their favourite Soca artistes.
To officialize the Soca in the Square series, Councillor Joel London, representing the Mayor of Port of Spain Murchison Brown, took to the platform to bequeath his welcome.
Soon following were some costume-clad ladies who paraded the stage, giving the audience a taste of what is to come in the next twelve days on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
The sea of green moved and swayed to the high-energy performances of Montano and his entourage singing hits from 2007 such as "Jumbie" and "One More Wine", and 2008 releases such as "Unconditional Love". Joining him on stage were Zan, backing Machel's performance; fellow band mate Farmer Nappy singing his hit "Chippin' With Me Own Woman"; Patrice Roberts singing songs such as "Wukking Up" and "Band of the Year" with Machel Montano, and St. Lucian artiste, Ricki T performing "Pressure Boom".
The crowd was obviously very enthused with the performances; members of the audience were singing Soca hits verbatim and even one member bravely came on stage blowing his trumpet.
The performances flowed one into the other with a few pauses, including Montano's brief exit to change his crotch-ripped pants (while other band mates remained on stage) and his attempt to quell a dispute between a male and female audience member.
The first day of the Soca in the Square series was quite successful. It is yet to be seen if the other days featuring KMC and Red White and Black on Tuesday, Bunji Garlin and the Asylum on Wednesday, Roy Cape All Stars on Thursday and Shurwayne Winchester and the band Traffik on Friday, would live up to or surpass the energy felt today.
Machel Montano HD in the Square 2008 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=86997
KMC and the band Red, White and Black
KMC and Red, White and Black
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 22, 2008
The second day of the Soca in the Square series, Tuesday 22nd January, 2008, featured KMC and the Red, White and Black band. Although the crowd was not as large as the day before, it was still quite substantial and the audience was very much delighted with the performances.
Ken Marlon Charles (KMC) was joined on stage with Diamond Cut who provided good support and later by Gospel-Soca artiste, Jadee. Members of the audience seemed quite pleased, so much so that they were very aware that the programme finished about ten minutes before it was supposed to. Most stayed till the end.
KMC and the Red, White and Black band performed many of their great hits including "Bashment to Carnival", "Soul on Fire", "Move", "I Don't Want to Know" and "Carnival Rag". They were also joined by dance group 'Diamond Crew' who added an extra tempo to the mix and encouraged the crowd to follow some of their creative moves.
The sea of green, wearing the colour of main sponsor b-mobile, will continue to benefit from the free concert series for the rest of the week. Many are expecting great performances to come.
KMC and Red White and Black in the Square 2008 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=87536
Bunji, Faye-Ann and The Asylum Band
Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons and The Asylum Band
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 23, 2008
By far the biggest and most exciting event in the Soca in the Square series so far, Bunji, Faye-Ann and the Asylum band gave the audience a fantastic show on Wednesday, 23rd January, 2008. The Square was tightly packed, more so than the first two days, with working adults and school children coming to see the 'Fireman' and friends firsthand.
The show began with the introduction of costume-clad ladies showcasing the sections of Ronnie Mac Intosh's Carnival band. The crowd showed their appreciation for the spectacle but also showed their great anticipation for what was to come.
Not too long after, Bunji Garlin burst onto the scene accompanied by his wife, the vivacious and equally talented Faye-Ann Lyons. Both had excellent control of the audience with their charisma and charm. Singing hits such as "Fireman", "Gimme de Brass", "Mash up" and "Firey", Bunji Garlin proved his staying power in the Soca industry and simultaneously validated his position as the artiste of the people. Lyons also had the audience in a frenzy with her powerful voice and had them moving to her every command. The audience went wild with tunes such as "Move" and "Make Ah Stage" which has proven to be an excellent Road March contender.
Also joining them on stage were the energetic 'Scarface' who sang "Dollar" and Chutney Soca sensation 'Hunter' who, along with Bunji, sang "Bring de Rum" which sent the audience wild.
Adding another exciting dimension to the concert, Bunji and Faye-Ann invited members of the audience to sing or chant parts of their songs to win a bmobile sponsored cellphone. The winners, Krystal Rodney, Precious Roberts and Crystal all proved their worth in front of thousands who gave their approval.
The dynamic duo also invited members of the media on stage to take special pictures of them and the crowd moving left, right, back and front according to their instructions.
The fiery performances today were quite powerful and moving and arguably the best of the series thus far. It is yet to be seen if the next two days of the Soca in the Square series will be up to par.
Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons and The Asylum Band in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=87655
Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx,
Olatunji and Trini Jacobs
Roy Cape All Stars
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 24, 2008
Nearing the midday hour on Thursday 24th January, 2008, Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx, Olatunji Yearwood and Trini Jacobs entered the Woodford Square stage to render what was to be an energetic performance.
Singing their tunes from previous years such as Blaxx's "Dutty" and Olatunji Yearwood's "Get Wild" they were able to capture a nostalgic mood that was appreciated by the audience. They also sang a medley of other popular Soca hits which sent the audience into a frenzy. However, the song that was most popular with the audience was Blaxx's Road March contending "Breathless". Based on the reaction of the audience, the song has a great chance of winning the Road March title.
Also coming to the stage was Neil 'The Boss' 'Iwer' George who, as usual, mashed up the fete. After singing hits such as "Fete After Fete", George proceeded to introduce his two sons stating that he was in the business for over twenty years and that he wanted to bequeath to Trinidad and Tobago his legacies. Following suit, Blaxx also teasingly introduced his two sons on stage and advised Trinidad and Tobago to look out for them in future.
The 2008 Soca in the Square series ends tomorrow with Shurwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth, Eddie and the band Traffik.
Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx,
Olatunji and Trini Jacobs in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=87937
Traffik featuring Shurwayne Winchester,
Sean Caruth and Eddie
Traffik with Shurwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth and Eddie
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 25, 2008
The last day of the Soca in the Square series, Friday 25th January, 2008, ended with a bang with the band Traffik, featuring Shurwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth and Eddie.
The crowd was multitudinous and quite excitable as the trio rendered hit after hit including "Don't Stop", "Dead or Alive", "The Band Coming", "Carnival Please Stay", "Open the Gate" and "Can't Wait". All these songs had favorable crowd response and the hit "Whole Day" proved to be another Road March contender for Carnival 2008.
Also adding to the exciting mood, Shurwayne went into the crowd and climbed on top one of the media platforms to sing some of his songs. The audience jumped and danced wildly, adding to the joyousness of the occasion.
After returning stage-side, the band invited audience members to perform to win bmobile sponsored prizes. A few brave audience members took to the stage showing that they too had what it takes to be Soca stars. The audience declared their approval and selected the winners that they thought were most deserving.
The Soca in the Square series has proven to be a great success as one of the many Carnival related activities. Next year's event may bring more and more people to the Square to witness budding Soca artistes, legendary bands as well as pioneers in the Soca industry.
Traffik with Shurwayne Winchester, Sean Caruth, Eddie in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=88582
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