Trinidad and Tobago, a land renowned for bringing forth the best in Calypso, Soca, Chutney and Steelpan talents in addition to a host of other indigenous art forms, can add well conceptualised and produced cultural and concert events to its growing list of accolades.

Such an example of high quality event production was the recent musical extravaganza “All About John: The Concert” staged by promotional outfit Nu Wave Consortium, and which highlighted T&T’s local music ambassadors alongside international recording artiste John Legend.

 

The event took place at the popular sport and entertainment venue The Queen’s Park Oval in party central, Port-Of-Spain and on entering the Oval the DancehallSoca team could not help but notice the detailed attention given to on the positioning of entrances to the various sections. This simple factor which may have been an oversight for other promters was quite convenient for ticket holders in the General, VIP, and VVIP sections as well as the artistes and members of the media and assisted in the elimination of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

 

The “masses” truly emerged, dressed to the “tee” as only our local fashionistas can for this momentous occasion featuring one today’s top R&B/Soul artistes and throughout the night, the flow of concert attendees was steady. After weeks of advertising and promotion and eager anticipation John Legend had finally made his return to our shores armed with his catalogue of three albums and numerous hit singles.

 

The show commenced at approximately 10.30 pm with a performance by the Jeune Agape Choir. I must note that adding such a group to the night’s cast of the performers was considered by many to be a bold and creative move on the part of the promoters as it added a definitive element of culture to a contemporary production. The choir utilised their blend of Folk and Modern music and dance much to the crowd’s pleasure and even did cover versions of pop and Soca tunes such as Destra’s “Bonnie and Clyde”.

 

The concert also was the launching pad for T&T’s newest pop sensation Krystal Khayne.

The beautiful and talented Khayne performed three offerings from her upcoming debut album including a track entitled “Kitty Kat” which interestingly enough was originally intended for the forthcoming album by the pop act The Pussy Cat Dolls. Already garnering interest by international record labels like Interscope, Krystal showed the audience that T&T clearly has talent with the ability to reach an international market.

 

The men of H2OPhlo performed next, delivering their unique brand of Soca/R&B/Crossover music. They performed original hits such as “A Little Closer”, “Party With You” and “High On The Dance Floor” as well as some popular Reggae and Pop covers such as Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent” which was well received by all the female fans in attendance.

Masters of ceremony, media personalities Paul Richards and Nikki Crosby, kept the audience in good spirits with their onstage banter while the band set up for the next act to hit the stage. Multiple road march champion Shurwayne Winchester and his newly formed band Y.O.U. came out to a cheerful crowd. Shurwayne alongside fellow frontline vocalist Prestan rendered many Soca smashes and showed their versatility by stepping out of their comfort zone to perform pop ballads e.g. “Shape of My Heart” by Sting and an original song entitled “Only You”.

 

During the band changes, one could see patrons in the General section eagerly gearing up for the main event. In the VIP area some individuals sampled the scrumptious bake and shark and corn soup treats while in VVIP or as it was called “The Cloud Nine Experience” others used these moments to either secure their prime spots in front of the stage or to partake in the complimentary, premium drinks and delicacies such as curried grouper, roasted beef and an assortment of deserts.

 

When the level of anticipation had reached its peak, famed radio personality Adrian Don Mora made his way onstage to introduce the evening’s main event, celebrated recording artiste, musician and actor John Legend.

Legend backed by his full live band and beautiful back-up singers entered the stage to an uproar of approval.

 

Legend performed the track “Used to Love U” as he made his entrance and as the night progressed, he carried all in attendance on a journey of sensuous soul ballads and hip-shaking hip-hop spanning his three major studio albums “Get Lifted”, “Once Again” and “Evolver”.

He acknowledged that the last time that he performed in T&T he was an opening act and expressed his pleasure at being able to return as a featured performer to share his new material.

 

The Grammy award winning singer performed crowd favourites inclusive of “Save Room”, “P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)”, “No Other Love”, “Everybody Knows”, “Green Light” and “Can’t be my Lover” (a duet with Reggae star Buju Banton). He ended his high energy set with the mega- hit “Ordinary People” which had literally everyone in the venue (couples and singles) grooving to the sweet soulful song.

 

John Legend definitely put on a fantastic, high quality, musical showcase complete with singing, live instrumentation and dancing. He even took a moment to dance with one lucky audience member, thus dispelling any rumours that he was a simple piano-man but rather a true showman and world class entertainer.

 

DancehallSoca.com sincerely thanks committee member Racquel Pouchet for granting us media access to the concert and congratulates the entire staff of Nu Wave Consortium on an excellent production and on their initiative which proved that T&T’s local talent (new and established) can share the same stage as platinum selling international music heavyweights… They have set a standard worthy of emulation.