EVO 4.0 takes patrons on trip down memory lane

While EVO 4.0 began late and was affected by technical hiccups and intermittent showers, the show ended with many persons feeling nostalgic and at the same time optimistic about the future of soca.

Persons who turned up to the show, which was dubbed Vincy Mas’ birthday party, at the 8 p.m. start time arrived to sound checks still being done, stage lights being fixed, stage screens being assembled and the stage still being put together.

When the show finally began, an hour past the advertised time, the deejay was allowed to play his set for an further two hours. It was about 11 p.m. when the first band finally took the stage.

While the show attracted a large mature crowd, a number of young people could be seen rocking and moving to the songs of yesteryear.

X-A-Dus, who previously performed at Clash of the Bands in March, powered through their set, despite many technical difficulties. None the less X-A-Dus lead singers Ricky Bowman, Ken “Wizzy” Wiseman and Marvo Morgan and their backing cast led patrons down memory lane, as they belted out hits like “Baila Sanka”, “Pum Pum Sweet” and “Perseverance”. Bowman did a medley of hits of yesterday, including ‘Don’t Lock Me Up,” the 1977 Road March by the Mighty Gringo.

Next to take the stage was Touch, with band members Ifill Shortte (bass), Godfrey Dublin on vocals, Bryan Alexander and Willis Williams on assorted keys. Despite having to perform without the melodic singing of Gideon James, Touch did not disappoint, as Shortte filled in vocals on “Tamika”.

The ever energetic Godfrey Dublin kept the crowd entertained with his dance moves and colourful commentary. Belting out hits like “Jam Dem”, “Pus Man”, “Hickey” and “Move Yuh Front”, they had persons dancing and proving why they have been dubbed one of the best bands out of SVG. They shocked the crowd when Shortte started singing Flanka’s 2017 soca hit “Whole Hog”.

Keith “Grabba Finesse” Charles was the first of the new generation of soca artistes to take the stage. And even though the crowd was predominantly made up of a more mature audience and his song more up-beat, he nevertheless rocked the crowd.

Jamaire “L Pank” Stapleton followed Charles and his tracks “Mad Power” and “Fete after Fete”.

Former Ragga Soca Monarch and Road March King Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams was next and his sweet singing and dance moves had all the ladies in the house screaming for more.

The ‘Rolls Royce of Calypso’, Winston Soso, took the stage next. Clad in his usual button-down suit, he belted hits like “I don’t mind”, “Throw your hands in the air” and “Ah feel to party.”

When his set came to an end, the crowd who had been dancing all night, started chanting for Soso to come back and do one more set.

Next up was Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, dubbed the Crowd Motivator and he did just that. McIntosh showed his versatility by performing some classics, along with a mix of his past and present music. He was joined on stage by Soca Monarch Delroy “Fireman” Hooper, who despite getting the crowd to go “Wild,” had to cut his set short.

The ABC of Calypso, Alston “Becket” Cyrus, in usual fashion, distributed CD’s to female audience members before beginning his performance. Cyrus performed international hits like: “Hezekiah”, “Love is the Answer” and “Say No to Drugs,” among others. He, however, did not perform international hit ‘Teaser,’ much to the disappointment of the audience.

International recording artiste Kevin Lyttle performed his hit song ‘Turn me On’ with Raeon “Maddzart” Primus and his new song ‘Slow Motion’. They were joined on stage by Tarakon Recoding artistes Akene “Prez” Keizer, Kahaliah Beache and Caryl Jae.

To round up the night’s events, the ‘General of Soca,’ Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle, performed popular soca hits: “Good People”, “Watch Thing” and “When the lights go down,” among others.(CM)