#BajanVibes – Please don’t stop the music! . . . Patrons have grand time at 2 Mile Hill event

Craving an injection of live music, 2 Mile Hill fans were vitalized when the popular band hosted Back 2 Life on Saturday evening. Lead singer Mahalia Cummins assured that they were there to jumpstart 2020 from the middle and that objective was achieved as they “turnt” it all the way up.

Deejay music by DMZ and Mali Fresh and Scott Le Roc got people in the mood for a party, and a happy hour of drinks certainly did not hurt. The event which took place at the Copacabana Beach Club on Bay Street started at 5 p.m. and patrons, grateful for the outing, were scattered throughout the venue liming in their cliques. The party got hyped when the band hit the stage at just after 7 p.m.

2 Mile Hill brought along some friends who worked the excited attendees into a frenzy. First out was Faith Callender, on an obvious high with the success of her latest release Don’t Break Yet. After opening her set with Refill, she tantalised with some old dub selections that she liked singing earlier in her career. Quick snippets of Ghetto Story by Cham, Hice It Up, Mi Train Ya Man by Lady Saw and Jim Screechie by Spice were dropped before she launched into her new hit.

The orange-haired songbird Nikita was not to be outdone. Looking sensational in a perfectly fitted crochet top to match the bright hues of her trademark hair, the new mother showed that she still has what it takes to deliver an awesome performance. She was in fine voice delivering Carry Festival, Flight, Same Way and Tequila.

`Daddy Mole also landed at the seaside venue. His sidekick Brucelee Almightee got some solo time in the limelight performing his new sweet soca My Imagination. He teamed up with Mole for Aye.

Mole was still in a pensive mood after attending the funeral service for his friend photojournalist Christoff Griffith, but he chose to dedicate an upbeat performance to Griffith, who was often referred to as the “life of the party”. The energetic crowd sang along with Down In Deh, Breathe and some of the material from his soon-to-be-released album.

The final guest performer for the night was the reigning Soca Monarch Mikey. Waving his Chefette inflatable in the air, he issued instructions to the obedient crowd. He performed old favourites like Roll It and the new Getting It Good. He was joined on stage by Mahalia Cummins for Alison Hinds’ Togetherness.

The song selections by 2 Mile Hill were the perfect glue which bonded these performances together. The band, known for its diversity, shone brightly on the night.

Their session included hits from across the region like Savannah Grass and Ah Little Wine from Trinidad’s Kes and Patrice Roberts, respectively, and Bawl It Out from Jamaica’s Shenseea. Also in the mix was the international hit by Savage by Meg Thee Stallion and local hits like Lil Rick’s All Is Rum. They were brilliant with some of their own compositions including Conversation, Run It and Talk to Me, bringing some relief to those who have been cooped up for much too long. (STT)