VIDA by Esquire band launches Kindred Spirits

By Coretta Joe

It’s officially band launch season! 

The Crop Over Pulse team at Barbados TODAY attended the first in-person band launch ahead of the 2023 Crop Over season compliments the band VIDA by Esquire. Held at the picturesque Codrington Court in Society, St John, the event hit all the marks for what a band launch should be, incorporating elements of pre-COVID times with luxe, modern touches. 

The Decor 

The fete vibes could be felt as soon as patrons walked through the entrance. The gorgeous set-up and stage design was the perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos and reels. The vibrant colours in varying tones of reds, oranges, yellows and blues melded cohesively with this year’s look and theme. And, of course, they included quintessential Bajan catchphrases such as “Jones and Wuk-Up”, “Brawling Boxcies”, and “Wuh Gine On” as part of the display. 

The Music 

At no point during the launch did the vibes wane. The deejays tasked with the warm-up segment, Salt & Don and Jus Jay, truly understood the assignment and performed accordingly. It was a delightful potpourri of selections from Trinidad Soca to Bashment and Groovy Soca, old and new. Other deejays on the night included Jagwa, Hutchy and Sizz and The Legacy Team. Popular artistes Jagwa and Stiffy rounded out the entertainment, performing live on stage during the presentation of costumes. 

The Costumes 

When host Alex Jordan walked out on stage, there was barely any standing room up front as photographers and excited patrons clamoured for the best vantage spots as the moment everyone was waiting for arrived. Little did they know that it would be an entire production before the first model stepped on stage. The show opened with a daring fireeater, then a thrilling dance routine from Riddim Tribe, paving the way for the main spectacle. Screams erupted as the models came out, section by section. The crowd loved every minute of it.

‘Kanivali’ was a favourite on stage at the band launch.

VIDA by Esquire pulled out all the stops when it came to the design. All designed by Caribbean creatives, the theme Kindred Spirits paid homage to the Caribbean islands’ commonalities in spite of their differences. One of the highlights of the costume presentation was the diversity and representation displayed on stage. Slim or voluptuous, every model looked sensational as they danced and paraded on stage. Many spectators were pleasantly surprised to see queer representation with the “VXN Stud” costume.

A ‘VXN’ model strutting her stuff at the band launch.

Masqueraders looking to jump with VIDA by Esquire can choose from eight sections: Kanivali, Kimana, Muscovado, Plumeria, Tamoya, Solaris, Songbird, and VXN.

corettajoe@barbadostoday.bb