Complete with the rich cultural and spiritually poignant offerings that reggae performers often bring, the bMobile Reggae Sunsplash World Beat Night was an eclectic collection of talents and was reminiscent of a European music festival except for one thing – the artistes billed to perform had, at best, a cult following and were unable to attract even a fair-sized crowd to the Richmond Estate venue.

The vast expanse, lined with booths from which vendors sold craft, clothes, jewellery and food, further contextualised the festive feel of the night even as chair-peddlers earnestly tried getting the $1000 relief items off their hands.

Those seemingly not interested in owning another piece of furniture opted for the cheapest option -perfectly shaped, rectangular cardboard sheets that went for $100 a piece. The lawns were dotted here and there with camping tents, wherein people laid waiting for the night’s choice performers.

Still, the venue teemed with artistry and diversity since ‘cross-cultural’ performances from Latino deejays Alerta and Mey Vidal, out of Colombia and Cuba respectively, were well received. The beat skipped back to more local tones when the raspy-sounding Bushman treated reggae-loving ‘Rastas’ and ‘baldheads’ a like to his discography.

Babylon was further set a blaze when Rastafarian singer Junior Kelly entered the Sunsplash stage with It’s A Tough Life and Blaze. The singer’s high-energy and seamless command of the crowd supported a triumphant rendition of Dem Story, complete with the pump-up stylings of background vocalists and instrumentals.

“Good clean lyrics me deal wid,” Kelly said, declaring that he, unlike some artistes, will never engage in things derogatory. With the up-beat, ska-laden track Just Smile complete, the singer maintained his miltancy and funky but easy performance with renditions of Deeper and Receive.

Dancehall duo Chaka Demus and Pliers also ignited the oppressive structures, performing tunes like Murder She Wrote, Young Gyal Business and the R&B infused She Don’t Let Nobody, among other tracks.

The night’s unofficial theme of “oneness” continued with horn-blaring, waist-gyrating efforts of Soca artiste Machel Montano who had women behaving hysterical as he released tunes like Scandalous, Get Mad and Hol’ We Down.

“This is soca music. CSME so any where you come from just move,” he said before inquiring where some patrons had travelled from to attend the festival. The Trinidadian energy maestro, who says he was largely influenced by reggae sampled several tracks, including Bob Marley’s Lively Up Yourself and War.

“In 2006 my country went to World Cup… We go do it for them one time,” he said before performing Soca Warrior. The track had patrons feverishly waving rags, shirts or anything else they could find. The carnival frenzy continued with Big Fat Fish done with an R&B flavour and Come On – track the singer recorded with Mr Vegas who made an appearance. Montano also sampled Allison Hines Roll It before calling the supple Japanese dancehall queen Joonku onstage.

The petite dancer climbed on the stage’s metal beams and hanging only by her right leg she performed the Dutty Wine.

To accommodate a band change, amphitheatre was now the focus and featured acts Anthony Cruz, LUST and Victor Essiet, the latter performing songs from his latest album One Love, One World. The smaller stage did not mean that less enjoyment would be had, since several patrons made their way to enjoy the music of the sun while day broke.

With the lights on main stage blinking red, green and yellow, it was soon time for Morgan Heritage. The Rastafarian siblings performed A Man Is Still A Man, Don’t Haffi Dread among others.

“Morgan Heritage is a family group, we believe in man, woman and child,” the lead singer told the audience before a performance of Coming Home from their Full Circle album. Their set also included Best Friend, Still Loving Me and the night’s closer How Come.

Though the group gave a well-received performances, the morale at front stage was dampened by security guards who aggressively opposed media photographers from capturing the moment. This aside, the festival – though not completely enthralling – provided a welcoming atmosphere for patrons to enjoy the tropical backdrop of the calming Caribbean sea, the lush St Ann hillside and a spacious venue to the strains of sweet Reggae music. African reggae chanter Alpha Blondy appropriately ended the cultural festivities of world music.