SOLD-OUT venues, great performances, patrons singing songs word-for-word and bitter cold were the memories singer Duane Stephenson shared of his recently-concluded European tour.

Looking like he has lost a few pounds, Duane admitted that with the weather in Europe being what it was, it was best to just stay put.

“I didn’t leave my hotel room … didn’t go in search of food or anything else for that matter. I had one meal per day and went outside only when it was time to go to the venue — either for rehearsal or for showtime,” he said.

For Duane, Tarrus Riley and I-Octane, it was the first time all three cultural singers were touring Europe, although they have all had one-off shows in various countries there. However, according to Stephenson, the reception was wonderful — from Germany to Sweden to France — and there was high demand for the package from various promoters. They even had to do a show on a scheduled day off in France.

“The first show was completely sold out and there were still a lot of people wanting to come in. So the promoters asked us if we would do a second show the following night and we agreed,” Duane recalled.

So, with less than a day of promotion, the event was staged and by all accounts things went well.

“We got a 75 per cent full venue and it turned out to be a wonderful show. Patrons knew the songs, they were into the culture and they had an appreciation for the level of consciousness that all three of us demonstrate through our craft,” he noted.

Now back in Jamaica, Duane is overcoming jet lag and settling back into the warmth of the island.

“It’s all systems go as I focus on finishing my album which will be released by VP Records later this year,” he explained.