REPORTS out of Canada indicate that reggae artiste Capleton wowed his audience at a concert in Brampton, Ontario, despite protest from local gay rights groups.

The protests prompted organisers to move the Canada Day concert from the original venue in downtown Toronto — which was hosting pride week activities.

Capleton’s manager Claudette Kemp told the

Observer that the show went well with the 43-year-old artiste holding the attention of his audience, who had not seen him perform in that North American city for some time. She further noted that the artiste has such a wide repertoire, that there was no need to re-hash songs of the past, which may be considered offensive to certain groups or individuals.

The concert was originally scheduled for the Sound Academy in Toronto, but had to be relocated after the mangements of the venue was contacted by a leading gay rights advocacy group in Canada, which had also alerted the hate crimes unit of the Toronto police.

Meanwhile, Kemp indicated that her artiste is now gearing up for his annual summer stage show and fund-raiser, A St Mary Mi Come From, which will be held at the Gray’s Inn Sports Complex in Annotto Bay, St Mary on August 5.

She disclosed that this year the theme for the concert is unity, noting that there is currently too much discord in the society at this time and therefore Capleton has decided to promote unity at this year’s show.

A St Mary Mi Come from, is the prime fund-raiser for Capleton’s foundation which supports various charitable organisations and schools in St Mary on an ongoing basis.