ORGANISERS of the monthly music series, Wickie Wackie Live, used the Saturday’s staging to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen.

The event saw a small, yet appreciative, audience gather at the popular seaside location in St Thomas for what was a great night of inspiring performances.

It was “live teachings” once the show’s headliner, Rastafari singjay I-Wayne took to the stage.

His entry was heralded by the strains of the iconic rhythm Satta Massagana, and the artiste, known for his hard-hitting tracks, did not mince words from the moment he took to the stage just after midnight. For the next hour, I-Wayne treated his Wickie Wackie audience to another of his signature performances.

His popular tracks such as Living in Love and Life Seeds were seamlessly interwoven with new and less popular songs to create “live teachings” on topics such as the state of Reggae music, our diet, clashing deejays, life and love.

As two bonfires blazed on the black sand beach adjoining the venue, so did I-Wayne’s powerful lyrics and potent messages.

He would close his set with his break-out hit One Man Can’t Satisfy Her.

I-Wayne was preceded by the always energetic and entertaining Rootz Underground band.

Lead singer Stephen Newland has the ability to draw his audience into a performance, whether it numbers thousands at a major festival or an intimate setting such as Wickie Wackie.

Newland’s infectious energy and haunting tonal quality was used to maximum effect on tracks such as Kingston Town, which was made even more impressive thanks to the great melodies added by the horn section led by Everol Wray.

Return of the Righteous and the signature track The System were among the standouts of the band’s set.

Singer Sherita has been doing the rounds lately. A week ago, she opened for Chronixx at Keesing Live in St Andrew.

On Saturday night, the singer — who has provided backing vocals for the likes of Tarrus Riley — would kick off the main acts on the show’s bill.

With a smooth, easy tone Sherita would add to the ambience of the event and complement the sound of the waves as they broke against the rocky beach.

Her set included originals — The Weekend, Fine Me Baby and Reggae Music is Life — and covers of Strive by Shinehead and Beres Hammond’s Putting Up Resistance.

View more photo highlights from this event and others in our Online Photo Gallery

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Wickie Wackie Live (57 images)[/naviga:h3]