NIGHT one of this year’s staging of the Blue Mountain Music Festival left a sour taste in the mouths of many patrons who braved the cold climes of the Holywell National Park on Saturday.

Following last year’s debut, the organisers decided to create a day-into-early-evening event, culminating at about 10:00 pm as it was recognised that the venue’s temperature dips dramatically and is unbearable for patrons, especially those from the tropics.

However, this was not to be. Saturday’s show, which was advertised to start at 3:00 pm, saw the first act taking the stage at 9:00 pm. Disgruntled patrons, some of whom were inside the park from as early as 4:00 pm, vented their frustrations, but the lack of power and sound in the venue prevented the event from getting off the ground.

“I think this event has so much potential. I came last year and loved it and this year brought five of my friends, but this is just too much,” one patron told the Jamaica Observer on her way out.

“The problems I experienced last year and was willing to overlook due to the potential of the festival [and] should not be recurring in year two. I am so disappointed,” she added, as she and her party exited the park after the first two acts had performed.

What would follow for the rest of the evening was marred by the late start time. As a result, it was difficult for the acts to make any meaningful impact and warm the hearts of the ‘cold’ audience.

Duane Stephenson was one of the early acts and he tried with his popular tracks Real Getto Pain, Cottage in Negril and August Town. His applause was one of the few of the night.

It didn’t help that only after two acts there was to be a band change. Thanks to the versatility of the Warrior Love Band, which took the stand next, the audience was spared any more of these for the rest of the event.

The temperature guage shifted slightly with the energetic performance of Fantan Mojah. He tried to get the audience up on their feet and succeeded somewhat, but many were still seething. Nevertheless, he delivered his known tracks and sections of the audience appreciated them.

Not even Voicemail, who usually has the knack of creating a ‘aerobics class’ with their set, could get some blood pumping but they did try. In-between, there were performances which, probably under normal circumstances, could have been appreciated, but the prevailing conditions made it difficult.

Rising Stars winner Shuga tried, I Candy — the youngest sister of the Brick and Lace trio — was promising, Chevaughn worked hard, as did Stratdon, Kenny Smith and Imar Shepherd.

When the Observer team left the venue at near 2:00 am, the dancehall quartet TOK — who are the event organisers — were on stage trying to make good for their patrons.

The festival was set to

conclude last night with performances by Ryan Mark, Tarrus Riley, Mystic Revealler and Uprising Roots Band.