Colourful excitement at Bacchanal J’Ouvert
Paint , partying, and pleasure defined Bacchanal J’Ouvert, the penultimate event for Bacchanal Jamaica, at Mas Camp in St Andrew, last Friday.
“We can’t do anything except smile, be happy and be proud with what has been produced throughout the year. For Bacchanal J’Ouvert every ticket has been sold out: pre-sold, gate; literally the amount of people outside is greater than the amount of people inside the venue, and we can’t ask for anything more. Everyone inside is having a great time and this is why we do it, for the love of carnival,” Michael Ammar III, a Bacchanal Jamaica director, told the Jamaica Observer.
Things started off strong as the multitudes were kept active by an inspired Barrie Hype, who championed the DJ line-up of DJ Smoke, Back2Basics and DJ Cruise, as they filled in the spots between the two billed performers Nailah Blackman and Ricardo Drue. He had the throngs singing, dancing, jumping and waving their glow sticks all night.
There was no energy lost when Blackman took the stage. Her set was the correct length and intensity as she delivered her popular hits Sokah, Badishh, Baila Mami and Workout.
“The first year that I came I was performing with KES to the song Workout. I was very new to the soca scene in general as far as Jamaica. It was my first time coming to Jamaica and people didn’t know who I was. It was a different reaction. People liked the song. This time the people know who I am and they were having such a good vibe. This crowd was so energetic,” said soca artiste.
And that energy only went sky-high as before Drue hit the stage the paint was announced. As the masses revelled in the signature J’Ouvert paint throwing, he capitalised on the frenzy in the audience. With well-known hits like Professional, Vagabond and ID, he brought the event to its conclusion before the night road march.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be here. There are a lot of artistes they could have gone with or chosen to be here and they chose me, so just to be here in front of a sold-out crowd is amazing,” he said.
— Rory Daley
