“Romain Virgo and Friends owes us nothing,” said 34-year-old Janique Taylor as she stood holding hands with her mother Janet. They watched in awe, momentarily releasing ear-shattering screams as one surprise guest after the other joined Virgo onstage to serenade mothers on their special day.

Their sentiments were echoed by countless patrons who crammed the lawns of Palm Drive at Hope Gardens to soak up an entertainment package Virgo and his musical friends promised would be epic.

Judging by the huge smiles plastered across the faces of numerous audience members, the team delivered on that promise with the likes of the legendary Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley, Agent Sasco, Capleton, Ghost, and many more turning in surprise performances.

The energy on the grounds was magnetic as, long before any of the main acts graced the stage, opening sets from Virgo’s supporting vocalists — Tori Latore and Janeel Mills — set the mood. The duo, having gained experience from travelling the world with Virgo, understood the assignment as they turned in performances that were a sterling prelude for the rest of the evening.

Performing songs like Ocean Eyes and Solid As A Rock, Latore opened the night’s showcase. She did well to warm the crowd up as Mills followed up with a set that further whet the audience’s appetite. Mills, delivering original songs such as
Holding Songs and Hope, held her own and was rewarded with a resounding round of applause from the sold-out crowd.

Songbird Sevana was next on the line-up. Dressed in a dazzling, form-fitting jumpsuit, the singer opened her set with a moving rendition of Celine Dion’s Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word). The track, a fitting tribute to mothers, drew screams of approval from the female fans. The entertainer also offered a brief performance of her popular single, Mango, in a short but spicy set. She made way for Mortimer, who struck all the right chords with his set. His performance included several original tracks, which earned him good feedback from the crowd. However, it was his performance of his hit single, Lightning, that made the most impact, with the crowd singing along word for word to the lyrics.

Then it was time for the main act, the man of the moment himself, Romain Virgo.

Like the star he is, the reggae singer graced the stage donning a bright orange suit. His entrance was met with deafening screams from the jam-packed audience, who were more than ready to receive all the surprises promised. In a two-and-a-half-hour showcase, which chronicled his journey through music, the entertainer left his all onstage. No stone was left unturned as the singer pulled out all the stops in ensuring the crowd got their money’s worth. He opened his set with just one line from his 2022 single Best of Me but it was the most fitting starter as he indeed gave the crowd his best.

Serving up songs such as Wanna Go Home, Love Doctor, Taking you Home, Soul Provider, Don’t You Remember, Good Woman, Rich In Love ,and a host of others, Virgo treated the crowd to one hit after the other. But although he was masterfully handling the crowd all by himself, Virgo called on the assistance of a number of his colleagues as he delivered a little something extra to the welcoming crowd.

From a duet with Marcia Griffiths to an attention-grabbing set from Ghost, the show continued to exceed expectations with each guest performer. There were also performances from OMI, Richie Spice, Capleton and Tarrus Riley, who heaped praises on Virgo for keeping his music clean in an industry often inundated with slackness.

“Dem nuh make dem like we no more and me nah show off,” he said to Virgo. “You’re committed to keeping it clean, committed to sweet melody, and we are proud of you.”

He then turned in a short performance of She’s Royal, another fitting tribute to mothers.

In a post-show interview with the Jamaica Observer, Virgo said he was at a loss for words when he entered the stage to a sold-out crowd.

He expressed gratitude to his supporters whom he has aptly dubbed, The Virgo Nation, for supporting him through all the phases of his career up until to the present day.

“Walking onstage and seeing the crowd out there, it’s amazing. It shows that the people really love their Romain,” he said, laughing. “If you have been watching me over the years; from All Together Sing and then Rising Stars, you’re family. It’s like you’ve watched me grow and it’s just amazing to see everybody come out. It felt like I was singing for my family, so big up to each and everyone who came out tonight. Thanks to everyone who really had a hand in making all this possible and thanks to the Creator; he’s the one who made everything possible. I’m just grateful.”