Sabina Park came alive on Saturday, April 15, 2023 with a sea of feters for the event dubbed WiFete, with Machel Montano as the headliner.

To get things started, patrons were entertained by a number of DJs, which included DJ Kevy, DJ Rocksteady and DJ Kevin Crown. Jamaican-acts Chromatic and Boom Boom, featuring Harry Hype, took revellers on a journey of dancehall hits from the late 90s to current music.

The event kicked off shortly after 9:00 pm with Trinidad’s Iwer George, who took the crowd down memory lane as he sang a medley of hits, including Come To Meh. As the instrumentals played for Water, he then beckoned his team to bring cases of bottled water to the front of stage, where he instructed the crowd to open their bottles as he went into the chorus. The crowd didn’t seem to mind as being drenched gave them an extra boost of energy in preparation for the next act, Nailah Blackman.

The Trinidadian soca superstar, appeared on stage in a glittery, orange two piece set which featured a high slit skirt and bandeau top, perfect for “getting on bad” as she started with her 2018 hit, Iron Love. She was soon joined on stage by Vincentian Singer Skinny Fabulous as the pair performed Come Home, which added to the already amplified energy of the crowd. When Nailah made a brief exit, Skinny Fabulous went on to perform popular hits, such as Up and Up.

Just when you thought the crowd could not get any more hype, “The Viking King of Soca” Bunji Garlin made his way on stage clad in an all-black outfit with statement denim jeans fit for a militant performance.

The crowd was hanging onto every word to hits like Danger and Famalay as he stretched the microphone to the audience and they offered up the remainder of the lyrics to the songs. After his performance he mentioned that:

“Jamaica is one of the best; the energy is always right. The people always respond well to something that they want to hear. They give all that passion and their full hundred. It’s always high energy.”

He went on to express that during the pandemic he had to restructure as soca music is something that is live and he is happy to connect with his audience in real time and feel the energy in person.

And just like that the energy switched from soca to dancehall as the new dancehall sensation Valiant took the stage with Bounce Cheque. He was then joined by Stalk Ashley, as they performed their popular hit Narcissistic. As Stalk Ashley made her exit he was joined by Byron Meissa for a performance of Moca.

As the clock struck 1:00 pm, the man of the hour, the King Of Soca Machel Montano appeared onstage with his team of dancers, clad in black and white with the signature harness piece added to their costumes, reminiscent of his “Toro, Toro” era.

The minute he said, “Somebody say yeah, yeah,” the crowd was under his control and definitely passed the “soca vibe check”.

This performance is one that was long awaited, as it marked his return to Jamaica with his full band after eight years.

“I’m happy and pleased that so many people came out to WiFete to support this unified event which brings everybody together – Bunji Garlin, Fayon Lyons, Voice, Skinny Fabulous, Nailah Blackman, Valiant, and Sasco. It’s a joy to come to Jamaica and enjoy soca music alongside a little dancehall in the middle of Carnival; that’s the unity we are looking for,” he said.

The performance marked the highlight of the event and was well worth the wait, as fans sang in unison to hits like Like Yuh Self, Like Ah Boss, Shake The place, One More Time, and They Vibes Cyah Done.

The energy was at an all-time high as he was soon joined on stage by Agent Sasco. The dancehall fans went wild. The pair was also joined on stage by Trinbagonian superstar Voice, the artiste, to perform the 2023 single Welcome Home.

Machel Montano further expressed gratitude to the audience.

“When you give love you receive love — what you give is what you get,” he said to the obedient audience.

The event ended just after 2:00 pm to a crowd that seemed to still a few hours left for them to party, though they had been feting for hours.

WiFete attracted patrons all the way from France and Germany as in the audience were two friends who had made the journey from Europe specifically to Jamaica Carnival with WiFete being on of the events they attended because they heard that, “Machel Montano would be there!”

“It’s a very good party, great atmosphere, and I hope to come next year,” said Paige from France.