There was high anticipation in the atmosphere at Bacchanal Jamaica’s Beach J’Ouvert on Saturday at the James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary, as soca fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Destra Garcia on the stage.
Many wanted to see what the mood would be like after Destra’s controversial episode with Bacchanal organisers last year during one of their Friday night fetes.
Nevertheless, the artiste and Bacchanal promoters seemed to have buried the hatchet, because there was a natural chemistry that flowed on stage as the singer delivered hit after hit.
The Gleaner spoke with Michael Ammar Jr, director of Bacchanal Jamaica, and he explained that the situation with Destra inevitably worked itself out.
“Destra is part of the Bacchanal family, so as long as Destra is playing, she will be here. Sometimes, you buck your toe, but you don’t cut off your foot. Everything with Destra and Bacchanal is good now. Tonight, Destra has done well and she has obviously made up for whatever went down last year,” he said.
ENERGETIC PERFORMANCES
Patrons were not disappointed as they were treated to a high-energy performance, and an overall rounded entertainment package at Beach J’Ouvert 2016.
Destra, who took the stage at 7 p.m., along with her backup dancers and band, got right down to business as she performed for over an hour, all the time keeping the full attention of the audience.
Songs like Lucy, Mash Up and Call My Name received extremely positive responses in a set packed with multiple climaxes.
Destra also brought out Farmer Nappy as a surprise addition to the show. The veteran and former bandmate of Machel Montano swiftly proved his worth by delivering a slew of hits, including Big People Party and Stranger.
So impressive and on-point was his relatively short set that Destra publicly gave the artiste credit.
“I had to bring out an artiste that can mash up di place, so big up Farmer Nappy,” she tooted.
STRONG MARKET
Speaking with The Gleaner after her thrilling performance, Destra said that Jamaica is rapidly becoming one of the stronger markets in the Caribbean for soca music because the fans of the genre are very receptive.
“I don’t prepare for a show in Jamaica because I expect it to be great. The vibes is always the same. I go on the stage knowing that the people love me and I just be myself. It’s just a vibe with Jamaica, almost like family. Carnival is growing a lot in Jamaica. Trinidad is the mecca, but here (in Jamaica), it’s just a vibe and people just get on bad. Trinidad will get vex if I say what I want to say, so I don’t want to say it, but Jamaica is right up there. Everytime I finish Trinidad Carnival, I always say I can’t wait for Jamaica,” she said.
Destra is also working on a new album titled Queen – a project she hopes will feature both soca and crossover music.
Source: Curtis Campbell jamaica-gleaner.com
photo credit: Errol Crosby
