3Canal Re-Evolution show stands strong

“Still standing, still strong,” 3Canal sang onstage at Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook, during last Saturday’s staging of their annual Carnival show. Surrounded by dancers and backed by their band Cut + Clear, the band gave their fans an energetic performance on the stage where it all started, and proved their declaration to be true. The first 3Canal Show was held at the Carib in 2004. The production has been staged at Queen’s Hall for the last four years, but returned this year as the first show to grace the stage of the newly- refurbished space.

Unlike previous editions of the 3Canal Show, which have featured various elements of theatre, this year’s presentation—Re-Evolution Time—was more like a traditional concert. A troupe of twenty dancers shared the stage with the band from start to finish, costumed like urban revolutionaries in torn denim and army green. 3Canal members Roger Roberts, Wendell Manwarren and Stanton Kewley also dressed like rapso soldiers in the first half, amid mist and strobe lighting. A large screen with some impressive changing graphics illuminated one side of the stage, as the band played new hits like I Am, After the Battle (Udecott), and Do the Right Thing.

They also performed classics like Talk Yuh Talk and a cover of Lancelot Lane’s Blow Way. Patrons had the choice of viewing the show seated in the balcony, or downstairs, standing—and dancing—in front of the stage. During Troddin On, 3 Canal hailed the Little Carib and the legacy of its founder, Beryl McBurnie, urging their audience, “Believe in yourself; be strong.” Throughout, the show maintained themes of resistance, revolution and responsibility, homing in on political change around the world, the recent change in government in T&T, and positive societal transformation. As usual, 3Canal used their charisma and craft to get their points across.

The show continued its tradition of bringing emerging talent to the stage with its slate of MLF (Music Liberation Front) performers. This year’s MLF featured Gyazette, whose lead singer Nicolai Salcedo performed Captain to a great audience response; Collis Duranty, who had the crowd singing his chorus for him on For and Bring Back My Love; and KIN Sibling Rivalry, who added soca to their usual rock-reggae mix on Carnival J’Ouvert, sung by Kiwan Landreth Smith. This brought out some rapso flavour on Mud, with Adam “Mar” Andrews on lead vocals. In the second half, the dancers were festive in red-accented, J’Ouvert-themed costumes, and the crowd downstairs was decidedly in a dancing mood. They lifted their energy as 3Canal re-emerged, sporting appliquéd jackets by The Cloth.

They were joined by Shaft, singing Surrender, and Ataklan, who got the audience’s hands in the air with Caribbean Swagger. The rapso men performed their hits Blue and Good Morning, as well as more of this year’s offerings, including Over Me, We Coming Again and I Am. During their final song, Run de Riddem, the audience kept time with their hands and chanted the chorus, “Is de rhythm we want!” Along with good vibes and plenty music, that’s exactly what they’d got. 3Canal’s Re-Evolution Time, continues at the Little Carib Theatre on Roberts Street in Woodbrook, every night until Carnival Saturday.