Fans endure wait, but Marleys impress

 

 

After the hype of Ky-Mani’s performance, there was another 45-minute wait before Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley graced the stage. “They are killing the vibes,” one disappointed fan told the T&T Guardian while another felt the promoters could have created a better atmopsphere by including more local reggae acts. However, an apparent diehard fan from Penal—a Rastafarian with long dreadlocks hanging loosely down his back and dressed in traditional Rastafari colours—felt the concert was auspicious occasion. “I am happy to get four Marley brothers on one stage. We are real fortunate. This is history and we may not get this opportunity again, so I good.” At about 2.15 am, Damian was welcomed with loud screams and applause and he didn’t disappoint as he put down an energetic performance. He sang old and new hits, and wowed the crowd who obeyed his every call to action as he thrilled them with his characteristic clear, crisp voice.

 

 

Damian was joined onstage by his brothers Julian and Stephen Marley who both performed some of their own songs. Julian’s more relaxed, but quality performance, included songs like Harder Day, while Stephen sang his big hits No Cigarette Smoke, Pimpers Paradise and Jah Army. The Marley Brothers audience was a diverse mix which cut across age, race and culture - dreadlocks ands bald heads - who all seemed captivated by the brothers’ reggae magic. In the weeks leading up to the concert, there was a lot of discussion about the appropriateness of having a reggae concert on the eve of Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th anniversary of Independence. But with Jamaica also recently celebrating their 50th anniversary, Damian congratulated T&T and also recognised his own country’s milestone by stating; “I wonder which number is more important, 49, 51 or 50, but the most important thing is to inspire and create a togetherness and unity.” Just before the final farewell the four brothers hugged on stage and sang their father’s classic, Could You Be Loved. The concert finally ended at 4:38 am after Damian sang Affairs of Heart and Me Name Junior Gong.