It was expected that soca superstar Machel Montano’s first performance in T&T since the COVID-19 pandemic would be something special.
And that it was.
Montano made an emotional return to the local stage on Saturday to help filmmaker Danielle Dieffenthaller raise funds to help her medical journey.
Montano took to one knee as he honoured Dieffenthaller during his performance. He credited Dieffenthaller for directing his “Big Truck” music video.
Apart from Montano’s triumphant return, the audience was ecstatic when soca legend Superblue (Austin Lyons) joined him on stage.
The entire Staying Alive concert was an outpouring of love and support for Dieffenthaller who was diagnosed with renal failure and is currently in line for a kidney transplant. She has remained on dialysis since being diagnosed with end-stage renal failure three years ago.
The transplant procedure and aftercare are estimated to cost in excess of $400,000.
Dieffenthaller is credited for producing and directing local TV show favourites such as Westwood Park and the Reef.
One incident that threatened to dampen the show for the hundreds in attendance was the police’s attempt to shut down the event at midnight which would have prevented Dieffenthaller’s brother soca artiste Kees from performing.
However, following the intervention by Chinese Laundry (Anthony Chow Lin On), Montano and Dieffenthaller herself, Kees was able to perform at least one song.
Kes the Band selected popular 2019 hit Savannah Grass, which Kees performed for 20 minutes incorporating some of his well known hits like Hello and Jolene, much to the delight of the crowd and the dismay of the officers.
Also performing at the event were Freetown Collective, Sekon Sta (Nesta Boxhill), Preedy (Akeem Chance), Orange Sky and local dancehall artiste Rheon Elbourne.
The National Organ Transplant Unit was also present to sign people up to become donors.
The concert also featured performances from 3 Canal, Dane Gulston and Johann Chuckaree, and the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra.