The 2012 Montreal International Reggae Festival season comes
to an end on a high note, seeing a sold out audience pack the Old Port for 3
days of sweet Reggae and Dancehall from the Caribbean’s best artists.
Fans were given a variety of talent and themes to
enjoy. Night one, deemed Dancehall
night, featured Cham and his Wife O. Canada’s
#1 DJ, DJ Poirier, who also hails from Montreal, rocked the crowd with a
combination of musical selections from Shabba Ranks, General Degree and Busy
Signal. Joining the veteran DJ on stage
was Juno Nominee Face-T who slick Dancehall delivery had the audience chanting
for more, as did the fiery presentation and performance of Fire Lion who had
patrons form the Usain Bolt pose during his performance.
The official after party was enjoyed by Sound Clash diehards
who backed EB Lounge to witness Rootsman from Toronto, Showtime from New York
and hometown favorite Little Thunder battle each other for the favour of the
crowd. Toronto’s Rootsman Sound won the
Clash taking all three rounds played.
Night two featured Konshens, whose chart topping singles
“Gyal Ah Bubble,” “Ah So Mih Tan,” and “Good Girl Gone Bad” earned the screams
and cheers from his adoring female fans, and fire salutes from the male fans in
attendance. Another crowd pleaser was
Christopher Martin who had to wheel up his sizzling song “Cheaters Prayer”
several times, and the newest Dancehall sensation, Popcaan worked the stage and
the crowd into a frenzy. Hotta Maestro
also touched the crowd prior to Assassin who’s moving performance called for
encore’s.
Night three, Reggae night, featured Romain Virgo and his soul
moving song “Who Feels it Knows it” had the audience singing along with
him. Tarrus Riley, backed by Ruff Cut
band gave fans so much of what they wanted to hear, tweets about Mr. Singy
Singy were sent the moment he was announced to be at the venue to the end of
his set. Fans knew every word to every
song, and acted as his backing choir when he performed “Stay With You” which
was truly moving.
Froggy Madd Squad had the audience in festive spirits,
opening for Jimmy Cliff! His set include
Reggae anthems that had lighters and flags in the air! Remembering the milestone of Jamaica’s 50th
year of Independence from Great Britain, the Madd Squads leader included rare
Festival music from his music library, impressing fans both mature and young!
Undoubtedly, Jimmy Cliff was the shining crescendo to an
already perfect Festival. Donned in his
red green and gold scarf and leather suit, the legend and Order of Merit holder
gave Montreal his heart and soul as he performed his hits that made him famous
(“Many Rivers to Cross,” “Reggae Nights” and “Miss Jamaica”) as well as songs
from his new album recently released.
Backed by his band, Jimmy reminded all of the years he’s put
into the industry, and his undeniable role in shaping the path that others have
followed. He is truly a legend!
Look out for the Montreal International Reggae Festival 2013
where Eric Blagrove, the Festival’s producer, celebrates 10 years with
surprises and feature presentations!
In the meantime, all updates will be posted at www.montrealreggaefest.com, or by
following @MTLReggaeFest and
@L3Magazine on Twitter!
