There is something that one needs to understand about Machel Monday, previously known as the Alternative Concept series. It is in no way a Carnival fete. It is, by all accounts, a full concert of international standards. It is not the hour and a half of concentrated adrenaline that is a Machel fete performance.
What Machel Monday is, is an opportunity for fans, new and old, to get in touch with the music and with the man behind it.
This year was especially significant as it marked 30 years for Machel being in the business of calypso and soca. The show, held at the national stadium, started off with a performance from Kes the Band that was just perfect for setting the scene and getting the massive crowd ready for the night’s main event.
After a 15 minute lull during which there was no music, either because of technical difficulties or as an intentional way of building the anticipation, the show began at 10 p.m. As the prepared musical intro began, the energy in the audience built until it reached its fever pitch as Mr. Double M himself took the stage, opening with one of this year’s runaway hits, Bottle of Rum. With that, the show was on, and the pace was set, as Machel launched into his catalogue of hits in the way that only he can.
The guest artistes, those who have worked with Machel and have supported him and been a part of his story for these many years all contributed to this show, with the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch, K.I. gracing the stage very early on and giving an amazing collaborative performance alongside Machel. The Mighty Shadow, who wrote Machel’s My Cinderella, joined him on stage to sing a few of his own hits.
Also joining Machel on stage was his long time friend and collaborator Beenie Man, who revealed that he has been in the business of music for even three years longer than Machel. Terri Lyons joined Beenie on stage at this point after which they performed the remix to Terri’s 2012 Carnival hit. Benjai performed well, capturing the heart and soul of the audience when he came out, especially when he dove into his current sensation, People’s Champion.
Halfway through the night, the audience was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who greeted the audience warmly. But it was Miami’s Pit Bull who sent the crowd into ecstasy with top hits. One of the most impressive moments of the night was when Machel give his own tribute to Whitney Houston as he sang I believe the children are the future in his signature raspy croon and hit every note, albeit in a lower key than the late singer.
This was followed by Machel giving tribute to the classic kaisonians and he started this set with a new outfit and his accompaniment of Lord Superior on stage. At this point, Kerwin and Patrice also joined the stage, together with Denyse Plummer and Singing Sandra as they performed a rendition of I Am Soca that really connected with the audience. Of course, Mr. Kerwin Dubois just had to climb on the fence to perform his monster hit for the season, Bachannalist, and the crowd loved nothing better.
Machel, now back out in his red adidas track suit continued to perform with the addition of Erphaan Alves and Nadia Batson, stars of the Antilles Riddim. He ended his show with a high energy performance of all his previous road march winners followed by songs that almost or could have, or even should have won the road march. The show finished on a high note as Machel belted out his power soca contender for 2012, Pump Yuh Flag.
