Four Videos: Cup Match Summer Splash Concert

[Written by Chris Famous]

Every so often a group of people come together as a team and are able to create endless miracles. Feats that no one individual would be able to pull off by themselves are easily attainable when working with other like-minded individuals.

For the last few years several event promoters have banded together to create what has become a signature event by the name of “Cup Match Summer Splash”.

The primary drivers of this series are Mr. Andrew Holmes, Mr.  Rowan Ramotar and Mr. Declan Harris collectively known as 441 Productions and Veterans In Action respectively.

Slideshow of the concert:

They have transformed Par-La-Ville parking lot into an annual mecca of music lovers of all genres in partnership with the Corporation of Hamilton and other corporate sponsors such as Goslings, Digicel, Supermart grocery stores and Pepsi.

Top artists have graced the stage on the eve of Cup Match giving their all to thousands of every age, race and gender. Over the years the list of artists read like a who is who of Caribbean entertainment: Beres Hammond, Morgan Heritage, Machel Montano, Taurus Riley, Barrington Levy etc.

This year proved that the synergy of sponsors and organizers has reached a point of near perfection. With artiste confirmed months in advance, thousands of Bermudians saved the dates and put aside their funds in order to attend this year’s offerings of reggae Cup Match communion.

This year’s featured artists were reggae legends in their own right.

Bermuda’s own Colin Harper aka Collie Buddz aka ‘Mr. Finally The Herbs Come Around.’ Performing for a Bermudian audience for the first time in 4 years.

Collie Buddz At Cup Match Summer Splash

The international act was none other than top Jamaican singer Siccature Alcock, more commonly known as Jah Cure.

Clad in Somerset colours, Collie Buddz made it clear from the outset who was his Cup Match team much to the joy of many in the audience.

I must say for a Somerset fan he stood his wicket and delivered run after run with a mixture of his own hits such as “Mamacita,” “Come Around” mixed with other reggae standards by other reggae artists such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Beenie Man.

Perhaps the two stand out tracks were when his back-up singer performed a reggae rendition of Adele’s global hit “Hello” and his closing set “Blind to the Haters.”

For one hour the local boy had full command of the stage and the audience.

Jah Cure At Cup Match Summer Splash

During the seamless stage change between Collie Buddz’ band and Jah Cure’s band Iya Cure, the audience was treated to another local musical legend who has been one of the pioneers of modern dancehall over the last 30 years.

From the days of lifting milk crates full of records and speaker boxes in the 1980s, right up until the modern days of lifting only a laptop in the year 2016, Jugglin Jason has mastered every aspect of not just DJing but message music to the masses.

Seemingly careful not to declare his team leanings, Juggler mesmerized the crowd with hit after hit of the music that has become a part of our social fiber over the last 40 years.

Ali Malik At Cup Match Summer Splash

Be it “96 Degrees in the Shade” by Third World transitioning into a slick Super Cat, the church was in. Rev. Juggler has always been able to have thousands of persons singing the songs he plays in chorus.

Perhaps in a bid to “appear” to remain neutral as one of Cup Match commentators his last selection by West Indian cricket  team player DJ Dwayne Bravo “Champion” was dedicated to both Cup Match teams.

Finally a moment that many have waited all their lives to see, with stage lighting turned down low the main act slowed strolled onto stage. When the stage lights were turned on it appeared as if one of the singing angels had come down from above dressed in all white.

Ramon Clarke At Cup Match Summer Splash

Jah Cure was last in Bermuda eight years ago at Somerset Cricket Club fresh off of his first European tour. Without a doubt, many of those present at Par-La -Ville park were not old enough to go out at the time. Whilst many more of the patrons would not have been at SCC for any number of reasons.

So to finally get to see him perform live was well worth the reasonable ticket fee.

For over an hour he and his band delivered hit after hit stretching back over 15 years. At times persons were treated to solos by his guitarist or vocals from his back-up singer.

At one time he had to be called back onto the stage as the now addicted crowd was now demanding one more song.

He complied and gave the ladies a treat by stripping down to his vest and then going shirtless to deliver his hit song “Unconditional Love”.

A fitting song that described the entire night of unconditional Cup Match love.

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