Review: Cup Match Summer Splash Concert

July 28, 2016

[Written by Mikaela Ian Pearman]

The last time Beenie Man came to Bermuda ten years ago, his band didn’t make it for some reason. He ended performing along to his songs and got on the turntables. I remember being so annoyed.

Six years ago, I saw The King of The Dancehall at Sumfest in Montego Bay, Jamaica and to say he was outstanding is an understatement. So obviously, my expectations for Cup Match Summer Splash were high.

The event kicked off around 10pm at Par-la-Ville Car Park with music by Blackstar and followed by Rusty G. The latter had the crowd pretty hyped up.

Bermuda Idol 2014 winner Olivia Hamilton was the first performer of the night, singing a few reggae songs including Redemption Song and Turn Ya Lights Down Low.

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Hamilton has a beautiful voice and great stage presence, but I don’t think she was a fit for the event.

Sanchez, who hasn’t performed locally in 20 years, took to the stage after 11pm and wowed the crowd with his high energy and smooth, melodious voice.

He performed for well over an hour and sang One in a Million, You’re Not Alone, Missing You Now, and covers of Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and John Legend’s All of Me.

He finished his set with Josh Groban’s You Raise Me Up and came back for two encores. It was incredible to see how his energy on stage affected the crowd so much and the whole crowd was singing, dancing and waving. It was beautiful.

Before Beenie took the stage, Major Lazer DJ Walshy Fire took to the stage and performed a wicked set of reggae, soca, EDM and hip hop. He was here last year at this same event. The reason he is member of the world’s greatest DJs right now was evident last night as he was able to keep the crowd hyped for his entire set. I mean, who mixes Drake into Bob Marley?

Skratch Bastid, mixer extraordinaire and another repeat from last year also entertained the crowd with a fusion of soca, reggae and hip hop. He started his set with Bermuda Is Another World and mixed it in with modern music. He too had the crowd turnt up and it seemed he really didn’t want to leave.
But, it was time for the king to come to the stage.

Beenie, backed by the Zagga Zow Band, came to the stage about 1:30am to much applause from the crowd. He opened his set by playing Buju Banton’s Our Father In Zion followed by one of my favourite Beenie songs, King of the Dancehall.

Early on in his set, Beenie admitted he was sick and fell ill before flying to Bermuda. As a result, it felt like he was rushing through his material due to feeling unwell.

However, because he is the king, he still performed dozens of songs including Sim Simma, Romi, Girl Dem Suga, Let Him Go, Bookshelf, Miss LAP, Memories, Dancehall Queen, Dude and so many more songs.

Because I know Beenie was sick, I feel like I have to give him a pass because I’ve seen him at 100% and amazing is an understatement.

There are people who would say he shouldn’t have come if he was sick but then what? Have irate Bermudians angry with promoters?

I don’t think the average person understands the complexity surrounding obtaining work permits for artists so I feel the promoters made the right call in having Beenie perform while ill.

Personally, I enjoyed the night tremendously. It was a fantastic way to kick off the holiday.

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Comments (12)

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  1. Nah look says:

    I want my money back.

    • Onion Juice says:

      So Beany was sick, but have to respect him for acknowledging it unlike Jah Cure who was also sick and didn’t mention it, but tried to wing it through. Good thing Bermudians are civil because if this was a Sting show ………………………….

  2. interesting says:

    I think the writer of this is in the minority. While I applaud the efforts of the organizers most who attended were unimpressed

  3. Spectator says:

    In all honesty Beenie and the show was terrible, besides the some of Sanchez and Walshy Fire. I feel sorry the people that bought VIP and even us regular guys. The first show was much better! Pure guys left early…

  4. Don't tell them the truth says:

    I don’t know what show you saw because its was even worst than Saturday night over priced food and mediocre entertainment first let me just say Jah Cure was disappointing and Bernie Mon I can’t even stop lying this was a total rip off and I too want my dam money back SMDH. Hahaha good show my foot.L

  5. Awake says:

    I have friends here from the states and they were BORED! We felt cheated by the mediocre entertainment. It seems like every year it’s the same old same old. And just because people are waving and dancing doesn’t mean they are enjoying the music. Perhaps it’s the pot and booze and a bit of music causing them to jump and wave! There were a of underaged people there too! What’s up with that?

  6. Disappointed to say the least! says:

    Totally terrible!! What a waste of time and money. Jah Cure on Saturday was terrible, Beenie Man was horrendous! It seemed like he was in a hurry…..sing a few songs and rush through and get paid!

  7. Jussayin says:

    Does anyone ever have anything good 2 say…we bermudians try to find the negative in everything…if u were with good people’s and alive who cares. Next year don’t go simple…somerset!!!

    • Horrible show says:

      We have nothing good to say because there was nothing good about the show we paid $50, $75 or $85 for. Of course next year I (most)won’t go. But did I know it was going to be a horrible show prior to going? NO.

  8. Ed Case says:

    The concert was complete and utter rubbish. I’d say something good if I could bug it was just awful. A bunch of cats in heat could have sung better.

  9. Snowballs says:

    I would have rather watched a whirl wind of trash blow round the parking lot.

  10. Jus' Wonderin' says:

    Probably one of the worst shows um been too in a long while. Sanchez was great at moments but that was about the only saving grace about the WHOLE show! The Jah Cure one wasn’t much better either…..smh! GIMME MY MONEY BACK!