Review: Sia Spence Performs At The Loren

[Written by Dale Butler]

The Loren at Pink Beach has established a solid foundation as a five star hotel in Bermuda by consistently offering great service and food at their five star South Shore eight acre resort at 116 South Road, Smith’s Parish.

Since its renaming in 2017, entertainment has been added to the delight of guests and many locals missing the numerous venues we once had as the capital of international and local show business with world renown performers flocking to our shores joining local treasures, for example, the Talbot Brothers, who lived just across the street.

Photos courtesy of Brandon Morrison:

Making her return after being highlighted as an associate producer for feature-length film Waterboyz, Sia’s graceful entrance at The Loren in a silver sequin dress became her crowning as a queen as she wasted no time with her three fellow singers and friends, Lloyd Holder, Verlencia Aberdeen, and Demara Maybury [2024 Bermuda Idol].

Oh what a night, with a very tight band called Made Man, led by Raymond George, Troy Washington, Zaren Bennett, and Dino Richol. The $100 ticket was worth every penny as they used every minute to give us an excellent selection of 1990s/early 2000s tunes in keeping with the evening’s theme: “Old Flames – New Memories.”

Present with smiles on their faces were Minister of Tourism Owen K. Darrell and singing sensation Roschelle Lecomte, who had recorded with Warner Brothers.

The house settled quickly with complimentary Casa Mojitos sponsored by Burrows and Lightbourne and the band started with a nameless introduction as Sia introduced the singers, who were flawless on every song, backing her and sometimes doing solos. The standard was set high with her strong voice, the harmony of the background singers and the multi-talented band. They gave us their heart and soul and wasted no time with an excellent selection of songs:

• Hey Mr. DJ: Zhane [Sia & Friends]
• I Care For You: Aaliyah [Sia]
• Real Love: Mary J. Blige [Sia]
• I Love You: Faith Evans [Demara] They were exceptional and the band added the icing to the cake when they turned lead guitarist Dino Richol loose. A mountain top moment.
• Tell Me: American R & B, Groove Theory [Sia & Lloyd]
• Mellow – Any Time, Any Place: Janet Jackson. Valencia Aberdeen owned that R & B ballad in common time with a slow tempo which made the audience feel her soul. Wow.
• Best of Me: Anthony Hamilton kept Sia on her throne with Lloyd Holder ensuring that his performance would be pasted on the billboard with Sia, Verlencia and Demara.
• So Into You: Tamia. Demara kept the energy of the crowd high with her 5 star performance. Electrifying. The audience was flying high. She has a magnetic touch and a passionate voice.
• Good Girls: American R & B by Joe [Lloyd]
• Another Sad Love Song: Toni Braxton [Sia]
• Before I Let You Go: Blackstreet. Solo by Lloyd who did a command performance with the song which pushed the band and backup singers to the limit. I would dare say we all lost 30 years and wonder what could possibly beat that song.
• Weak: SWV [Verlencia] kept the standard high because the energy in the room was wild.
• I Will Always Love You: Whitney Houston, was performed with the guitar only by Sia as a tribute to her mom. It was difficult to do and she touched many in the room who had also lost moms and significant others.
• Far Away: Kindred the Family – Soul – neo soul [Lloyd & Sia]

It was a perfect night of music that excited and delighted everyone present. It was non stop energy and we still wanted more. This event was long overdue and bonded with the audience who look forward to more. DJ Shock N Lust played some great songs for the audience who were so happy with the entire night.

Congrats Sia, we know these shows take a lot of work but you created a huge fan base which cannot be ignored.

The live event was sponsored by the following:

• The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture and Sport
• The Loren at Pink Beach
• Dolapo E. Productions and Film Distribution
• Burrows & Lightbourne
• Northshore Medical and Aesthetics Center

- Dale Butler, the Professor of Bermuda Music, is a critic, historian, researcher, documentarian and author who was brought up with a healthy dose of classical, gospel, calypso, jazz and his favourite Nina Simone captured in his new play “Choy Aming and Nina Simone” which has been added to his “legacy” box of plays not yet performed. His current research projects include Calypso Queen, Celeste Robinson and band leader Ernie Leader. He would like to encourage you to attend the August 8th performance of Roschelle Lecomte at Snorkel Park featuring hits from the 80’s to 2000’s with Halo and friends and many outstanding local stars.

#DaleButler #DaleButlerColumns #Music

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