tidings
Elizabeth Gonzales
POURING RAIN, thunder and lightning marred the grand finale of the Tobago Festival of Music and Culture (TOMAC) but Grammy-winning star Burna Boy lifted dampened spirits at the Plymouth Recreational Grounds with an electrifying performance.
Thousands of people ignored the Met Office’s upgrade of its severe weather warning from yellow to orange, hoping the bad weather would hold off long enough to enjoy the show.
Two hours into the concert, it was clear that wasn’t going to happen.
Rain fell during performances by soca stars Nailah Blackman, Ricardo Dru and Shurwayne Winchester.
The concert started at around 8pm and by then hundreds were in the venue sheltering under umbrellas and tents.
Dressed in their best for the much-anticipated show, some were seen wearing garbage bags, which they bought for $5 at the gate, as vendors took advantage of the opportunities created by the bad weather.
Garbage bags were sold after the umbrellas and raincoats were sold.
By 10 p.m., the rain became heavier, but the crowd grew.
An hour gap between the last performance and the headline act left the crowd unsure and ultimately dissatisfied.
The chants of “Burna, Burna” were eventually replaced by “refund, refund” after the music DJ kept the show going without notice.
One customer was heard saying: “They could at least come out and say what’s going on instead of leaving us wondering if the show is going to go on.”
Many disappointed customers eventually left the venue, but many remained determined to get their money’s worth.
Midnight had passed and the stage remained in darkness with its instruments covered in polythene plastic.
However, around 12:40, Burna Boy took the stage, much to the delight of his fans.
The energy from his performance sent the crowd wild, forgetting their wet clothes, hair and shoes.
Burna delivered hit after hit, including Toni Ann Singh (his collaboration with Popcaan), Last Last and Ye.
Song after song, the crowd screamed in excitement, literally singing along to his lyrics.
Burna told the crowd that this was his first time in Tobago and he was excited to visit an island he had “only heard of in the movies”.
Although the rain continued, Burna Boy connected with his fans, performing for an hour to thrill his patient and appreciative fans.
