Selected Miscellaneous Shows

Respect to Sting, sadness for Wyclef...

Comedic duo Ity and Fancy Cat had their own take on The Police's hit 'Every Breath You Take' at Shaggy and Friends 2018 on Saturday night. Going through the lyrics "Every breath you take/Every move you make/Every bond you break/Every step you take/I'll be watching you", they declared "is a stalking song!" to laughter from members of the large audience.

There was no laughter when Sting, former Police frontman, who followed Ity and Fancy Cat on stage started his extended performance (within the context of a packed line-up) with 'Every Breath You Take'. Through Message in a Bottle, Fields of Gold and Roxanne, a new track with Shaggy and a guest appearance by Agent Sasco, the songs were done in full and the audience showed its respect with applause at the end. There was also applause when he acknowledged his wife and chuckles as he said normally at this time of year he is at his home in England - "a castle, really."

Sting and Wyclef Jean, two of the performers who visited Jamaica for Shaggy and Friends 2018 on Saturday night, delivered extended stints on the lawn of Jamaica House. So did Doug E Fresh, who combined rapping, introducing tunes and human beat box innovation to excellent effect and the soca couple of Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, their upbeat music and attitudes going over well with the large audience. Rapper Fetty Wap's daughter was born prematurely the day before the concert, causing him to miss the show.

In addition to Shaggy, among the Jamaican performers on the fund-raiser for the Bustamante Hospital for Children were closer Capleton, Aidonia, Dexta Daps, Junior Reid, Professor Nuts, Barrington Levy, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Rayvon, Wayne Wonder, Shenseea, Third World, Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo. Delano of Renaissance did turntable duties.

Opening his performance by dipping into the Fugees' catalogue for Lauryn Hill's voice, Wyclef prodded an unresponsive audience at the front of the stage. "Me no care if you spend $10 million on the ticket. You not going to mess up my YouTube. You going to party," Wyclef demanded, before going into the audience to whip up more support.

However, Wyclef ended up "sad" after literally going on a high for a moment that he was looking forward to. Climbing part of the stage rigging as Hip-Hopera, done by Bounty Killer and The Fugees was played. Wyclef said he had a dream of a moment in the concert, which would have been Bounty Killer coming on to do his part, but it did not happen and Wyclef came down.

"I am going to cry," Wyclef said.

(c) Jamaica Star by Mel Cooke