KESI ASHER, Staff Reporter
Leftside and Esco got good crowd response at Elevation, held at the Goodyear Oval in St. Thomas on the weekend. - WINSTON SILL
THE ELEVATION STAGE show lacked many things, including lights and artistes.
Elevation, held at the Good Year Oval in Springfield, St. Thomas on Saturday, was shadowed by darkness.
Darkness engulfed the cricket pitch as the only lights at the venue were inside the truck where the selectors for Bass Odyssey played. Other than that, the headlights of the cars driving unto the field and lights from a building behind the truck-stage offered little illumination.
"I feel very unsafe here, there is no real security, the place is dark and pick pockets thrive in this type of environment. I think I'm going to leave soon," said Trudy, a patron. However, about two hours after the scheduled 9 p.m. start, more lights appeared.
Not only was it dark, but the incredible line-up of artistes that was expected, shrunk to only three notable entertainers, Left Side and Esco and Wayne Marshall. After standing outside the venue for approximately three hours, waiting for the start of the show, some patrons were upset with what they eventually got.
"I was upset because I thought Beenie Man, Bounty and Cé Cile were going to do something for us, but I heard they had to go to Mass Camp for Stone Love. If that was the case, they (the organisers) should have set the show, for another date," said Suzan.
However, Suzan was pleased with the performances of Left Side and Esco and Wayne Marshall. Tuk Een Yuh Belly had a massive response from the St. Thomas crowd. Left Side and Esco also performed Dr. Evil and Last Night.
The Marshall was in town and he further excited the crowd with Marijuana, Make Them Come, and Rewind.
However the performances took place atop a truck, out on a small platform, from which the performers could hardly be seen by the crowd.
The crowd begged for more Left Side and Esco and Wayne Marshall, but the crew from Solid Agency had to leave for another show in Kingston.
Other artistes who were billed for the show had a similar problem. Bounty Killer and Cé Cile, who were on time and present for the show, did not perform as Elevation started way past the scheduled time, and the artistes apparently had a busy night.
At the gala that preceded Elevation, Beenie had announced that he would not be at the show, as he too had to be present at another Kingston show.
However, this gave many fresh acts the chance to perform. Selah from Spanish Town sang Think About It and Need You. Mr. Zion, from Dominica, sang My Turn and Slash was taken off the stage because of his lewd lyrics.
"I apologise for Slash, this show is supposed to be about upliftment and those lyrics just won't work," said Amelia 'Milk' Sewell from CVM TV, the show's MC.
The remainder of the show was taken up by youngsters from St. Thomas, who filled the void with their performances.
The show, put on by Upliftment Jamaica, was free of cost.
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