On Friday 27 May, Verve nightclub came alive with sweet soca rhythms as local artistes teased patrons with their hits for the season. It was the launch of Soca D Ultimate Tent, an event, dubbed Levé, that was hosted by tent director Michael Esnard and the CMMC.
Levé was emceed by local radio show personalities Maureen and Rhonnie. It was far from disappointing. Audience members gathered from near and far to sample their favourite artistes’ releases.
The crowd was moved by the sounds of both newcomers and seasoned veterans alike as they debuted their music. On stage we saw and heard, among others, Crown with Carnival Love, Jiggy Old Parts, Cooyah Fya Sticky Icky, Kisha Catching Feelings and Lick it Stick, Hollywood HP Spoil We Name, Shemmy J Dou Dou, Ambi Stress and Woman. Saint Lucia’s reigning Soca Monarch Ricky T joined Ambi on stage to perform their song Come Take It and proceeded to sway the crowd with new singles Live Life and Done. Newcomer to the groovy soca scene Ti Blacks (lead vocalist of the Extreme Band) also debuted his single for the season, Purge Them Out.
The ever-popular dennery segment was also in the spotlight, with artistes such as Nassis and Krome doing Ready for That, reigning Groovy Soca Monarch Sly and the Vye Twizeen Boys, followed by Tension Crew who performed a mash-up of their most popular songs. They were all backed by the Extreme Band, who continued to rock the crowd throughout the night with a medley of soca hits present and past.
CMMC chair Claude A Paul told Soca News: “The opportunity to showcase their talent in a live setting, connecting with and gauging the reactions of a crowd, is a huge step forward.” As many of the artistes advertised to perform were unable to show, the crowd was promised a Levé Part 2 which takes place tonight Friday 3 June.
