Reggae and Soca combine for a regal regatta finale

The normally laid back nature of Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay was fired up with the energy of regatta participants, tourists and local music fans that came out in their numbers to enjoy live performances from some of the Caribbean’s most electrifying performers. After being hyped up the night before by Antiguan Soca powerhouse Claudette Peters and the dynamic St. Maarten band Youth Waves, the massive audience filled both the general and VIP areas of the seaside venue in order to partake of a diverse musical buffet.

Beres Hammond with his full band and beautiful backup singers certainly brought the house down with his extensive catalogue of world renowned hit songs. The famed Jamaican crooner moved the capacity crowd both physically and emotionally with classics such as “Rock away”, “Sweet Lies” and “I Feel Good”. Full of life, vigour and charisma the ‘King of Lovers’ Rock’ had the audience eating out the palm of his hand and singing along to fan favourites including “Pull it Up”, “Putting Up a Resistance” and “Queen and a Lady”.

Much to patrons delight, the night’s entertainment card also featured a special cross-Caribbean collaboration. St. Maarten’s Shadow Man joined by Trinidad and Tobago’s Terry Seales and Ziggy Rankin delivered the very best in Soca, Reggae and Rapso vibrations to the appreciative audience.

Shadow Man, known for hit Soca tunes such as “Caribbean Cruise” and “White Line” has previously collaborated with both Seales and Rankin and took pleasure in sharing the stage with his Trinidadian counterparts. Backed by a live band, Shadow Man, Terry Seales and Ziggy Rankin (who shared that he felt completely at home and treated like family in St. Maarten) were well received by the Kim Sha Beach crowd.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is as well known for its live entertainment component as it is for competitive sailing. Attendees are already waiting in anticipation for next year’s edition and the stellar line up of artistes.