The inaugural edition of the Saturday Night Live concert series launched triumphantly at Sky Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on November 29, headlined by a masterful performance from reggae icon Marcia Griffiths. Dressed resplendently in white, the 76-year-old songstress commanded the stage with an hour-long set that seamlessly blended classic hits with profound audience engagement.
Griffiths commenced her performance by inviting attendees closer to the stage, opening with a nostalgic trip through The Wailers’ catalog with renditions of ‘Put It On,’ ‘Duppy Conqueror,’ and ‘Mellow Mood.’ She transitioned effortlessly into what she termed the ‘national anthem’ – ‘Dreamland,’ a seminal recording from her work with producer Sonia Pottinger.
The musical journey continued with a string of her signature tracks including ‘I Shall Sing,’ ‘Fire Burning,’ and ‘Land of Love.’ Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Griffiths delivered a soul-stirring interpretation of Nancy Wilson’s ‘(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am’ that garnered overwhelming audience applause. A highlight emerged with her cover of Christine McVie’s ‘Everywhere,’ the track that introduced her to a new generation of dancehall enthusiasts in the 1990s.
In a poignant tribute to her musical roots, Griffiths dedicated the final segment of her performance to Bob Marley, honoring ‘the brother who took reggae to the four corners of the world.’ She delivered powerful renditions of ‘Buffalo Soldier,’ ‘Iron Lion Zion,’ and a Nyahbinghi-inspired ‘Redemption Song,’ concluding her set with the Bunny Wailer-penned ‘Electric Boogie’ – her most commercially successful hit.
The evening culminated with a heartfelt birthday celebration as organizers presented Griffiths with a cake commemorating her 76th birthday, which she had celebrated on November 23.
Supporting acts Space Kat and Lloyd Parks with We The People Band delivered commendable opening performances, with the latter serving as the backing band for all artists. Event promoter Roderick Graham expressed immense satisfaction with the debut event, noting: ‘We implemented an extensive setup to create a beautiful ambiance. The overwhelming positive feedback and expressed satisfaction from attendees perfectly aligned with our initial vision.’
The concert series continues with its second installment scheduled for December 27 at the same venue.