The telecom network that boasts of being the bigger and better of the two here in T&T, threw a true Trini bash on Independence Day, bringing out hundreds to the Hyatt Waterfront in Port-of-Spain from as early as 2.30 pm.
Digicel's Outta Control concert experience featured some notable acts, among them Ravi B and Karma, Kes the Band and Jamaican crooner, Tessanne Chin, along with Skid Nevelly, 5 miles to Midnight, Tim Starr and the SR family, Orange Sky, Anslem Douglas and Zante.
Localise It
Equipped with Digicel girls, who proudly strutted their stuff in the brand's signature red, the event, which maintained strong momentum throughout the day and into the night, offered a chance for locals to feel the vibe of their own talent.
With government's recently launched Localise It campaign, Digicel's promotion of local talent was on par with what the people of T&T suddenly seem to be embracing.
D party now start
On Tuesday afternoon, children accompanied by their parents, teenagers out with friends, and even the elderly, flooded the Waterfront in anticipation of the free showcase. With Mother Nature behaving at her best on Independence Day, Digicel certainly got the outpouring it had hoped for.
At around 8 pm, the act everyone seemed to have been waiting for, took centre stage. Kes the band was introduced, following a strong performance by local rock band Skid Nevelly. Wearing red, white and black in tribute to T&T's 48th Independence celebration, Kees erupted into the music he's best known for. Mixing the alternative with his soca anthems, the Digicel sponsored local hit maker, kept the crowd enthralled.
It was sometime later, though, when he welcomed his musical counterpart from Jamaica, that applause turned to whistles, shrieks, screams and shouts of adoration.
Chin, who this year, teamed up with Kees to record Loving You, walked on stage wearing black and projecting nothing short of absolute beauty. Together, the pair invoked the song's spirit –filling the night air with the melody that many, if not all, T&T nationals know and love. The songstress also belted out some of her other musical hits, truly impressing the crowd, many of whom sang along or hummed to the tunes they'd heard before.
The event also gave the red network a chance to promote its 'on de road, off de phone' campaign. Bumper stickers reflecting the sentiment were given out, along with umbrellas and the usual bandanna wavers.
All in all, the showcase on Independence Day allowed the people of T&T and visitors alike, to bask in the splendour of local talent. According to Digicel, the Outta Control Tour was aimed at making the artistes more accessible to their fans in the summer of 2010.