>> View Under The Trees - Kes The Band Live! Gallery
>> View Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2011 Coverage

So.... Chookie had the guts to ASK ME if I wanted to cover Kes the Band in concert! Duh ... OF COURSE I WILL!! I was so excited to see Kes and his band for an hour plus long performance. I never saw him outside of a regular fete, so I was really wondering what a Kes the Band concert 'Under the Trees' would be like.

As we reach the Normandie hotel at 8.50pm precisely, Kees was already on the stage performing "Wotless" (see official music video) which was immediately followed by "Thunder". The scenery was really nice, a very simple setting nothing over the top, just under the trees of the Normandie hotel.

Now I must say that at the beginning their performance it felt very familiar, and I thought to myself, "Same performance, different vibe!" Different vibe because I never saw before the band with so much energy! It was soon after that, Kees spoke and said that the concert was for all the people who supported them. And believe me, there were plenty of supporters this night!  However, this feeling was rapidly washed away after a couple of songs. Then Nadia Batson came on the stage in flaming red! To say she looked gorgeous would be a euphemism. She started her performance reminding us that "Bumpers Rule"! Ladies never forget that!! Then she brought out the "Caribbean Girl" in me. Big up to our viewers from the whole Caribbean!

Then Kees took over and performed some songs from his previous album, and surprised us all with a wink to "Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano". It was really unexpected but very fun! Then he introduced his post carnival album 'Stereotypes' with "Let Me Know" a ballade with an electro beat. Yes! As Kees tells it himself he IS all inclusive! And that is what we love about the band! The crowd responded very positively to it and we can only wish Kees and his band good luck in this new venture. "Lion" another great hit from the band was not forgotten and put the whole crowd in a very relaxed atmosphere. The next surprise (the 1st in a long line trust me!) was Michelle Xavier from Imij and Co. who came on stage with Kees to perform the famous "Loving You" originally sang by Jamaican Tessanne Chin, and it was great!

The next surprise was Explainer himself who met Kees on the stage to perform classic kaiso "Lorraine", followed by Baron, cause eh... we always "Feeling It" and then Mr. Kerwin Du Bois. From there the pressure went up especially when both Kees and Kerwin started to perform 2011 hit "Ah Ting" followed by "Where Yuh From" on the Electro Lights riddim. Then the HUGE unexpected surprise! It's a bird! It's a plane! No!! It's Machel Montano himself!!! Tagging along on the same riddim with "I Feel So High! (A.O.A)". But people .... we NOT finished yet! There was MORE to come! Shal Marshall and Super Jigga TC joined the party too! They performed their 2K11 soca tunes "Speaker Box", "Whole Day (Motobike)" and "Doh Drag The Flag (Defend It)". Then Michelle X came on with her fantastic song "Fetting For Days" and informed the crowd that she's making it to her very 1st Soca Monarch Finals. Big up and good luck Michelle! Nadia came back again with "Lghters" (featuring Tallpree) ... that nice jab jab tune! I can't wait to hear this on the road come J'Ouvert morning!! This was followed by her and Kees' great 2010 song "Heaven" and really at that point it really felt like heaven!

After almost 2 hours of a great concert Kees concluded the concert with "My Land". At this time I was so high, I had these two lines in my head ... "Open the gate! Jump on the grand stage!" ... sigh ... People, the stage is BACK!! I'm sure WE will ALL "Advantage" it with a definite "Wotless" behavior.

Trinidad ... We love you sooooo much!!
Heart Attack Juice

>> View Under The Trees - Kes The Band Live! Gallery
>> View Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2011 Coverage