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Rebel Salute 2020: Here comes the rain again - Patrons determined to make best of venue conditions

Published:Sunday | January 19, 2020 | 7:19 AM
Patrons brave the rain to see their favourite acts at Rebel Salute 2020.

Stephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer 

It has been a night filled with dark skies, intermittent showers of rain and muddy earth beneath the feet, seats and blankets of the Rebel Salute supporters and entertainers, but although some persons are soaking wet, it has not put a damper on their moods. 

St Ann-resident Donnette Hamilton says she attends Rebel Salute every year but she is still determined not to miss a minute. With her feet planted firmly, she soaked up dynamic roots-reggae acts such as Errol Dunkley, The Meditations, Richie Spice and Louie Culture, but Mikey Spice was clearly the one she longed to hear.

The second the Mikey Spice admirer decided to uproot herself from the front of the stage, to escape the showers as the heavens broke once again, the smooth vocals of the entertainer echoed through the microphone.

“I was seriously about to leave, but quickly tiptoed through the muddy grass to get up close and personal with Mikey Spice,” Hamilton declared.

She maintained that the weather, though undesirable because of the conditions associated with it, was welcome showers of blessings. 

Another patron, Victoria Browner, a visitor from Canada, shared the same sentiment. 

“This is the core of enjoying every drop of music culture a weekend-long festival like Rebel Salute offers,” she said.

Both ladies were soon hypnotised by the serenading sounds of I Am I Said and Practise What You Preach. The singer also, with the assistance of patrons, handed out red roses to several females including Hamilton and Browner. 

“I need some help, ladies, because I can’t jump off this stage now,” said Mikey Spice shortly after slipping during the intimate moment.

Next on the slippery stage was I-Octane followed by I Wayne, both cautious performers dressed to the nines and armed with powerful sets. At various intervals, sections of the audience could be seen filing into vendor tents and under the riser for the production team inside the general area, while VIP patrons grabbed plastic chairs to cover their heads from the downpour of rain ... but only for a minute, as the entertainers pulled them out of hiding. 

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com