Kes the Band ignites ‘Guyana Grass’ at Stinging Nettles Concert

By Isanella Patoir

Couples old and young, friends and families came out in their numbers to experience Kes the Band live at the El Dorado Stinging Nettles Concert on Thursday.

The concert was held on the lawns of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Turkeyen Greater Georgetown.

The Trinidadian Band’s mixture of soca, calypso, reggae, pop and soulful performances allowed for everyone to have a great and memorable night. The Band, which started in 2005, is a group of three brothers and friends.

Lead singer Kes encouraged the ladies to be themselves “because Caribbean women are the best.”

The crowd cheered and sang along to all the songs that the band performed.

It was refreshing to witness the crowd matching the electric and high energy performances.

Guyana’s flag waved in the night sky as everyone celebrated the country’s Independence. Even the lead singer “a Caribbean man” was waving the Guyana flag. At one point, he left the stage and headed for the barricades waving the Guyana flag, singing and performing with the crowd.

When he pretended to leave for a moment, the crowd started chanting “We want Kes!”

The band’s song ‘Savannah Grass’ won second prize for the Trinidad Soca Road March 2019, however, on Thursday while the lyrics should be ‘When the Riddim beating in town, See we jumping on d savannah grass’, it was instead ‘Guyana Grass’.

He was back on within minutes to continue performing, much to the crowd’s amusement.

Persons were seen jumping, wining, waving and freeing-up to the unique melodies from Kes the Band.

Barbados Soca singer Lil Rick also had the crowd gyrating along with him during his performance.

While leaving the concert, persons could be heard saying: “That was the best concert yet.”

The concert was part of the many activities to celebrate Guyana’s Carnival and 53rd Independence.

Monday night Trinidadian soca artiste Farmer Nappy kicked off the Carnival shows with the “Rum and Ramajay” concert. This was followed by the UG Fete Tuesday night which saw a number of fans coming out despite the inclement weather to see Jamaican Dancehall singing sensation Shenseea.

Famous soca singer Machel Montano heated up the “Wet Wednesday” show at the National Stadium.

In a way of promoting local Guyanese singers and artistes, a number of them were incorporated in every show so far.

Guyana’s very own Timeka Marshall was one of the crowd’s favourite performers at every show with her “Winey Winey” and feeling “Purrfect” performances.

Reigning Soca Monarch Brandon Harding and longstanding soca singer Big Red were also featured performances.