A stabbing, several fist fights and a poorly organised programme marred the local leg of MTV Tempo first anniversary concert series, Tempo Turns One, on Saturday night.
By Michael MondezieThe crowd was sent running in all directions during Machel Montano and Xtatik's performance, when a group of young men clashed in the middle of the venue in the carpark of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The fight, which was reportedly started after a man snatched a gold chain off the neck of another partygoer, went on for several minutes, as the event's security team seemed reluctant to intervene.
Patrons looked on in horror as one young man had a stone slammed into his face after being kicked mercilessly while down on the ground.
The fight continued at the front gate of the venue despite the presence of a large contingent of fire officers and ended with one man being stabbed several times.
The assailants made a run for the stadium exits while the victim's friends helped him to a nearby ambulance.
A combined unit of soldiers and police later converged on the venue and brought order to proceedings.
Earlier, things threatened to get out of hand when an unidentified man in the crowd threw a bottle of water at Tempo founder Frederick Morton during his welcoming address. Morton, who at the time was speaking of the oneness of Caribbean spirit, for which his music television station stands, called on his security team to remove the man. One man later stripped naked and climbed a pole in the middle of the party.
He was quickly taken away by security.
The unsavoury incidents took all the shine off what promised to be a glamorous night that began with a red carpet show that featured performances by Miss Alysha, Lil Bitts, H2O Phlo, 3Suns, Kimba Sorzano and Bumper Soprano, as well as a series of celebrity interviews conducted by Trinidad-born Tempo VJ Jeanille Bonterre.
However, the smooth tempo seemed to be lost when attention switched to the main stage, where Bermudan reggae star Collie Buddz, Jamaican dancehall groups Voicemail and Left Side & Esco and Bajan stars Allyson Hinds and Rupee were scheduled to perform alongside several local reggae and soca acts.
The long delays between performances and eventual rush of artistes to close the show at its 4 a.m. shut off time frustrated the crowd.
Several local music fans meanwhile voiced their concern over the result of the show, saying they were embarrassed to have the island showcased in such a negative light.
T&T was the third and final location for the Tempo Turns One show, which was previously staged in the Bahamas and St Croix.
