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Unite de Nations 2K4 - Markham Fairgrounds - July 1 2004

After attending the failed Toronto International Reggae Festival on Sunday gone, I decided to attend the Soca equivalent on July 1st at Markham Fairgrounds. This has been a very successful annual event promoted by Islandboyz & co.

I got to the venue around 6:30 - 7:00 pm, due to Euro 2004 semis. For another year in a row, people were outside the venue chilling with coolers full of food and drinks. Parking was reasonable (between $5-$8), so you couldn't complain. There was no line up and everyone was processed in a timely fashion.

Once on the inside, the first of a few negatives was immediately noticed. IB & co., next time leave the stage outside! In the warehouse area is too congested and hot, not to mention you got to share the area with the bar, which was quite nicely stocked, and was never really over bearing to grab a cold drink!

Concerning the stage, a lot of patrons didn't really care to see the opening acts simply because inside was too hot. So there was a big lime outside at all times. As such, I mingled outside enjoying some of the food on sale. I actually sampled the Shark & Bake. It was decent still as the vendor loaded up the bake with nuff shark.

After a couple hours of chilling, I went back in the sweatbox and endured Baron's marathon performance. It was fair to say he performed WAY TOO LONG! If it was a sit down concert then ok, but for a fete, get the "Sweet Soca Man" off the stage faster than that, especially when you were experiencing audio difficulties earlier.

The night continued on with Burning Flames - ok, Krosfyah -ok, Super P - ok, and others including Neu Jenarashun -ok, and a guest appearance by Anthony Malvo and another by the "King" David Rudder, who was there promoting his upcoming concert at Hummingbird Centre. The crowd was becoming a bit restless now and the heat on the inside did not help.

Closer to 1 am, the big name acts began to appear much to the disappointment of patrons who had work the next morning. They all performed and gave an excellent account of themselves except for Adesh, who performed a bit too long according to some. Iwer did ok for himself, but it was Maximus and Destra that stood head and shoulders above the others. Shurwayne Winchester is also quite energetic. I left with Bunji onstage at around 3am, which was when I decided it was enough!

All in all, a way better package than TRIF, however the only change I would ask for is to put the stage back outside and maybe put the vendors inside. And another thing, fix up the sound properly!

Good job, and hopefully the event can run on time next year!