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Sanchez at MOBS2 Trinidad - May 1 2004

Sanchez thrills after long wait

Style after style came in quick succession when Jamaican reggae artiste Sanchez performed at MOBS2, Chaguaramas, on Saturday. More than 3,000 people came out to the show, which was billed as a pre-Mother's Day gift to the nation. They began to arrive from as early as 8 pm, not knowing that they were in for a long, arduous wait before the show would actually get on the way.

Sanchez was the only featured live performer and the entertainment the patrons had available during the wait for his arrival was the juggling from the sound systems, which included Black Chariot, Lion King and Matsimelia.

Several patrons complained about the lack of live opening acts.

The first signs of life on the stage came at 12.17 a.m. when the Chronic Band kicked off its session when lead guitarist Favourite came to the mike and greeted the audience before beginning to sing. After a couple of songs from him, Trinidadian reggae vocalist Sheldon Benji appeared to perform two selections. Although he was well received by the audience, the people's restlessness eventually began to show and the MC cut his presentation short.

Sanchez's publicist, Vonnie McGowan, came on stage and greeted the patrons, thanking them for coming out and saying that she was "very impressed" with the treatment meted out to Sanchez" during his visit. She then introduced the band members before calling on Sanchez to come out and meet his fans. The women screamed as Sanchez appeared at around 12.40 am, opening his set with "Praise Him."

For the next hour and more, Sanchez kept the people cheering, singing and dancing around as he slid from one hit to another from his expansive repertoire, which includes songs from more than 30 CD collections. Among the hits performed were "Loneliness", "Pass The Dutchie", "Ignition," "Your Love Is My Love," "I Can't Wait," "Never Dis A Man," "Leave Out A Babylon" and the runaway hit, "Frenzy," which created just such a reaction when performed.