Words and images by Libby Smith
Last week, amidst the wet and windy weather, some huge names graced the Lloyds amphitheatre for a night of electrifying dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop which shook the city. Talented artists such as Eva Lazarus, Laid Blak, and the Heartless Crew truly set the scene for an incredible night, headlined by the one and only Sean Paul.
The sold-out event filled up quickly as the DJ duo ‘See no Evil’ echoed around the amphitheatre, providing funky vibes to those exploring the venue and preparing for the night ahead. After their lively set, Laid Blak took over for an hour of incredible beats and bars. Laid Blak, the reggae/hip-hop duo, truly represent what Bristol is, and the music that has derived from the city’s roots in ska and reggae. Seeing them light up a crowd is always a pleasure. They were the perfect support act for one of the biggest dancehall artists of all time.
A few hours in, and the weather was doing little to dampen the night ahead. Despite the challenging weather, Eva Lazarus embraced the stage with her incredible energy and enthusiasm. Her powerful vocals cut through the raindrops, captivating the audience and bringing the summer vibes. Performing her classics, such as Amsterdam, the whole crowd erupted into song and dance whilst eagerly awaiting the star of the night. Her magical stage presence resulted in some incredible photos that I have been excited to share.
The main stage wasn’t the only one delivering exceptional energy that night. The smaller stage, Peachin, tucked between the food vans, hosted an incredible line-up of local DJs that helped keep the dancing going throughout every step of the venue. But as time went on, the crowds flooded to the main arena to witness what we’d all come for.
As I made my way into the Press Pit for the final time that night, the anticipation was higher than ever, and the crowd behind me was waiting eagerly for the stage to light up. Within minutes, the venue erupted into screams as the variety of musicians began to hype up the crowd, and before long, Sean Paul burst onto the stage with the same energy and vigor he had in the 2000s.
The next hour was classic after classic, with the entire audience singing along and bouncing relentlessly to some of his biggest songs, like 'No Lie' and 'Like Glue'. It was clear that he knew how to keep energy levels high, just like he did in his prime. His energy, combined with the captivating dancers and pyrotechnics, made for an incredible show.
Despite having an amazing time and ticking a gig off my bucket list, I felt slightly uncomfortable with Paul constantly addressing the ‘Bristol Ladies’ and the sexual undertones. However, this is how he built his empire and persona, similar to many artists in the 2000s. Given that it was an over-18 event, it was somewhat expected. I did feel bad watching the security try to get audience members to stop sitting on shoulders, only to be told to get back up by Sean Paul himself and ‘take their tops off’ (again, pretty expected).
Overall, the combination of these talented artists made for a beautiful night of music, unaffected by the weather. Each artist brought their unique styles of dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop to the harbourside, leaving the audience with good vibes and great memories. The energy throughout the evening never faltered, and it was certainly an experience I’m glad I could be a part of.
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