As one of the marquee private events on the Crop Over calendar, Awaken Ultra Premium officially ushered in the season’s festivities, and it did not disappoint. Despite showers the day before threatening to dampen spirits, the sun came out in full force on the event morning, setting the tone for a high-energy all-inclusive fête.
The organisers opted for a two-hour delay in the start of the fete, held in the scenic Mango Orchard at the National Botanical Gardens, but the crowd was unfazed.
By sunrise, partygoers decked out in vibrant colours were ready to soak up the vibes.
The event’s visual presentation was stunning, with rich hues of red and orange setting the backdrop for a beautiful morning. A major standout was the thoughtfully arranged food setup conveniently located under one tent. From scrambled eggs and omelette stations to buljol, waffles, breakfast potatoes, mini ham cutters, and quesadillas, there was no shortage of mouth-watering options. The patrons’ only dilemma? Deciding what to eat first.
As for the drinks — chef’s kiss. Signature cocktails flowed freely, alongside mocktails for those skipping the alcohol. A charming snocone cart, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options was a crowd favourite and a relief on the hot day.
On the entertainment front, Awaken delivered full value. DJ duo Niqo Vybez and Gunner warmed up the early crowd, followed by high-energy sets from Hutchy and Sizz, and Salt and Don, who kept the tempo rising.
Soca royalty Edwin The General Yearwood took the stage shortly after 10 a.m., drawing the crowd in with a medley of favourites like Wet Me, Yardie, Sak Pase, and his 2025 release Ah Coming Fuh You.
Grenadian artiste V’ghn was a surprise addition to the lineup and charmed the crowd with his performances of Explore, Trinidad Sweet, Trouble in the Morning, and a heartfelt tribute to his late mentor Blaxx with Gyal Owner.
Fan favourites Leadpipe and Saddis closed things off with a powerful, wellreceived set. The duo ran through beloved hits like Ah Feeling, Condense, and Ben Up, while energising the crowd with their new releases Ms Lady and Tek Charge. They even brought out Shaquille GFG for a quick but hype performance of Asphalt.
While Awaken continues to be one of Crop Over’s most anticipated and well-executed events, patrons did note one critique — a noticeable absence of newer Bajan music throughout the sets. As the season heats up, many hope to hear more fresh local sounds in the mix. (CJ)
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