If the 2026 Richard Stoute Over-21 semi-finals is any indication of how the finals will be, patrons are in for a show at CARIFESTA House in Waterford, St Michael, come on October 31.
Thirteen singers went before the judges on Sunday night hoping to be called among the chosen ten. After the presentation of medals to all the contestants, emcee Carl Padmore revealed the qualifiers. They are Crystal Hope, Lisa Hackett, Tarique Griffith, Dave Cumberbatch, Kayla Alleyne, Malik Stuart, Shaquan Smith, Javed Forde, Weslon Samuels and Jaleesa Greaves.
Keonai Walker, Bentley Jones and Kiara Hinckson did not advance. All of the contenders should be familiar with the criteria – voice, rendition, points, diction, clarity, stage presence, technical skills, originality and creativity – having gone from preliminary to present. If there is one performer to watch it would be Lisa Hackett. She was a tower of vocal power and conviction with her rendition Any One by Demi Lovato, and she dropped a bombshell with a social commentary calypso called What’s Left For We.
Griffith, a Baje To The World champion, has the singing pedigree to claim the title. There is no disputing his tone and pleasant voice. Will he also surprise us with an adjustment of semi-final songs from Dance My Father and So Amazing?
Knowing and executing are critical on the given night. Nothing beats a well-toned voice, understanding the lyrics, not losing the mood and meaning of the song as an excuse for “owning” it. If there is a concern, it’s the contestants’ tendency to over-vocalise. Originality – unless it’s your product – must be seen in the context of vocal tricks but not in changing the essence of the song. And that is where the outcome really becomes unpredictable. In spite of these considerations, all eyes will also be on the likes of ‘Soul/R&B’ singers Stuart, Smith and Samuels; the inspirational acts of Greaves, Cumberbatch, Alleyne and Forde, along with Hope.
A live band was again on hand to back the singers, but at times the levels were too high. (JS)
The post Patrons treated to lively semi-finals appeared first on nationnews.com.