No-Maddz continues support of live music

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Next Saturday, the SportsMax Zone will be transformed into a raggamuffin-meets-elegant setting as the No-Maddz performing arts group will be "celebrating the trod of live music from March til now".

All elements of the performing arts will be explored. However, this concert is more than just that. It is an event spanning five hours or more, where persons will be able to dance and celebrate positive music in a setting that has never experienced such an event.

Jah Cure and Courtney John will be lending their talent to the stage to foster and develop the movement of live music.

"The concert is in aid of the No-Maddz album movement, specifically the underground live music," explained Sheldon Shepherd, a group member.

The group explained that young live music was not getting the energy it deserved, so it decided to host its own show to highlight the elements of live music that makes it interesting and the talent that there is in Jamaica. The group also feels there is too much negativity attached to reggae music, and that live music is a perfect avenue to address that.

"This event is one of those attempts to bring a mass audience closer to live music. An audience which Jah Cure is a part of, being that he is one of the newest sounds of reggae," said Shepherd.

The group, which has been together for 10 years, said that since June, there had been eight shows, as part of a summer tour. That tour, the group explained, should become seasonal.

Interestingly, the group has pointed out that the concert will not have a VIP area, because the event was about tearing down boundaries.

The four members of the group, Shepherd, Christopher Gordon, Oneil Peart and Everaldo Creary play alongside a band known as the 'dihaadhaadban'.

Live music is the group's passion because, according to them, "If it nuh live, it dead."

"Lets us mek dis clear, is not a siddung ting. People need fi put on dem dancing shoes and dress Jamaican. Be yourself and come listen to some reggae, rock and roll music."

grandison.garfene@gleanerjm.com