The first time the power to the stage failed at Friday night's Spring Bling, held at the Constant Spring Football Field, the crowd did not seem particularly perturbed.

And the person who was then onstage, Leaf of Life, continued performing after the power was restored five minutes later, MC Sample Man's unamplified voice carrying surprisingly well as he continued to crack jokes in the interim.

Two hours later, though, when the power went for the third or fourth time at 4:00 a.m. during Capleton's performance, the crowd seemed to have had enough. "Mi gone a my yard. When Beenie Man come it a go chip out 42 time, cause Beenie Man a more energy god dan Capleton," one man complained loudly, to general amusement.

And many seemed to agree, as they streamed out of the venue onto Constant Spring Road, St Andrew, THE STAR among those calling it a night. Each time the light and sound failed it was clear that it wasn't a general power cut, as there were still lights all around the venue as well as on the main road.

'Big Guns'

Spring Bling was just about to move into the 'big guns' segment when the power cuts became just too many, the Ruff Kut band on the stand and Vybz Kartel and Bounty Killer among those slated to perform.


Mr Vegas gave a good performance before the power went.

Despite some popular performers and a fair-sized crowd, Spring Bling had not been a particularly outstanding show up to that point, Konshens with Rasta Imposter and Vegas (alternating with Mr Lexx, who appealed especially to the women at the front of the stage), who closed with I am Blessed among those who roused the audience.

Andrew and Wada Blood's hustling songs struck a chord with some sections of the audience, which reacted when they took a swipe at Deva Bratt. Fantan Mojah took swipes at the Raging Fire band, as did Lutan Fyah (the latter in a more encouraging manner), Mojah's best moments coming with Stronger and a closing medley which included Mama Hungry.

Natural Black alternated between grit and croon at will, putting in the new Babylon a Burn among older material such as It Nice and Far From Reality. Lutan Fyah had the audience cheering as he declared "yu face a no suppen fi siddung inna".

Then after Konshens, whose Winner also scored well, and the winning combination of Vegas and Mr Lexx, there was a change to Ruff Kut and Capleton. Then, as the 'Fire Man' was into a retro phase with Lotion, Spring Bling went poof.