Maxi Priest has described his upcoming performance during the America’s Cup in Bermuda as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

The reggae, soul and pop artist has followed previous America’s Cup races and looks forward to taking in some of the events and sailing action when he is offstage.

He is due to perform tomorrow night with his old stage mate Shaggy as part of the America’s Cup Jam at number one car park along with a handful of local artists.

The singer, whose real name is Max Elliott, told The Royal Gazette: “I had heard of the America’s Cup before and watched quite a few of these events on TV.

“It is amazing really when you see these guys operate these boats ... it’s like, wow! It’s magnificent.

“And to get the opportunity to see it from the inside is also amazing — I got to go to the headquarters to see how they are running everything and saw the amount of people involved; it’s fabulous.

“I am staying for the next couple of days to be able to experience the event. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so take it.”

Maxi, a British-born artist with Jamaican roots, is best known for his hit song, Close to You, which reached number one on the American Billboard charts, making him the first British reggae act to do so.

He is also known for Wild World and That Girl which he released with Shaggy in 1996.

Maxi has been visiting Bermuda for years — he once performed at the wedding of Bermuda national team cricketer Janeiro Tucker — and has spent the past couple of days catching up with old friends around the Island.

”I have a lot of friends and beautiful people here. I have been coming here for many, many years — they are like family.”

He was last on the Island in 2012 when he performed at the John Lennon Concert organised by Tony Brannon. He performed a song especially for the concert — a cover of The Beatles’ All My Loving.

His Bermuda gig comes close to the end of a year of touring, including dates in the UK and US.

Asked what we can look forward to during the America’s Cup Jam, Maxi said: “We are going to have a ball. When you come to a Maxi Priest concert it’s about letting your hair down, enjoying yourself and partying.

“We always try to have the audience participate.

“We are blessed to have songs that are familiar to folks so they may sing along, shout or scream.

“That’s the beauty of live — you give of yourself and hopefully you get a good response.”

He said he will be performing music from throughout his career including songs from his most recent album Easy To Love.

The concert opens at the number one car park with The Kings at 7.30pm followed by Maxi Priest, Spice and Company and Shaggy. The evening will be co-hosted by Nadanja and Uzimon.

Tickets to the concert are $100 and there are VIP tickets available for $300. Gates open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.