The Cup Match holiday has always been a vibrant celebration of all things good about Bermuda: people, sun, sports, food, fun and music. Recently, the pre-Cup Match concert especially, has become a staple, and what a staple!

The 2008 concert was billed as the "Best of Both Worlds'' and featured two of the world's very best purveyors of their respective genres. Now, history and culture have always dictated that the overwhelming musical themes of any Bermuda summer will be well rooted in Reggae and Soca, so the big show was easy to put together.

The headliners were Beenie Man and Shurwayne Winchester, and this show was well worthy of a Cup Match eve bashment. Energy was high throughout, the setting (Snorkel Park) was ample and impressive, and the opening act of Cup Match 2008 was a massive success by all accounts.

The show started at around 11.15 p.m., when Bermuda Idol Laritta Adderly took the grand stage and delivered two powerful vocal pieces to the delight of the early partiers. By this time, the crowd was floating right around 1,000 people, but that would later double (at least!).

Ramon Clarke was the next local to bless the stage. Clarke delivered a classy set that included a stirring rendition of his smash hit "That Thing You Have'', to the utter glee of the ladies in attendance.

Bermuda's next international superstar, Troy Anthony, serenaded the swelling crowd next, performing a solid set that featured crisp vocals, instantly recognisable hits, and plenty of gleaming Bermudian smiles! Anthony rounded out one of the most exciting local line-ups this reporter has seen at a concert for some time. The quality was palpable throughout the local portion of the show, and the Bermudian crowd poured adoration on their own in a way that would warm even the coldest of hearts. MCs Vybez Alliance and Fully skilfully entertained the crowd between acts, and set up the now 2,000-plus crowd perfectly for Beenie Man to come on and knock them for six.

Beenie took the stage sometime close to midnight, and immediately swung for the fences. He covered timeless hits like "Murderah'', "Romie'', "Bookshelf'', "Slam'', and "Who am I?" with flair and precision, and gyrated and gesticulated all over the stage, working the crowd into an absolute frenzy!

By the time the majestic "King of the Dancehall" dropped, there was nary an argument to be heard; Beenie was very much the King of the dance that night. He delivered an exhausting 50-or-so minute set, and left the crowd breathless.

Shurwayne had quite a lot to do, and did not open his set particularly well. He actually stopped to address the crowd with, "Are you tired?" at one point. The question was rhetorical, and no self respecting concert crowd would admit to being tired at the start of a performer's set, but in truth, they were. Beenie had been irresistible, and much of the revellers' customary Soca energy had been spent trying to keep up with the irrepressible Mr. Moses Davis.

Shurwayne worked his way in gently though, delivering an unexpected slow medley, which had the crowd standing in place. The struggle continued for a while, with all parties seeming to be marking time until around 2.30 a.m., when Shurwayne decided that it was time to bring the fire!

By now the crowd had found its second wind, and the energy level picked up considerably! Shurwayne started the bacchanal part of his set by passing bottles of water out to the crowd standing closest to the stage. Then the music blasted in, the water bottles started to wave, and, three minutes later, the entire front section was wet. From that moment on, the crowd was his to do with what he pleased.

The former Road March King then delivered the enormous international hits "Dead or Alive (Still We Comin')" and "Open de Gate'', which absolutely exhilarated the crowd, and thoroughly silenced at least one fans call to "Bring back Beenie Man''. That's quite a funny story actually: there was a fella at the upstairs bar vehemently calling for Beenie Man to return when Shurwayne was struggling. Once Shurwayne hit his stride, however, the shouting stopped and the dancing began; go figure!

That was perhaps the story of the entire evening; there was a modicum of dissatisfaction rumbling through the large crowd, but in the end, no one will tell you that they didn't enjoy this show. And if they do tell you that they didn't enjoy it, just stop trying to please them, because it might well be impossible. One last detail of note was the stunning sound system used at this show. Sound was nothing short of awesome on Wednesday night, and the folks at Hott 107.5 ought to be very proud of their ongoing campaign to raise entertainment standards in Bermuda. Kudos on a job well done folks, and congratulations on producing another summer blockbuster!