perform at Tiger Bay, organisers said.

Mr. Edward DeMello claimed Saturday's 6,000-strong crowd was the biggest he had seen in four years of putting on the concert.

"It was a huge success,'' he claimed.

On the subject of profits, Mr. DeMello remained tight-lipped.

"You shouldn't get into that type of thing,'' he said. "You shouldn't get into dollars and cents.'' Tickets were $45.

Soca star Lee was also delighted with the turnout.

"Last night was one of the finest,'' he said, the day after the show. "It was one of the most successful.'' Mr. Lee, known for his distinctive soca tunes and lyrics and with a significant local following, admitted he feared Bermudians might stay home this year.

"I heard when I arrived a lot of people were under stress and tension because of the referendum. I thought a lot wouldn't go out because they were brooding at home. Instead I think they used last night to ease the tension,'' he said.

The crowd, he added, was a great "pot pourri'' of people with young children, elderly people and women in particular enjoying the music.

In St. George's Harbour 50 to 60 boats bobbed about packed with dancing people. Meanwhile the hill overlooking the venue was alive with soca fans.

"I think Bermudians really enjoyed themselves peacefully and with no problems,'' Mr. Lee said.

Asked why he returns to Bermuda year after year, Mr. Lee claims Bermuda and the Cayman Islands are his favourite islands.

"Bermuda reminds me of Jamaica 25 years ago,'' said the Jamaican-born entertainer. "The other islands are in a lot of trouble with violence and intimidation. My boys love it down here. They say they'll take a cut in pay if they can stay for longer.'' Mr. Lee is leaving today for a six-month tour of Canada, Mexico and the United States. And although he says he may not be able to make it back the same time next year he has promised to return to what is becoming an Cup Match annual event.

St. George's, he says, remains one of his favourite venues because of its atmosphere and proximity to the sea.

"The atmosphere of St. George's is the best,'' he said.

Mayor of St. George's Mr. Henry Hayward said apart from those who lived in the immediate vicinity of Tiger Bay and who bore the brunt of the noise, the corporation had received relatively few complaints.

Concert organisers boosted the regular St. George's Police presence with additional security and employed a clean-up team to blitz the area the following morning.

"The organisers have been very responsible and have done a good job,'' Mr.

Hayward said.