'Awesome' was the word used by so many in the audience during and after Beyoncé's performance.

The young superstar thrilled the audience at the National Sports Centre with the type of show one would expect to see in London or New York.

The multiple Grammy Award winner opened her performance with "Crazy In Love". The popular hit was followed by an onslaught of songs – from her solo career and from her years as a member of the successful R&B trio Destiny's Child.

Throughout the night, Beyoncé, along with her female and male dancers, strutted her stuff in well-choreographed moves. Her all-woman band brought the usually sedate local audience to its feet – in a word, it was hot!

Bass guitarist Destiny brought Jimi Hendrix to mind, while Beyonce's drummer and backup singers were equally as impressive.

The dance routines boasted a global repertoire – Bosso Nova, Salsa, Reggae, Dance Hall, Bhangra, Hip Hop and Soca. Even classical Indian dance hand gestures were neatly tossed in.

The superstar entered the dark stage through a cloud of smoke as fireworks and sparklers descended in the background. And she was undeterred by the rain, which stopped as her performance got underway.

The theatrics were then pushed aside as, throughout her performance, Beyonce joked with her band members and the audience – insisting that they just weren't singing loud enough – sang a tune that was Bermuda-specific, and taught Soca steps to all who were willing to take part.She then thanked the Bermudian audience for being so gracious.

And the crowd responded, running as close as possible to the front of the stage before they were halted by Police and security guards. A typical concert attitude here – 'Oh, I won't dance today, I'm just going to sit in my numbered seat!' – was thrown aside. The audience clearly wanted to be near Beyonce, to step to her music as she was on The Rock performing it.

She also performed "Beautiful Liar", "Dangerously In Love" and "B'DAY". She looked as if she would cry during "Flaws And All"and "Baby Boy" and through every song, showed an incredible range both in genre and style.

Ms Knowles is unlike any other performer that I have witnessed on our shores when it came to presentation, stage presence, chorography, and of course, her fabulous voice.

However, the performances throughout the night were stellar. Singing for Success finalist Canjelae Tucker wowed the audience with her performance of "I'm Free" and "I Used to Love Him".

Following her on the main stage was the Bermuda Mass Choir. A blending of 80 individuals from several denominations, it reminded the audience about some of the basic principals of true love most notably during Tracey Edwards' performance of "Never Would Have Made It".

Next up was Solange Knowles, Beyonce's sister. Dressed in a yellow, purple and black baby doll dress, she sang songs from her latest album. She may well be like Janet Jackson, who had a famous sibling and whose first performances and music met with mixed reviews. With tenacity and determination however, Ms Jackson managed to become one of the most popular singers of the day, and Solange is on the same path.

After Ms Knowles' performance, the audience heard from Lyfe Jennings. He wowed the audience. So much so, that it got jaded members of the media out of the press tent for a better view as he sang hits including "S-E-X", "Cops Up" and "Wild Wild Wild".

Local troupe United Dance Productions came on during the break. UDP director Suzette Harvey should be proud of these youngsters'. Their performance was excellently choreographed and they danced as if they enjoyed it.

Emcee Bill Belamy entertained the audience with jokes that ranged from American politics to Tampax ads.

Hats off to Rock Newman of Gibraltar Promotions, David and Sancha Durham of Yoshi Productions, the Department of Tourism and everyone else who had a hand in making the second night of the Bermuda Music Festival '08 a tremendous success.