Un Grand Cru at Caribana

As UB 40 closed their set with "Red Red Wine" on Friday night at Caribana, they rounded off an evening that was part of a vintage year of a festival. There was a variety of music on offer from the young and lively Tweek and Lovebugs, to the more mature but much appreciated UB 40. Stress from Switzerland proved to be very popular, and the lesser known but interesting bands from other countries such as Nneka attracted good sized crowds. Then there were the fun bands with fizz such as Madcon etc. Some of Friday night's concerts introduced a political message to their songs. Nneka, originally from Nigeria explained that V.I.P in one of her songs meant "Vagabond in Power", referring to "some leaders of some countries". Stress brought political messages to the stage too while attracting a massive crowd. UB 40, having recently got on board the "Hope not Hate" campaign bus in the UK in the recent European elections, have often been involved in putting various political messages across, but Friday night was more about their music. Vintage the band they may be, but proof that all good things mature with age. I had previously seen UB 40 in Santiago in Chile over 19 years ago, that concert was a disappointment for various reasons, a little bitter, not a good year. Thankfully some years are better than others, the group have mellowed and this concert was was smoother and full of flavour. To savour it and sip it in the company of thousands of dancing others alongside Lake Geneva made the taste only that much sweeter. I understand that Saturday night was an equally successful night and the concert of Charlie Winston was "the one" to be at. Sunday was hot and sunny, perfect for all the children that went to Caribana Kids to climb on the walls, jump on the bouncy castle and listen to their own concert by Gaetan. No political message here, just songs about hippopotami and elephants. A fun day rounding off a a vintage year, no doubt laid down in many memories for years to come. Check out the photos below and more in the Smilebox feature. Press play and wait a few seconds for them to load.