Amateurs and veterans meet at Up Next

Patrons were offered more than a showcase of up-and-coming performing artistes in Kingston at the Up Next mini-stage show held at Triple Century on Wednesday.

The show advertised nine performers in multiple genres, and the audience was given just that and then some. More so, mingling in the small crowd was a multitude of supporting local celebrities, including Chris Martin, Voicemail, Agent Sasco, and music executive Skatta Burrell.

Kicking off at around 9 p.m., the stage opened up with Jah Lil, who sang three original reggae songs, Siren, One Wrong, One Right, and Walk Good, inciting reactions from a few zealous patrons.

Trinidadian-Jamaican artiste Lia Caribe switched the vibe to dancehall, bringing along an energetic back-up dancer who wowed the small crowd.

Young reggae-rocksteady crooner D'Yani followed next, singing in tones reminiscent of vocalists like Martin and Romain Virgo.

His Give Away My Love stirred a positive response, with the audience catching the chorus and singing along.

The genre switched once more with the introduction of Jane MacGizmo, who sang her debut single Babylon, and her most recent effort, Too Late.

Where the previous acts performed to tracks, Indiggnation member Lila Ike then took to the stage, accompanied by a percussionist and a guitarist.

She delivered original work with Biggest Fan, Gotti Gotti and Sensimillia, before breaking down into a freestyle which appears characteristic of the young artiste's live presentations.

DBurnz also travelled with musicians, performing with two back-up vocalists, a percussionist and a bass guitarist.

His set included a remix of Wait in Vain, which ranged from reggae to dub poetry to dancehall.

Other performers of the night included dancehall artiste Khalia, conscious singer Alex A Game, Tosh Alexander, Kim Nain and Kemar Highcon.

Shawn Antoine closed the show singing his well-known songs Energy and I Love You. He also invited Lia Caribe to share a song, before inviting Craig of Voicemail to seal the deal with a cover of Shawn Mendes' Treat You Better.