Nu-soul maestro John Legend plays Cayman on Friday, 3 February, and it is an event of some repute.
The nine-times Grammy winner brings his classy piano-based oeuvre to Camana Bay for the first Live Lounge event of 2012. Promoter Andrew Brooks is excited about the prospect.
“This event is huge for Cayman,” he tells us.
“There hasn’t been anything of this level since Alicia Keys in 2009, so this really is massive, It really puts the Island back on the map in being able to show that it is now a strong option for any artist looking to hold a concert here.”
Main support is Bobby V, who tells Weekender he’s really looking forward to ‘the entire Cayman Islands experience.’ “The beautiful water, the food, the fans, everything. It’s my first time coming to Cayman so I’m very excited.
“I’m performing all my hits from Slow Down, to Pimpin All Over The World, Anonymous, Mrs. Officer – the list goes on. The people are gonna be in for a treat. The more love the fans show me while I’m on stage, the harder I go. I feed off the crowd’s energy.
“For people who haven’t seen my show before, they can expect real singing and a lot of energy.
“My band is supposed to be joining me for the concert. There’s nothing like performing with a live band, so the people in Cayman are going to get a chance to see me really perform. It’s going to be a intimate, soulful and memorable experience. I might not want to leave the Cayman Islands,” he tells us.
Also performing at the concert are local favourites Jeffrey Wilson and Stuart Wilson.
Huge potential
The Cayman Islands, Andrew tells us, has a huge amount of potential as a music hub.
“It is huge, we have great venues all over the Island, it is just a case of promoters using their connections, thinking in a clever way and putting events on that people want and need on the Island.
“Acts are drawn to the weather, its location, its people, its love for music and with the right artists, the chance to do something that hasn’t been done before. Not many big names have been here to perform so it is a chance for them to reach new markets and create new fans.”
Cayman is still a few years away from being a major player on the gig circuit, he muses, but with the recent Ministry of Sound warehouse party and John Legend, 2012 looks like a big year.
“Events of this level are only good for the Island. They bring new tourists, new investment to the Island and will only help the Islands and the people.
“We have a lot more to come; Ministry of Sound will be back later in the year, as will other branded events. We also have a legendary rock star lined up for the next Live Lounge, so Cayman and its people have a lot to be excited about.” Indeed so; the fun starts in the company of John Legend and friends.
John who?
John Legend was born 28 December, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio. He became an in-demand session musician and songwriter, working with such artists as Alicia Keys, Twista and Janet Jackson. He was soon introduced to up-and-coming hip-hop artist Kanye West, and the two musicians collaborated on one another’s demos. Legend’s debut album, 2004’s Get Lifted, won three Grammy Awards.
Born John Stephens, he was first given his Legend moniker by a friend, he says.
“I originally was given the name John Legend by a friend from Chicago because he thought I sounded so much like an old school artist. At first I thought it was funny to be called Legend but then a lot of my friends started calling me that and it really caught on.
“I knew it sounded a little presumptuous, but I figured it would definitely make me stand out from the pack,” he told reporters.
A true case of nominative determinism if ever we saw one… in other words, the name befits the career. Now Cayman has the opportunity to spend time in the company of one of the world’s greatest acts, at one of the greatest destinations in the world. Weekender will see you down the front.
John Legend Live Lounge is being produced in partnership with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Cayman Airways, Camana Bay, Budweiser, Vibe 98.9 FM, Spin, Coca-Cola, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, caymanboxoffice.com and Mercedes Benz.
Tickets are available from caymanboxoffice.com and cost $50 for general admission, $100 for stage front and $200 for VIP.
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