It has been four years since Drunken Monkey’s promoters first put on ‘Red Eye’. The main purpose of the fete was to provide a stage for Antigua’s major bands to perform their hits for the Carnival season. In 2006 the first Red Eye fete was held at Miller’s By The Sea located at the Fort James beach, and was well attended for a first year event. The by the beach location provided the right atmosphere that the promoters where hoping for. The event would begin around 10.00 in the evening and would go right down into the early morning. It was a regular occurance over the last few years for partygoers to be seen jamming up until 7.00 am the next morning. Breakfast would be available as the sun came up, with persons purchasing their saltfish and bread, while they drank bush tea hoping to help get the ‘red’ out of their eyes.

For this year event, Drunken Monkey decided to take the all night affair to the ARG (Antigua Recreation Ground). Many, including myself, were a bit apprehensive as to the new location. But for anyone that attended last year’s event, we knew it had to be done. There was no way that Miller’s By The Sea would be able to accommodate the number of persons that would be attending this now annual fete. You would think that such a drastic change in venue would kill the excitement that surrounded Red Eye, but that thought was proven wrong. Red Eye took the experience of an all night jam to a different level this year.

At 10.30 on Saturday July 18th, the ARG was already crowded with eager feters, excited about the evening’s upcoming event. As you walked unto the grounds you were greeted by a rock concert like atmosphere, as the well covered stage was surrounded by three giant big screens with bright spotlights, as soca music blasted through multiple large speakers. The drink tents were located one side, and food tents on the opposite side. You had to purchase $5.00 drink chits and then proceed to the drink tents, where it was next to no time before you got your drink. The food area was away from the partying crowd and allowed you to partake of your food without worry of being pushed as Soca played. If you got tired you had the option of making your way to the stands to sit and watch the stage and screen. But it was the music that really got the session started; the bands that played all left the crowd wanting more. Taxik began the night off with Soca Diva and reigning Soca Monarch champ Claudette ‘CP’ Peters doing her thing alongside her bandmate Mervyn ‘Sleepy’ Edwards. They began the night off setting the stage for what was going to be an all-nighter of sweet Soca. It was then time for Tian Winter, the new and fresh Antiguan talent, to take the stage to the loud cheers from the females in the audience. Singing his older hits ‘Heaven’ and ‘Shiny Eyes’, he worked the audience into frenzy. The icing on the cake came as he belted out his recent songs ‘Gimme A Taste’, ‘Bump n Grind’ and the up tempo hit ‘Soca Rebels’.

Tizzy and the El A Cru then took over giving the crowd a performance to be remembered. You could tell from persons singing in that they appreciated the glitz and glamour Tizzy’s performance brought to the night. Then ‘The Big Boss’ himself Iwer George reminded everyone in the grounds why he has been able to have and maintain such a long career in music. The crowd showed their love by ‘waving’ and ‘jumping’ at his command. He was backed by local band Lejah, as he shared the stage with the band’s own performers Byke, Jashan Hughes and Blade. Never to be outdone The Red Hot Flames took to the stage to bring the curtains down on a night that was worth the money you paid and more. It is known fact that Red Hot can work up any Antiguan crowd. Singing some old hits, new hits and even a Michael Jackson tribute segment, everyone jammed to their hearts content.

In the absence of the Dominican band WCK, who were unable to make it due to bad weather; I must say that Red Eye surpassed my expectations. The promoters have proven that they could make their show better without putting a strain on their patrons’ pockets. That is something that they should be commended for. I can’t wait for next year; I can’t help but wonder what will be in store for us.