Photos by Martei Korley
If there’s one thing you can count on this summer, it’s that No-Maddz are going places. Easily one of the most talked-about live acts in Jamaica right now, the group will trod the US over the next few months, and the rest, we presume, will be history. Yes, we expect big, massive, game-changing things for this group, especially now that they have a great album produced by Sly and Robbie under their belt. (Not that we weren’t already on board—check our interview from 2011 and our “On The Move with Jamaica’s No-Maddz” webisode here).
In what was their first ever live performance in New York City, No-Maddz took over The Shrine in Harlem Sunday night, delivering an eclectic and electric show in a bongo band style. Technical difficulties were nothing to surmount, as the show picked up more and more energy as it went along. Lead singer Oneil Peart gave the ladies some “Romance,” while Sheldon Shepherd, Birdheye, Evie and new permanent member (and drummer) Upnah brought the upful vibes. The performance was the first of several dates they’ll be playing in the US this summer, including a big appearance at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California later this month. (You can also find them tomorrow at The Hotter than Ice fundraiser for the Jamaican Bobsled Federation at NYC’s Katra Lounge—who knows what they’ll get into there?)
Martei Korley was on hand Sunday, capturing the energy on stage and behind the scenes at The Shrine with his camera.
