What was supposed to be a routine explanation about an injured leg became one of the most unforgettable moments of Beres Hammond’s Mother’s Day concert at UBS Arena last night.
The reggae icon, performing at times seated on a couch because of a left leg injury, transformed what could have been a failed engagement into a masterclass in humor and connection with fans.
Thousands of diehard reggae fans had packed the UBS Arena for the Jammins Event-produced Mother’s Day concert, with some coming from New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia and as far as Washington, DC, for a performance featuring Romain Virgo, Stephanie Mills, Lady Da Flame and Hammond as the undisputed headliner. But as fans noticed the lovers rock king’s bandaged ankle and saw him sitting on a couch, curiosity quickly spread.
Beres addressed it head-on.
“Wah gwaan family?” he asked to thunderous applause.
Then, with his trademark gratitude, he reminded fans why nights like these still matter to him.
“You all know that I’ve loved you from then till now because you gave me a platform for me to sing and I will never forget that. You are the ones responsible for my existence.”
Noticing fans eyeing his injured foot, Hammond smiled.
“Me see some people a take picture. Dem a look pon mi foot. But there is a story behind this. Do you want to hear it?”
The arena answered with an emphatic yes. And then came the confession.
“Looking forward to Mother’s Day, I was planning that I wanted to give the mothers and the ladies a different approach on stage,” he explained.
“So I said to myself, let me do a new dance… because you know, I can’t dance still.”
That alone drew laughter. But Beres wasn’t finished.
“The dance that I was planning is… you have to do a flip. You know, like flip forward. At my age it kind of looks stupid. But anyways, I said I’m going to do it for all the ladies.”
The crowd roared. Then came the punchline that sent the arena into hysterics.
“In mid-air, me totally forget whether it’s front flip or back flip!”
More laughter followed.
“I never had a plan!” he confessed.
It was vintage Beres — the consummate performer. As always, he was playful and charismatic.
Even through the injury, the reggae legend delivered a polished, hit-filled performance, proving that even a couch could not diminish his command of the stage. The intimate couch setup became a central part of his storytelling and performance, with some of his chosen friends joining him throughout the night.
The moment peaked when Beres invited “Love Doctor” Romain Virgo to join him for a therapeutic session that included Virgo crooning “Mi Caan Sleep” and “Feel Good” — with five backup singers and the band in tow. Truth be told, it felt less like a guest appearance by Romain and more like a symbolic passing-of-the-torch conversation with the former Digicel Rising Stars alumnus.
Virgo — whose soulful delivery, ever-growing catalogue of love ballads, command of the stage, and dedication to craft and discipline have drawn comparisons to Hammond — graciously shared the couch with his mentor. It was a “Moment in Time” that sparked conversations and whispers among fans and music insiders in the house.
Is Romain Virgo the heir apparent to Beres Hammond’s lovers rock palace? It’s a lofty comparison. However, it no longer feels far-fetched.
Dancehall’s “Continent Boss” Nigy Boy, who is making headlines for the release of “Hill & Gully,” also joined the dialogue and sing-along on the couch. Between the chatter, Nigy delivered an emotional performance of Kenny Rogers’ cover of “Write Your Name (Across My Heart).” His short but emotional performance earned rapturous applause and added another layer to the night’s musical diversity.
Then came another deeply personal family moment as Hammond’s grandson, Kingston, joined him on the couch, giving the audience a touching glimpse into the singer’s legacy beyond music. Young Kingston crooned “No Goodbye” from Beres’ 2008 album A Moment in Time.
By the end of the night, Hammond had treated fans to a rich catalogue of classics including “Rockaway,” “In Love With You,” “What One Dance Can Do,” “She Loves Me Now,” “No Disturb Sign,” “Step Aside,” “Tempted to Touch,” “Golden Touch,” “Double Trouble” and “Putting Up Resistance.”
A failed flip may have caused injury to Beres Hammond’s left leg, but it certainly did not stop him. His performance proved that even seated, the king of lovers rock still knows exactly how to sweep the ladies off their feet.
