The lately concluded 2026 Love & Concord Cruise — which made port calls in Nassau, Bahamas, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica — was a celebration of reggae, dancehall, spirituality, and, most significantly, connection amongst household and mates.
For singer Romain Virgo, the Love & Concord expertise was all the above — but additionally deeply private.
“It’s my second time,” he advised Caribbean Nationwide Weekly with a smile. “The primary time Beres Hammond joined me on stage,” he shared.
That second, performing alongside Hammond, stays one of many defining highlights of Virgo’s musical journey.
“He’s any individual that… you’ll be able to sit down with and discuss the complete night time till daylight,” Virgo shared. “He doesn’t should do what he’s doing for us, however it reveals there’s a deeper sort of love inside him.”
That sense of affection and legacy carried into Virgo’s Evening 2 efficiency on the Twelfth-floor deck, as he effortlessly moved via songs like ‘Critical Time,’ ‘Stick with Me,’ and ‘He Who Feels It,’ reminding followers why he stays considered one of reggae’s main voices of his technology.
“This seems like a household gathering,” he defined. “If we’re all right here on this stunning ship and we don’t join, take photos, hug, and dance, then it wouldn’t make sense. It’s about love and concord.”
Not like many artists who merely carry out after which disappear, Virgo totally immersed himself within the cruise expertise.
“I’m not simply right here to be Romain the artist, but additionally a fan,” he mentioned. “I need to study… I need to get pleasure from each single second of it.”
That humility resonated with followers all through the ship.
“He’s so humble,” mentioned cruise visitor Alicia Grant. “I noticed him simply strolling round on the events, taking photos, speaking to individuals like we’re all household.”
One other fan, Colin Beckford from Orlando, added, “When Romain performs, you are feeling it. However if you meet him, you respect him much more.”
Virgo’s philosophy stays rooted in respect for individuals who paved the best way.
“My objective from day one is to make the individuals who encourage me really feel proud,” he confessed. “Folks like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs… if we are able to carry it ahead the precise method, then our work is significant.”
That respect was evident throughout the cruise, notably through the “All White Live performance,” the place Beres Hammond as soon as once more proved why he stays related after greater than 4 a long time within the business. The “Boss” glided via timeless hits together with ‘Rockaway,’ ‘In Love with You,’ ‘What One Dance Can Do,’ ‘She Loves Me Now,’ and ‘Step Apart.’ He additionally thrilled followers with ‘Tempted to Contact,’ ‘Golden Contact,’ ‘Double Hassle,’ and ‘Placing Up Resistance.’ His teenage grandson, Kingston Pauyo, additionally impressed with ‘As Lengthy because the Solar Shines.’
Maxi Priest proved that, like fantastic wine, he continues to get higher with age. The UK-born singer delivered a number of hits, incomes rapturous applause with ‘Groovin within the Midnight,’ ‘Ought to I,’ ‘Wild World,’ and ‘Home Name,’ carried out alongside DJ New Kidz. Busy Sign energized followers with ‘Step Out,’ ‘Keep So,’ and ‘Jamaica Love.’
Agent Sasco, celebrating 25 years in music, delivered a robust set and briefly shared the stage with Virgo. Different standout performances got here from Tanya Stephens, who turned up the dancehall warmth with ‘It’s a Pity,’ ‘These Streets,’ ‘Yuh Nuh Prepared Fi Dis But,’ ‘Goggle,’ and ‘Deal with the Journey.’ Pinchers took patrons again to the Nineteen Eighties with classics together with ‘I’m A Don,’ ‘Sit Down Pon It,’ ‘Bandelero,’ ‘Request to Denise,’ and ‘Champion Bubbler.’
