Starting off the evening was the up-and-coming local music sensation, Rayon Nelson, who took to the stage with his band; drummer Kingsley Mensah, guitarist Roger Eyre, bass player Emanuel Esoko and backing vocalists Clair Marshall and Joanne Luwero. Rayon played a set of five soulful, self-written songs. Each song was clearly a tribute to his Christian faith and a testament to his musical ability. The fusion of jazzy beats and gospel vocals grasped the audience’s attention and set a chilled out ambiance for the beginning of the evening.

Once Rayon had finished mesmerizing the audience, The Stow took centre-stage. Despite being stuck in a car for two hours, The Stow came to the stage full of energy, which soon caught alight in the audience, who went from clapping and swaying to the soulful Rayon Nelson to jumping around in time to the fast mix of indie and hip hop beats of the well-known London band. The amazing guitar skills of Matt and powerful vocals from Shi and Haydn mixed with the strong, steady rhythms from bass player Dave and drummer Gus, created the perfect Friday night tonic. The band played a half hour set full of their own upbeat creations including You Don’t Know Me, deemed “a hit” by VV Brown and just about everyone in the Steamboat that night.
 
Once The Stow had warmed up the audience, headliners Millionaires By Morning lifted the crowd even further with a set full of funky hip-hop beats including old favourites such as Iron Man and Dirty Heels. The funky beats created by DJ Shumz, Ryan-Jason Simmonds, Lloyd Willis Turnbull and Perry Spalding got the crowd moving and singing along with the smooth vocals of local singer Carnell Cook and YouTube celebrity Booda French. True to tradition Booda French did some freestyle, reminding everyone why he is a local legend. The band ended their set and the evening by performing a few perfectly tuned covers including Common and Dr Dre’s No Diggity.

The evening was a promotion of the amazing local talent that is out there and a perfect way to start the weekend. LH