Although torrential rain may have kept many people away from the Bermuda Music Festival on Friday night, the performances were excellent in spite of the inclement weather that abounded.

Due to the weather and not being sure of whether the concert would go along as planned I was delayed and I missed what I have heard was an excellent performance by The HomeGrown Band and North Carolina native Anthony Hamilton, who has been described as a master in the tradition of classic black music.

When I arrived it was drizzling and there were hundreds of people about with umbrellas up in defence of the weather.

Soul sensation India.Arie had just lit up stage and belted out one beautiful hit after another from her albums ? one being Acoustic Soul. The crowd went wild and as it rained she asked people to raise their umbrellas in recognition of a new rain dancing form ? the brolly dance.

She sang Talk To Her, Brown Skin, I am Not My Hair, and went back to the old and still meaningful Bob Marley classic Redemption Song. Viewing from the media tent, I saw crowds of umbrella covered fans explode when she performed Video. India.Arie?s performance made the trip to Dockyard more than worth it for me.

In between acts comedian Steve Harvey referred to India.Arie?s song Brown Skin ?as a song that just makes you want to touch yourself,? after coming on stage and singing his personal rendition.

He told joke after joke and had the crowd in stitches.

The performance of neo-soul artiste Charlie Wilson brought the audience to their feet again as they remembered many of his favourite tunes that were the epitome of 70s and 80s soul/funk.

You Light My Fire, Signs, Sweeter Than Candy and a host of other hits were the order of the evening.

He continued to sing even as the torrential rain fell, but was asked to cease before he could sing one of his trademark tunes Charlie, Last Name Wilson.

Unfortunately because of the weather he didn?t receive applause as the audience scrambled for shelter, the ferry, cars and other means of escape.

All in all from where I was standing ? and very wet I might add ? it was an excellent night and would love to have them back for a repeat performance.