 | | 10,000+ islanders flocked to West Park. Photo: AdC |
A staggering 10,000 islanders headed to West Park on Saturday evening for a giant party complete with live musical acts and culminating in one of Jersey鈥檚 largest ever fireworks display. As always 大象传媒 Jersey was in the midst of the action to take photographs and let you know what we thought of what must be one of Jersey鈥檚 biggest free events in recent years. Jackson Moody Band
 | | Jackson Moody Band |
As the only representative of local music at the party this Jersey collective proved once again that the island has plenty of musical talent worthy of sharing a stage with the good and the great of the pop world. The four-piece reggae-inspired group opened the free event with a set of original and funky summery tunes. Perhaps if the weather had been miserable this choice of act might not have gone down so well; but as the sun set spectacularly over the Noirmont headland and the crowd swayed to the Jackson Moody Band鈥檚 unique sunny sound, you couldn鈥檛 help but think that summer wasn鈥檛 quite over yet. As the majority of the early evening crowd consisted of younger families and teenagers it was a great opportunity for those who might not usually be found at live gigs in the pubs and clubs of St. Helier to experience a taste of the local music scene.听听 Big Brovaz
 | | Big Brovaz |
By the time the second act of the night, UK hip-hop group Big Brovaz, burst onto the stage the crowd at Peoples Park had swelled into the thousands. Probably most famous for their hit 鈥楩avourite Things鈥, which sampled the classic Sound of Music song, only instead of raindrops on roses its 鈥渂uy me diamonds and rubies, I鈥檓 crazy 鈥榖out Bentleys鈥, Big Brovaz were perhaps a risky choice for the predominantly family audience. However, it proved to be a popular choice and despite hip-hop generally being the penchant of the young, it seemed that all ages were enjoying their set; I spotted more than one grandparent punching the air and hollering along to the rappers.听 Previously six, but now down to just four 鈥榖rovaz鈥, I was pleasantly surprised by their performance; they were full of energy managed to get the whole crowd on their feet and cheering along.听 The Commitments
 | | The Commitments |
Describing themselves as 鈥渢he hardest working band in the world鈥 and hailing from the 1991 film of the same name, the Commitments had an astonishingly large catalogue of songs that everyone knew the words to. A complete contrast to the previous artists Big Brovaz (no bling in sight for these Irish veterans of pop) karaoke favourites like 鈥楳ustang Sally鈥 and 鈥業n the Midnight Hour鈥 were belted out with great gusto. The crowd continued to grow in size as a different age-group of people began to wander down from the Beer Festival on neighbouring West Park to see what all the fuss was about. West Park, and by now a large portion of Victoria Avenue, was a sea of waving hands and smiling faces as young and old, friends and family, enjoyed what really can only be described as a party atmosphere, and where an inch of room could be found to do so people had a jolly good dance. Danii Minogue
 | | Danii Minogue. Photo: Andy de Castro |
It was a tough ask for this Australia songstress to follow two such enthusiastic and energetic acts, but arriving admist clouds of smoke and accompanied by a troupe of dancers Danii Minogue really put on a show for the now 10,000 strong crowd. Despite being strikingly petite she managed to fill the arena with her stage presence and sense of performance, and by the loud chorus of 鈥渨e want Danii鈥 erupting from in front of the stage it seemed that her set was thoroughly enjoyed. Prior to the evening I admit that I struggled to name one of Danii鈥檚 hits so was surprised to find myself joining in with more of her songs than not. And for those I was not familiar with there was plenty of foot tapping and clapping to be done to the catchy tunes. Fireworks
 | | Fireworks. Photo: Andy de Castro |
Having been hyped up by the numerous Channel 103 presenters acting as comperes for the party I was braced for disappointment when it came to the fireworks. However I was wrong and the impressive display of flashes and bangs easily lived up to the build-up of being called 鈥榦ne of Jersey鈥檚 largest ever firework displays鈥. As much as I tell myself, and indeed other people, that once you鈥檝e seen one firework you鈥檝e seen them all, Saturday鈥檚 display reminded me just how mesmerising fireworks are. There is something a little magical about the splashes of brilliant light and colour, especially against the spectacular back drop of black skies and Elizabeth Castle. Was it worth it?
 | | Two of the 10,000 party-goers. |
Even if none of the musical offerings were to your taste it was well worth paying a visit to West Park on Saturday night, the atmosphere and buzz alone was an enough to make it worthwhile. It was fantastic to see so many families with young children, grandmas and grandpas enjoying themselves dancing and singing alongside the youths and teenagers of the island (who lets face it sometimes have a bit of a bad reputation with some of these people). A big free party that everyone鈥檚 invited to was a perfect way to finish off a summer that鈥檚 been packed full of fantastic entertainment, here鈥檚 to hoping that someone can find an excuse to throw another one soon! | 
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