Music taking over political rallies
He is not called the âCrowd Motivatorâ for nothing. Last Saturday at the Unity Labour Partyâs 13th anniversary celebration in the Central Leeward town of Barrouallie, {{more}}veteran soca artiste Rondy âLutaâ McIntosh made an impromptu appearance on stage, whipping the already amped up crowd into a frenzy.
âNow this was not planned. I wasnât scheduled to perform, but I just couldnât help it,â Luta told the frenzied crowd, just before launching into his song, the 2010 election campaign hit âIâm voting Ralph and Labour,â one of the many campaign anthems released by the ULP.
Luta came on stage moments after another artiste and ULP entertainer Shanelle Nanton performed a political satire entitled âwho dragged the sheep,â to the satisfaction of the crowd.
McIntosh and Nanton are two of the local entertainers who have contributed to the political entertainment scene with catchy tunes that are played and sung at political meetings.
Nanton, in 2010, sang one of the ULPâs popular campaign tracks âToo far to turn back now,â which joined songs like âKeep the fire burning,â âMe and me neighbour (voting for labour),â âShow me your voting finger,â and âIâm impressed,â as popular campaign anthems.
The addition of musical interludes during presentations by speakers on the podium has also become a staple at political rallies, with DJs playing supporting tracks at intervals.
The crowd drawing strategy is also used by regional and international political parties.
This year the New Democratic Party has adopted the song âReady for the road,â by Trinidad and Tobago soca star Bunji Garling as their theme song, to accompany their campaign slogan âWe Ready.â