Music taking over political rallies

He is not called the “Crowd Motivator” for nothing. Last Saturday at the Unity Labour Party’s 13th anniversary celebration in the Central Leeward town of Barrouallie, {{more}}veteran soca artiste Rondy “Luta” McIntosh made an impromptu appearance on stage, whipping the already amped up crowd into a frenzy.

“Now this was not planned. I wasn’t scheduled to perform, but I just couldn’t help it,” Luta told the frenzied crowd, just before launching into his song, the 2010 election campaign hit “I’m voting Ralph and Labour,” 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 “who dragged the sheep,” 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 ULP’s popular campaign tracks “Too far to turn back now,” which joined songs like “Keep the fire burning,” “Me and me neighbour (voting for labour),” “Show me your voting finger,” and “I’m impressed,” 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 “Ready for the road,” by Trinidad and Tobago soca star Bunji Garling as their theme song, to accompany their campaign slogan “We Ready.”