LIVE at the Bacardi Triangle

Puerto Ricans are known for three things; rum, music and dance and these traits were glaring when Pulse recently pitched camp on the Island for a three-day epic Bacardi Triangle event, which is arguably one of the most exclusive music festivals in the world.

After more than 20 hours on the plane and three connecting flights, Pulse lands on the island and is welcomed at the exotic El Conquistador Resort. As we stroll towards the hotel reception, two gorgeous Puerto Rican lasses receive us with a bottle of rum. At this point we can hear dazzling electronic mixes from a distance.

Over the Halloween weekend, Bacardi invited 1862 guests from 22 cities around the world, including big wigs in entertainment, media and sports circles.

Interestingly, showbiz bigwigs from London, New York and Los Angeles arrived in three chartered jets.

The organisers’ during a press briefing would affirm that music travel adventure is the in thing in established entertainment hubs around the world. They argued that many party goers are today more demanding and want something more than just stage performances.

To set the right mood for the final day performances by singing sensational Ellie Goulding, Grammy award-winning DJ Calvin Harris and hip hop icon Lamer Kendrick, were two days of pool parties at three different venues each happening at the same time at the expansive resort. The guests had options to either party by the beachfront or on the mainland by the pool.

The weekend (Saturday) would later culminate with guests being whisked by thematic boat directly to a private, Caribbean island in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle.

This island was particularly important for the gig as it is among the most expensive islands to lease and is also a famous Hollywood filming location. The blockbuster film, Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Deep was actually filmed on this island.

First on stage at this colourful event was Ellie Goulding with her four-member band and two backup singers. Rocked out in black bovver boots and a black bikini she hit the stage all energised.

Her soothing vocals spread through the air throwing the revellers into elation.

Ellie started off her performance with her hit single Lights, off her ‘Lights’ album. After a one-and-a-half hour performance she concluded her performance with the song Burn. Throughout her performance the way she engaged the crowd and how she blended in with her band by actually playing the guitar and drums at some point was thrilling.

Here in Puerto Rico, party goers show up semi-nude and it is not a big deal. Girls rocked skimpy bikinis (with some of the images not appropriate for this publication) while men on the other hand were in short pants, bare chested, flaunting their toned muscles covered in tattoos.

Then came the award winning DJ Calvin setting the tempo for the next artiste. Skilfully spinning the turn table, he blended the electronic beats with hip-hop music for an hour before he invited hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar on to the stage.

At this point, while the DJ mixes kept the crowd jamming, Ellie’s set of equipment was being moved to give room for Kendrick’s; here each artiste shows up with a full set of musical equipment and so when Ellie was done singing her entire set of equipment had to be moved.

At a few minutes past midnight Kendrick rocked up in ragged jeans with a simple shirt and his band on stage. They did not waste any time and swiftly picked up the tempo performing some of his hit songs. His lyrical prowess complimented with his agile stage performances is startling.

Kendrick started off his performance with the song B**ch, Don’t Kill My Vibe then followed it with some of his hit songs like Poetic Justice, Money Tree among others.

And when Kendrick was done, the stage was redone again this time for the local deejays to battle for supremacy. The party went on until dawn; those who came in their private yachts sailed away while the rest queued to board ferries.