Friday, September 12 – Ta’Qali Stadium, Malta
The inaugural night of the historic Freedom Street Concert Festival opened in fine style, setting the tone for a weekend of world-class reggae and dancehall.
Saxon Sound Foundation
UK legends Saxon Sound, represented by Shawn Muscle with hosts Kal-I and Big Man Zest, warmed up the venue and established an authentic sound system energy. Their selections and hosting created the perfect pace for the night ahead.
Kranium – Smooth First Act
Following the intermission, Kranium officially opened Freedom Street Malta. Arriving with his tour DJ, he set the vibe immediately with Nobody Nuh Fi Know. Technical challenges were evident early, as he pointed out the lack of monitors, quipping: “Me can’t hear nothing out yah so.”
Adjusting quickly, Kranium centralized his performance, blending acapella transitions with full-stage presence—showcasing tactical showmanship. Through storytelling, he shared insights on his journey into music while delivering fan favorites such as Sit Down, Last Night, and We Can.
He balanced lovers’ anthems with street hits like Higher Life, while demonstrating his vocal range and falsettos. A playful moment came when he invited a woman from the crowd to join him, acting out the sensual themes of his music. Kranium closed his set with Lifestyle and a piece of History, officially christening Freedom Street Festival’s first night.
Shenseea – Star Power & Stagecraft
Next, Shenseea stormed the stage to Blessed, accompanied by her dancers in vibrant choreography. Though her microphone levels initially seemed low against her DJ and backing tracks, the energy soon synced as the crowd sang along.
Her performance was a blend of bold conversations about relationships and sexuality—highlighted in songs like Foreplay and Rebel—and dazzling stage routines. Her falsettos shone on Lighter and Hit & Run, while Shake It to the Max and Murder electrified the audience, climaxing in a multi-national women’s dance-off on stage.
Shenseea navigated through her impressive catalogue, from juggling riddims to international chart-toppers, giving Malta a full showcase of her artistic evolution. Though the audience craved more, her set left them deeply satisfied.
Dexta Daps – The Closer with Command
Closing out Night 1, Dexta Daps entered with explosive energy, pulling up Shabba Madda Pot before launching into anthems for the ladies—Forever, Twinkle, Call Me If, and Breaking News. His dancers added flair, complementing his dynamic stage presence.
He connected personally with the crowd, admitting he was allocated 75 minutes but wished for three hours, acknowledging fans who traveled from far. Balancing sensual tracks with gritty rude boy anthems like Leader, Squeeze, and Flight Mode, Dexta kept every demographic engaged.
With humor and banter, he declared Malta his new romantic adventure, weaving it into performances of Mi C Mi Bed and Miss U. The venue was alive with women screaming, men being pulled into dances, and phones recording every moment.
From No Underwear and Owner to the throwback 7Eleven, Morning Love, and Slavery, Dexta pleased both longtime fans and new listeners. His tribute segment honored legends like Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, and Vybz Kartel before dropping Masicka’s Whites and returning to Shabba Madda Pot to thunderous approval.
Dexta Daps closed with gratitude, leaving Malta charged and fulfilled, cementing his role as the perfect headliner for Freedom Street’s opening night.
Verdict: Night 1 of Freedom Street Festival at Ta’Qali Stadium was a masterclass in dancehall showmanship—from Kranium’s smooth tact and Shenseea’s commanding star power, to Dexta Daps’ unforgettable, high-energy closing set.
