The week before the show was full of preparation, dress rehearsals, and final touches. After four months of eating, sleeping, and breathing Aruba Summer Music Festival, I finally got to see the stage two days before the actual performance. As I walked onto the stage and looked at the empty space ahead of me, I tried to picture what the venue would look like at night with spotlights, bright screens, and thousands of screaming fans. However nothing I pictured in my mind lived up to the actual beauty and experience of the real night.
I spent all of Saturday fidgeting and looking at the clock. I can safely say that it was the LONGEST day of my life. Even though part of me was nervous about being on such a big stage with so many people watching, the other part just wanted to get on that stage and have some fun!
When I reached Harbor Arena on the big night, I was wearing a thick sweater despite the Caribbean heat. My heart was racing and my ears were pounding as I climbed up the stairs to the stage wings. I waited in the wings for what felt like an eternity but was really only about 5 minutes.
Suddenly I heard my intro video play and every cell in my body shook with excitement and nerves. I heard the introduction of my song “I Don’t Need You” and the supportive cheers from the audience. I stood in my position, the spotlights went on, and I sang the first note of my song.
To be honest, everything from there to the final bow of my show was a blur. I remember important key points like the audience putting their flashlights in the air. I remember seeing familiar faces in the crowd, but not exactly registering them until much later. I remember the feeling of singing to 8,000 people and hearing them sing back to me. I remember finishing my set and hearing my island cheer for me.
I’ve been alive for 15 years and I am lucky to have experienced many amazing and thrilling moments in my life, but out of every experience I have ever had so far, none has ever compared to the one I had on July 1, 2017. It wasn’t just about being able to sing before well respected artists like Maluma and Zion y Lennox and it wasn’t just about the number of people in the crowd. The night was amazing for me because I felt like everything I had worked for for the past few years was fitting together so perfectly.
Everyone who has supported me along my journey and anyone who has criticized me helped shape me into the confident and dangerous person I was on stage and I can’t thank you all enough. I am eternally grateful for the people who have encouraged me and given me opportunities that have taken me places I only dreamed of.
I pray that this show was just the beginning of a wonderful journey that lies ahead for us! Thank you for having faith in me.
Stay Beautiful xx
- Esha
Instagram - @eshamusic
Facebook - @eshamusic
Producer - kimcopelandproductions.com
Management - copelandtuckergroup.com