Wake up, Bahamas! Rod Stewart has something to say to you.
The legendary British rocker, 79, looked half his age when he took the stage for an electrifying performance at the 2024 Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival Beach Party at the Baha Mar resort in Nassau on Friday.
Complete with energetic dance moves and multiple outfit changes, Stewart’s act ignited the intimate crowd of attendees from the moment he took the stage at 10 p.m.
Stewart — who hit the stage wearing layers of polka dota — continued his 90-minute set with fan-favorites “Maggie May,” “Forever Young” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” which he often paired with over-the-top hip gyrations and quick-step dance moves.
About 45 minutes into the concert, the Grammy-winning artist — who changed into a blue-and-yellow suit to represent the Ukrainian flag — dedicated “Rhythm of My Heart” to the country’s war-torn citizens and declared, “F–k, [Vladimir] Putin.”
Stewart has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine during its war with Russia, even recently getting booed on stage in Germany for showing photos of the Ukraine flag and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The singer closed the night with yet another outfit change for “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” a tune which has recently gained legs with a younger demographic thanks to its virality on TikTok.
But ticket holders weren’t the only ones who got to enjoy the crooner’s performance.
Lucky SLS hotel guests who had rooms that overlooked Baha Mar’s Baha Bay Water Park, which was shut down for the beachfront party and concert, flocked to their balconies to watch the gig from the comfort of their own chambers.
Celebrity chefs Amanda Freitag, Carla Hall Scott Conant and Maneet Chauhan were also seen singing and dancing in the crowd.
Before the concert, guests meandered around the vicinity to try delicious food selections from the resort’s notable restaurants, including Japanese hotspot Katsuya, steakhouse Carna, Italian staple Fi’lia and more.
The third-annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival expanded in 2024 to begin three days earlier than it had in previous years, giving attendees a full six days to experience master classes, private dinners, demonstrations and intimate conversations with high-profile chefs and artists.
Participating chefs also included Geoffrey Zakarian, Marcus Samuelsson, Dario Cecchini and more.
“Touched down in paradise ready for all the fun to come with this crazy crew @bahamarresorts @bahamarfestival,” Zakarian wrote on Instagram Friday.
Chauhan, for her part, posted: “Such a spectacular place with amazing people. We can’t wait to celebrate this weekend. Let the adventures begin.”
Police frontman Sting headlined last year’s beach party.