Air Supply performs at Children for Charity at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

Air Supply proved its timelessness once again with a fabulous performance at the Food For the Poor Children for Charity concert. Sunday's performance at the National Indoor Sports Centre was the Australian duo's fourth in the island, but the response they received proved their allure had not faded.

The show, MC'd by Norma Brown-Bell and Empress, got off to an early start with impressive performances from young local talents.

The Pembroke Hall High School band provided an entertaining performance of Respect, La Bamba and Lambada. They were followed by the dance troupe from the Danny Williams School for the Deaf, which amazed the audience with an inspiring routine choreographed to the Circle of Life.

The crowd was further enter-tained by Ashley Graham, gold medallist in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission speech competition. Much to the audience's delight, she performed two original dub poems, one calling for an end to the violence against children and the other celebrating Jamaican culture. Her delivery and obvious confidence made her a crowd favourite.

Roshelle Hanes and Michelle-Ann Gabbidon, students of Campion College and the Immaculate Conception High School, respectively, thrilled the audience with their skills on the violin. Hanes performed a gospel medley before partnering with Gabbidon for a medley of Christmas carols.

After a short break, the show continued with Lloyd Parkes and We The People Band doing a brief performance of The Greatest Love of All and Members Only.

Cabaret singer, Nikki Dillon, was next with soulful performances of Perfidia, Don't Stay Away and You Don't Love Me.

Cameal Davis' performance

The announcement that 2008 Rising Stars winner, Cameal Davis, would be taking the stage sent waves of excitement through the crowd and she did not disappoint. Full of energy and personality, she sang Etana's Warrior Love, Etta James' At Last and Jennifer Hudson's Spotlight. A lucky male picked from the audience was the object of her affection as she sang James' classic.

The excitement reached fever pitch when veteran Karen Smith took the stage. Her performance was good enough to elicit a standing ovation. She also had most of the audience singing and dancing as she delivered hits including How Glad I Am, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, I Say a Little Prayer and a moving rendition of The Prayer with Christopher McDonald.

John Holt was next, and like Smith, he kept the vibe alive. Many were unable to stay seated and provided back up for Holt, singing along to every song. He delivered tunes like I Want A Love I Can Feel, If I Were A Carpenter, Stealing Stealing, Sweetie Come Brush Mi and Stick By Me.

Energetic rendition

Female lead vocalist of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Ashley Smith, gave an energetic performance of Simply The Best, before switching to a more sombre mood, performing We Are The World, in memory of all the children murdered recently.

After hours of waiting, it was Air Supply's turn to take the stage. After a brief delay, they made their debut to deafening screams. They started with their newest single Sweet Dreams, before moving into familiar songs like Even The Nights Are Better, Just As I Am, The Power of Love and Two Less Lonely People in The World.

After a few failed attempts to encourage those in the stands to come to the front, they made their way through the crowd, singing Here I Am, much to the excitement of those who were at the back.

During a set, which lasted close to two hours, they delivered other hits such as Making Love Out of Nothing At All and Every Woman in the World.

Shortly after midnight, they exited the stage, but the audience was not done. They demanded more and the group returned to introduce the band members and give a well-appreciated rendition of All Out of Love, while encouraging everyone in attendance to support Food For the Poor.

John Holt absorbs the affection from the audience during his performance at Children for Charity. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer