KINGSTON, Jamaica – ALTHOUGH the promoters of the Reggae SumFest are facing challenges in hosting the event, the show will still be held from July 18-24 and several acts have already been confirmed.
The acts confirmed on the official Reggae SumFest website for the 2010 event are American superstar Chris Brown and a host of Jamaican acts including Queen Ifrica, Elephant Man, I-Octane, Konshens, Chino, Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, Beenie Man and Shaggy.
According to a report on yardflex.com, organisers are also appealing to stakeholders to work with them in finding creative solutions to the challenges to stage the 18th edition of the Greatest Reggae Festival on earth.
The Executive Producer of SumFest, Johnny Gourzong, stated that reduced sponsor support and increased production as well as artistes’ fees are some of the challenges being faced.
“Reggae SumFest is important to Jamaica’s tourism and impacts positively on the economy, and despite reduced sponsorship, we decided it was important to beat the odds and host the Festival this year,” he told yardflex.com.
Traditionally, Reggae SumFest has hosted a mixture of local and international acts that have distinguished the event as an eclectic mix of good music and performers. In light of the fiscal challenges, organisers gave great consideration to omitting international acts for this year’s festival.
Stakeholders agreed that international acts should be included on this year’s lineup, as the mix of genre and cultures is the essence of the event and such a cut back would adversely affect the marketability of the show.
Reggae SumFest is an annual event that provides an avenue for new and established local talent to demonstrate their prowess to an international audience as well as a wide cross section of the Jamaican society.
The brainchild of several Montego Bay businessmen, Reggae SumFest was first held in 1993.
It is the largest concert festival in Jamaica, taking place each year in mid-July. The show has traditionally featured top reggae performers including Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and Stephen Marley, The Mighty Diamonds, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Tony Rebel and Freddie McGregor, and dancehall stars like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Capleton, and Lady Saw. However, Hip-Hop and Rhythm and Blues acts like Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Boyz II Men and Lionel Richie have also made appearances on the SumFest stage.
The Festival kicks off on July 18 with a Beach Party. The Three day live event takes place at Catherine Hall, St James beginning on July 22.
