BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jul. 02.2018 – MINISTER of Tourism, Hon. Lindsay Grant has described the 2018 edition of the annual St. Kitts Music Festival as a success, after it wrapped up in the wee hours of Sunday (Jul. 01).
With the likes of Patti Labelle, Lauryn Hill, Spice, Fetty Wap, Destra amongst others gracing the stage this year, it drew thousands of patrons for each of the three nights of the event.
When the final act performed it meant that the Committee, heading by newly appointed Chairman, Damion Hobson, pulled off another spectacle that left patrons wanting more.
Grant acknowledge the efforts of the committee and the organizing of the event.
The event open on Thursday June 28) with the usual “jump up night” where the Queen of Soca, Destra unleashed several of her top lyrics to a very receptive crowd. She was followed by fellow Kes The Band.
The entertainment didn’t stop there as Nilah Blackman and Spice kept the crowd partying until the wee hours of Friday morning.
The following evening, popular artistes August Alsina, Sizzla Kalonji, Wayne Wonder and Chackademus and Pliers all ensured that the party atmosphere continued. Many belting out their most popular lyrics from ‘yesteryear’.
Crowd favourites, Patti Labelle and Lauryn Hill did not disappoint either, as they had the crowd swaying to their lyrics that have become well known across the region.
While addressing reporters shortly after the completion of the festival, the Minister described the three days as “electric”, with it being “efficient and innovative”.
“We are going to have difficulty in 2019 to top this,” he said.
Though he gave commendation to the festival organizers, the Minister acknowledged that there were areas that proved a challenged for the committee.
“This is always a work in progress. You can recognize your deficiencies because it always looks good on the outside, but we had some challenges backstage…But in terms of what we produced this evening and others has certainly been exceptional,” added Grant.
Though all commendations go out to the Committee for their work, rave reviews are pouring in for the baby of the festival, Byron Messia, who stood out amongst the lot.
His performance caught the attention of the Minister, who, when asked by SKNVibes Entertainment about the youngman, said he hopes that his talent will be harnessed.
“I feel absolutely thrilled that you would have had that. But as far as I am concerned this is just a stepping stone for the youngster. We need to make sure that we guide him in the right way and make sure that we, in the next five years, produce a youngster who has international talent for an international stage.”
The St. Kitts Music festival has been used as a springboard for many of the local talent to showcase their skills on an international stage. A number of popular local artistes have graced the stage, including Soca kings, Rucas H.E., Mr. Bagnall and Mr. Hype.
