ROSEAU, Dominica – AFTER partying into the early hours of Saturday (Oct. 26), Dominicans showed up in large numbers for the second night of the World Creole Music Festival at the Windsor Park Cricket Stadium—and they were in for a treat. Damien ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Stephen Marley, and Asa Bantan electrified the venue with their captivating performances.
On one of the most anticipated nights of the festival, Kassav’, a band with over 45 years of history, proved why they’ve endured for so long. Their infectious hits had the sizable crowd—young and old alike—dancing and grooving throughout their performance. Kassav' set a high bar for the night with a 90-minute performance that kept energy levels soaring.
In a post-performance interview, members of Kassav’ shared their goal of exceeding expectations as a tribute to their recently departed leader. They expressed their joy at performing in Dominica, which they consider a second home. As part of the festival since its inception, the band emphasized the importance of preserving the Creole language, which remains a core element of their music.
The Marleys—Damien ‘Jr. Gong’ and Stephen—were a major highlight of the night. The multiple Grammy award-winning duo dove straight into their repertoire, engaging fans who sang along to every word. Their set included several classics from their father, Bob Marley, such as “Trouble,” “Exodus,” “Jamming,” and “I Wanna Love You.” They also performed fan favorites “Medication” and “Living It Up,” with a special cameo by Damien’s son, Elijah. Their performance culminated with “Welcome to Jamrock,” followed by an encore featuring the iconic “Could You Be Loved.”
Following the reggae superstars, local bouyon artists Ridge and Pudaz took the stage and kept the momentum going with their infectious Creole rhythms, keeping the audience swaying from start to finish.
Nigerian-American performer Whizzkid delivered a lively debut performance, reminiscent of Rotimi’s on the festival's first night. His R&B style shone through, adding a different flavour to the evening’s lineup.
The crowd’s energy remained high well into the early morning, as festival-goers eagerly awaited local star Asa Bantan. True to tradition, Bantan made a grand entrance—arriving via ambulance and thrilling the crowd with his dramatic arrival. Dressed in scrubs emblazoned with “Bouyon Boss” on the back, he took the stage at 7:00 a.m., instantly injecting a new sense of renewed vigor into the audience.
Bantan’s impressive collection of hits and commanding stage presence had the crowd dancing and singing along throughout his performance. By the time he wrapped at 8:00 a.m., festival-goers had enjoyed what many described as an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Even after the official performances ended, the celebration continued, with many attendees heading to the waterfront to savor the festive spirit.
The World Creole Music Festival remains a major highlight of Dominica’s Independence celebrations, bringing people together to revel in music, culture, and community