BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — WIDELY anticipated and highly attended, the 2025 edition of the St. Kitts Music Festival has been hailed as one of the most successful in its 27-year history.
With strong turnout and dynamic performances from local, regional, and international acts, stakeholders across the board are celebrating its impact.
The three-night musical spectacle kicked off with high energy, featuring crowd favourites like Kes the Band, Patrice Roberts, and AkaiiUSweet. Jamaica’s dancehall queen Spice, iconic performer Barrington Levy,Vybz Kartel, along with Colin Wyatt, kept the momentum going strong through night two.
Despite power outages and rain showers that delayed the start of Saturday night’s show, the final night unfolded as a “sunrise fête,” wrapping up around 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. That didn’t stop headline performers like Oscar and Grammy Award-winning Jennifer Hudson from energizing the crowd with her powerhouse vocals and popular hits.
But it was the back-to-back performances of Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo that truly brought the festival to a memorable close. Both artists delivered one-hour sets that left the audience in awe — and some dashing to church after as the sun rose over Warner Park.
Economic Impact
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew praised the festival as a resounding success, underscoring its widespread benefits — particularly for local vendors, hair braiders, makeup artists, and others in the informal economy who saw increased business during the event.
“This event is more than just entertainment,” Dr. Drew told reporters. “It’s an economic driver that reaches everyone, from small vendors on the grounds to creatives across the island.”
While acknowledging concerns raised over the festival's cost — including media reports of one artist commanding a $4 million fee — Dr. Drew said the investment is worthwhile given the festival’s growing regional footprint.
"People have to understand, to create an event like this, which is making waves across the Caribbean and of course and beyond, one would expect that something of this calibre would carry of course a price tag
Catalyst for Tourism and Creativity
The festival is strategically positioned during the traditionally slow June tourism season, providing a critical boost for arrivals and international attention.
"We have to look at the benefits that come from something like that. Name recognition for the country, that in itself is a huge, huge plus for having an event of this calibre. Secondly, I think that it brings to our people a sense of enjoyment.”
He further pointed to the development of a "creative economy" as a key priority for his administration, arguing that artists, musicians, and creatives must be treated as vital contributors to the national economy.
As planning begins for the 28th edition of the St. Kitts Music Festival, expectations are already high. With sustained government backing and growing international appeal, the festival continues to be a cultural anchor and economic catalyst for the Federation.
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