ROSEAU, DOMINICA — RAIN showers came and went, but the energy never let up as veteran Jamaican star Capleton returned to Dominica after nearly three decades, delivering a high-octane performance to kick off the 26th edition of the World Creole Music Festival at Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
Leaping, kicking and dancing across the stage, Capleton brought his signature fire and lyrical prowess to a crowd that responded with cheers, dancing and hands raised in the air. His performance was a reminder that, when it comes to commanding a stage, age is just a number.
Armed with his signature lyrics and boundless energy, he jumped, kicked and danced across the stage, proving that age has done little to diminish his performance.
Local Creole acts also held their own, entertaining a crowd that grew steadily throughout the night. Dancehall was added to the opening-night mix this year, with young Jamaican sensation Skillibeng helping to keep the energy high as patrons partied into the early morning hours.
With thousands in attendance, the opening night offered a blend of local, regional and international sounds, setting the tone for the three-night festival.
A major fixture on the regional entertainment calendar, the World Creole Music Festival has expanded considerably over the years, attracting music lovers to Dominica during the island’s Independence celebrations.
The excitement began Thursday morning with a press conference attended by several artistes, DJs, social media personalities and content creators, who offered a preview of what fans could expect over the three nights.
Director of Tourism Marva Williams told SKNVibes Entertainment that the festival was conceived to promote bouyon and cadence music, attract visitors during the Independence season and showcase Creole music from across the region and beyond.
“When we talk about Creole music, we talk about the St. Lucia Creole, you know, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti and Africa,” Williams said. “And we've seen that transition over the years. We've seen it really create a platform for not only promoting the music but creating an awareness for Dominica as a destination.”
The festival has also helped raise the profile of bouyon, a Dominican music genre that continues to gain popularity regionally and internationally.
Williams pointed to the festival’s growth over the years, including an increase in attendance.
“In the early days of the World Creole Music Festival, we probably would have recorded 2,000 attendees,” she said.
Attendance last year exceeded 4,400 across the three nights, Williams noted, adding that she expects visitor arrivals to increase further this year. She also highlighted the strong influx of visitors during the lead-up to the 2025 festival.
Night one featured performances by Capleton, Ezra, Skillibeng and TK International, among others.
The festival continues with a lineup that includes Machel Montano, Ne-Yo, Signal Band and a host of local and regional performers, as Dominica welcomes music lovers for another celebration of Creole culture and Caribbean rhythms.
