BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHAIRMAN of the St. Kitts Music Festival Faron Lawrence said this year’s festival would feature some changes and one of them is what is commonly called ‘Jump Up Night’.
‘Jump Up Night’ usually features the top bands in the Federation and is officially known as the Thursday night of the annual event.
Lawrence said this year would not be the traditional jam session that people are accustomed to with the local bands, including Nu Vybes, Small Axe and Grand Masters, instead, they have decided to give other local artistes an opportunity to shine on the festival.
He said for 12 years there have been bands that have performed at the festival. “We have a lot of young artistes who have put in a lot of work into their music and have never been given a chance to display their talent on the festival. It is a big change but we need to give them a chance,” he said.
Lawrence said that Road March Champs Grand Masters Band, which is scheduled to provide musical accompaniment for Starshield and Ellie Matt on the Thursday night, would most likely perform for a few minutes, solo.
Trinidad’s powerhouse Soca couple Faye-Ann Lyons and her husband Bunji Garlin are also scheduled to perform on the festival and would provide some ‘palancing’ for patrons who still want to experience the Raga Soca.
Another initiative that the Festival Committee is looking at is to open each night of the festival with a major regional or international act, as oppose to a local artiste.
“The local artistes would practice so hard and no one will be there for them to perform to so this year. We’re looking at opening each night with a regional or international act, and this will also have the festival starting on time and ending early so patrons can be involved in other things after,” he said.
Lawrence said it has not been finalised as yet, but that is one of the plans they are hoping to implement. So while they will be publicising the lineup for this year’s festival, they will also make public the order of appearance so that persons would not miss their favorite acts.
The artistes who have been confirmed for the Thursday night festival are Third World, King Ellie Matt, Starshield backed by Grand Masters, Faye-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin and Capleton.
