BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-THE St. Kitts Music Festival Committee recently released the 2010 line up for the staging of the 14th annual event, which will be held from Thursday, June 24 to Saturday, June 26.
The committee also announced that there has been a reduction in the nightly price from EC$135 or US$50 to EC$100 or US$40, due to the global economic downturn.
SKNVibes PEP sought answers from a number of persons on the following question: What are your views on the 2010 Music Festival line up and the price cut?
Javanna said, “It’s a waste of time! The price cut? Sorry, I am not a festival fan and the line up and artistes are horrible; they could`ve done better. Why did they cut out jump up night? That’s the best night, and I am sure that’s the night they made a lot of money. So many people travel here just for that and I am sure most of them come for the jump up night, especially Kittitians who live overseas and can`t make it home for Christmas.”
“The music festival lineup is not good this year,” said 25-year-old Latoya, who added, “I don’t even think a lot of people will go…because nobody really coming. The only person I would like to see is Kymani Marley…that’s all. Who listens to Capleton and Sizzla now? I don’t! It’s like they went to the bottom of the barrel for us and just dig up anything, and for sure they couldn’t charge $135 again so $100 isn’t bad. It should even be less for such a crappy line up.”
A young man named Raphael said, “The price cut was necessary, otherwise the attendance would have been cut. Although some of the acts are really good choices, I think the festival could've really done a lot more research for acts to bring in. It seems as if much emphasis is placed on American acts. If this is the case, I think the committee should seek and book them early. We don’t need a bunch, one or two is fine. But what happen to artistes like Anthony B, Sanchez, Queen Ifrica, Ras Shiloh, Nasio Fontaine etc?”
“I absolutely love the price cut. As for the lineup, I love the fact that they included the local acts, but I feel it was only done because of the challenges they had pulling the big name artistes, which is like just saying, ‘Okay, we'll settle for you this time around.’ The lineup is well balanced and I’m hoping to expect a great show,” Ricky said.
Jevon said, “Honestly, I think it sucks. I haven't been to music fest in three years and I stayed in SK just to go, but now is like whatever. If I do go it will be just for a lime, because nothing else is there to do. I think the reason why they cut the price is because in heart they know it’s not up to standards.”
Gary, another young man, took a different view. He thinks the monies being spent to host the festival should have been put into programmes geared towards persons who are out of work. He believes that it is a waste of time. “The government needs to stop throwing music and food at people and help to satisfy them more long term than with instant gratification. And the price cut is still not applicable,’ he added.
The festival will take place at Warner Park at the Football Stadium, and the Thursday night will see Third World, King StarSheild, King Ellie Matt, Grand Masters Band, Capleton and Bunji Garlin and Faye-Ann Lyons.
On Friday, US rapper Fabolous will hit the stage along with local rapping sensation SMI, Tarrus Riley, Jah Fire, Kymani Marley and French bands Fethi Tabet and Stevy Mahy.
Sizzla, Baby Face, Infamus, Rolhensha, C-Money and Peper Ranks will bring the curtains down on the Saturday night.
