BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THREE bands from the Federation, Grand Masters, Small Axe and Nu Vybes will be travelling to Miami today (Oct. 8) for gigs that would commemorate the carnival celebrations there.
SKNVibes learnt that the Ultrasonics Band was also scheduled to be on that trip but, according to the band’s manager, Judith Liburd, they cancelled the trip because of the bad weather the Federation had experienced recently.
Wingrove Hicks, manager of the Grand Masters Band, said the band would be performing on a gig that would feature two bands from St. Kitts and two from the Virgin Islands.
He said the other band from the Federation is Nu Vybes while U and B Souljahs of St. Croix and Jam Band of St. Thomas would represent the VI.
The band will return to the Federation on Sunday, October 10 and gear up for their lead singer Smiley’s Birthday Bash, which will be held at the Pub on Saturday, October 16.
Junie Adams of the Nu Vybes Band said that they usually travel to Miami for the carnival celebrations and that the feedback is always one of positivity.
“Miami is a comfortable territory for us to perform at. There is a large Virgin Island populace living there and we have a good following from the Virgin Islanders. We’re no strangers to them,” he said.
Adams said this year the band would be promoting the National Carnival activities while in Miami and they would be teaming up with Ashley Allers to release a J’Ouvert Troupe and a Parade Troupe.
“Splash of Purple is the name of the J’Ouvert Troupe and normally people would say they’re feeling blue. Well, we will be feeling purple as Feelin’ Purple is the name of the Parade Troupe. And these troupes will be presented under the name Phunn Vybes,” Adams added.
He said that they are hoping to launch the troupe and also the band’s new carnival album at the same event next month.
Gregory Warner of the Small Axe Band said that the band would be performing on three events while in Miami.
He said they would be performing for ‘Soca Xplosion’ organised by Ram Jam United, which will feature Antigua’s Burning Flames, Heart Attack of St. Maarten and Daddy Jones and Crew of St. Thomas.
Warner said that on Sunday, October 10, at Dolphin Stadium, the band would perform on Carnival Stage while their final gig would be on the following day for Caribbean Band Clash at Calder Race Track, which will also feature Bunji Garlin.
When asked what makes the band in such great demand to secure the gigs they do, Warner said that it is based on their performance.
“Every year the band exceeds expectations in our performances; it is the most popular band out there…we’re always in high demand,” he said.
Warner said that they would be performing on Smiley’s Birthday Bash and at Potential Bar October 22 and 29 respectively. He also indicated that they would be performing at the TDC Grounds on October 23.
On October 30 the band will journey to St. Croix for an event, where their tune ‘Mr. Flintstones’ is a favorite among many.
