BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE the mixed feelings that members of Kollision Band have over its recent inclusion on the 17th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, the decision to make good on the invitation was accepted because of the band’s respect for its highly-valued fans and music lovers.
Chairman of the St. Kitts Music Festival Committee, Faron Lawrence announced the band’s inclusion on the June 27-29 line-up on Freedom FM 106.5 last Thursday afternoon (May 30).
SKNVibes recently had an exclusive chit chat with the band’s manager, Shervin Whyte.
Asked what the general feeling is amongst the band members in respect to its addition to the line-up, Whyte responded: “Mixed feelings, but we came to a consensus and the consensus came that we have to please our fans. The fans have helped to make us and so we have to please them.”
He said fans and music lovers could expect an unforgettable performance from the Kollision Band on the St. Kitts Music Festival stage.
“They can expect a performance like no other! This is our first and we are going to give them Kollison from the past to present. We are going to give them songs that Kollision has done over the past nine albums. Kollision is 10 years now and we have produced nine albums.”
After being contacted by the St. Kitts Music Festival Committee, which acknowledged that fans and music lovers of the band were calling and asking about the band, its members collectively realised that in lights of their fans “we can’t disappoint and say no”.
Whyte thanked the fans and public for their support.
He also thanked SKNVibes for its May 9 published article: ‘Why no Kollision Band on Music Festival’.
Additionally, Whyte expressed words of appreciation to the St. Kitts Music Festival Committee and gave assurance that the band would put on a great show.
“I would like to say thank you to the St. Kitts Music Festival Committee for reconsidering their position towards the band, and I can assure you that the fans will not be disappointed and we will show that we should have been there (on the initial line-up) in the first place.”
He further encouraged patrons to buy their tickets early and to come go out in their numbers to support the event.
Whyte highlighted that the band’s anniversary activities would be planned for in late October this year, pointing out that the band is already booked for National Carnivals in Saba, Tortola, Anguilla and Virgin Gorda.
He informed that the band was 10 years old in March but they were unable to plan events to celebrate the milestone at that time, because the band was heavily booked since the start of 2013.
“Because we have been booked so heavily since the year started, we haven’t really had a chance to plan our anniversary stuff,” Whyte said.
Whyte made mention of a host of Caribbean islands, including Tortola and Anguilla, that the band has visited on business to perform at major events.
And such regional gigs have resulted in video highlights of the band’s performances being aired on the popular Caribbean television channel, TEMPO.
“We have performed on big stages already; it’s just that we have not been on our local St. Kitts Music Festival,” he added.
The 17th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival takes place at Warner Park Stadium from June 27 to 29.
Thursday - The Small Axe Band, Nu Vybes Band International, Grand Masters Band, Kore Band, Kollision Band, Fay-Ann Lyons, Super Blue and Bunji Garlin.
Friday - Dejour, Dagah, Charles Emmanuel, Tessanne Chin, Konshens, Shaggy and Beres Hammond.
Saturday - Cayon Pantastics, Andy Narell featuring Relator, Etienne Charles and Lionel Richie.
