ROAD TOWN, Tortola – A total of 42 artistes will be participating in the British Virgin Islands Music Festival scheduled to begin tonight at the Cane Garden Bay in Tortola.
A combination of local artistes from sister islands Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda as well as regional and international acts will make up the staggering roster.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, May 20, it was reported that all were in place for the event.
The Entertainment Organiser for the BVI Music Fest Cane Garden Bay Committee, Neil Blyden, said this year’s festival would have unique features such as a big screen at the end of the beach and staging that allows two activities to take place simultaneously.
He also mentioned that the Saturday night event featuring Queen Ifrica, Serani, Daddy Yankee and Sizzla would be the big one, as some artistes are expected to bring special guests.
Some of the persons living in the BVI have expressed concerns about the festival, including the swine flu and the switching of the genre of acts on various nights by the committee.
It was reported that the Public Relations Officer for the Festival Committee, David Archer, told BVI News Online that a comprehensive mass gathering plan is being developed to address the epidemic and he hopes it would not affect the festival.
He also said that the committee has a good plan in place to not only combat swine flu, but any medical issue that may arise.
Some are also of the view that it was not a good move to mix the genre of acts. For instance, Friday night’s event will feature solely soca acts including Ricky T out of St. Lucia, Peter Ram of Barbados, and Jamesy P and Zoela from St. Vincent, along with dancehall artiste Busy Signal who will bring the curtains down on the night’s activities.
Persons have shared similar sentiments regarding the St. Kitts Music Festival where the Thursday night will feature a number of soca acts, namely Nu Vybes, The Grand Masters, Lejah Band featuring Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, King Konris, Biggie Irie, Blade & Byke, Lord Nelson and dancehall artiste Mavado.
But during a previous interview with SKNVibes, a source close to the committee stated that the main reason Mavado was placed to perform on the Thursday night was due to the decrease in attendees over the years.
“We have had possibly all the top Caribbean soca artistes perform in St. Kitts. As there isn’t many to choose from, we chose to put Mavado on the Thursday to sort of revitalise that night; so this will be sort of an experiment,” she said.
The BVI Music Festival Sunday night’s event will feature international acts Tanya Stephens and The drifters, and the cost for each night is US$20 or US$50 for a three-day pass.
BVI Music Festival Official Lineup:
FRIDAY 22nd MAY
Extreme Band &
Local Artists
Ritical
M.C Tommy Joseph
TNT-Soca Unit Band
Featuring:
Zoelah
Ricky T
Jamesy P
Peter Ram
Busy Signal
SATURDAY 23rd MAY
Local Bands (3)
Quito and the Edge
Queen Ifrica
Serani
Daddy Yankee
Sizzla
SUNDAY 24th MAY
Local Jazz
Just Us Band
In The Light featuring
"Onaje Allan Gumbs"
Fashion Show
Lashing Dogs
Imaginations Reunion-
Special Guest Barron
The Drifters
Tanya Stephens
British Virgin Islands News