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Hundreds turn out for Night 2 of VI Music Festival

- Boycott call by ‘Cindy’ seems to be the only thing that flopped
Alkaline during his performance at VI Music Festival 2024 on Wickham's Cay 1 on May 26, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/BVI Tourist Board
A large crowd attended Night 2 of VI Music Festival on Wickham's Cay I on May 25, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/ BVI Tourist Board
A large crowd attended Night 2 of VI Music Festival on Wickham's Cay I on May 25, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/ BVI Tourist Board
Monea was one of the crowd favourites at the VI Music Festival 2024 on Wickham's Cay 1 on May 26, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/BVI Tourist Board
Monea was one of the crowd favourites at the VI Music Festival 2024 on Wickham's Cay 1 on May 26, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/BVI Tourist Board
Banco Bizmol performing at VI Music Festival on May 25, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/BVI Tourist Board
Banco Bizmol performing at VI Music Festival on May 25, 2024. Photo: Andrea France/BVI Tourist Board
Night 3, of the VI Music Festival this evening March 26, 2024, will feature Gramps Morgan, Freddie Jackson and local popular artiste Sistah Joyce, OMG, along with DJ Pushpop among others. Photo: BVITB
Night 3, of the VI Music Festival this evening March 26, 2024, will feature Gramps Morgan, Freddie Jackson and local popular artiste Sistah Joyce, OMG, along with DJ Pushpop among others. Photo: BVITB
Patrons turned up in the hundreds for the VI Music Festival on May 25, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Patrons turned up in the hundreds for the VI Music Festival on May 25, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was from about 11:45 PM last night, Saturday, May 25, 2024, that the crowd started to grow at Night 2 of the VI Music Festival on Wickham's Cay 1.

At about 1:30 AM, when superstar ‘Alkaline’ came on stage, the crowd had peaked to close to a thousand persons on the grounds, according to organisers, drone photos and other residents who attended.

While Night 1 had a modest crowd, the second night had shown much improvement, with visitors also from the United States Virgin Islands and the sister islands. 

Also on stage last night were Priceless, Banco Bizmol, I’Ritical, and Monea.

Local talent I’Ritical gave the crowd uplifting and conscious music, including his hit song ‘Wish you the Best’.

Patrons were scattered about the venue during the earlier performances but swarmed to the front of the stage when local artiste Monea made her appearance, along with her dancing girls.

Close to a thousand attended

One of the organisers from the BVI Tourist Board, speaking to our news centre in an invited comment on condition of anonymity, noted, “Last night had a great turnout…you would appreciate that the grounds are also much bigger than the Festival Grounds and the stage is not even on the grounds, so with close to a thousand persons in attendance, it may not have looked that way”.

When asked, if the giving away of tickets contributed to the big crowd, the person noted that “complimentary tickets are nothing new, they are given out all the time to these events.” When pressed, if the event flopped because of the boycott called for by Rosemary L. Rosan aka ‘Cindy’, the response was “emphatically no, her call for a boycott was the only thing that flopped…residents supported the event and we expect tonight to be well supported once the weather holds, especially from the more mature residents.”

Night 3

Night 3, of the VI Music Festival this evening March 26, 2024, will feature Gramps Morgan, Freddie Jackson and local popular artiste Sistah Joyce, OMG, along with DJ Pushpop among others.

The VI Music Festival sponsored by the BVI Tourist Board, along with other private sector partners, has sparked controversy, with some saying the funds could have been used to fix the roads. 

However, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who was at the VI Music Festival last night, noted that he already has a $100 million loan request, with a large portion of this loan funding earmarked for infrastructure including roads and water.

Dr Wheatley stated that the VI Music Festival contributes to the economy and the Tourism product.

Meanwhile, Rosan is yet to give the public a reason for the boycott, outside of being a daily critic of the Territory’s fourth Premier Hon Wheatley.

51 Responses to “Hundreds turn out for Night 2 of VI Music Festival”

  • This (26/05/2024, 14:43) Like (49) Dislike (12) Reply
    I feel soso sad for Monae. She was just there fighting up and trying to be a one a b. Please change this career before it changes you.
    • Real People (26/05/2024, 15:04) Like (48) Dislike (6) Reply
      And people young daughters grown up feeling this is normal behavior and dress code. Look at the trash this girl wearing
      • resident (26/05/2024, 21:20) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
        In the photo it looked like she was wearing Depends. Odd choice.
        • @resident (28/05/2024, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          It makes you wonder whether Monae even has a good plan for her future in the entertainment industry or whether she needs to seriously consider another career as another person suggested.  Surely it can't just be trying to look as ridiculous as possible, while shaking her butt to the public (in the most vulgar of ways) on stage to hopefully guarantee album sales.  Sadly whatever vocal talents she may have is being lost in all of this distracting, self-destructive behaviour.  What a shame! 

          Monae you don't have to copy everything that's negative from the US and elsewhere - blaze your own trail.  Set a good standard for other young Caribbean girls to emulate.  It's not too early to start thinking about the legacy you would wish to leave one day - you are now in your early 30s.  Choose positivity over negativity.  Get yourself a good manager!

          You are smart enough to know and do better! Parading on stage in 'Depends' is not it! Please wake up out of your bad dream before it is too late.  As an aspiring artist from the Virgin Islands we want the best for you, so please take these comments seriously and do better.  If we don't stand for something we will always fall for anything.
    • @This (26/05/2024, 17:14) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
      Sorry who is Monea ?
      • Whknow (26/05/2024, 18:10) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
        Possibly but I am guessing, another entity let loose to degrade on display and. serve as a reminder of what the World should accept and know as feel good.,,in the Black human animal kingdom..Entertainment as long as it humiliates and degrades" We".
      • Bye Enry (26/05/2024, 21:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is unsure who it is.
    • THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT DRONE PICS RELEASE FOR ….SMH (26/05/2024, 17:29) Like (34) Dislike (8) Reply
      This is what that new Tourist Board staff bragging about asking to release drone and pics LOL

      IF YOU LOOK GOOD THAT CROWD DOES NOT FILL EVEN HALF OF THE FIELD!!

      Why they don’t do their job and release photos since it’s their event that the Premier had them do SMH.

      By the way STOP mixing up being negative with people who have COMMON SENSE!!!!
    • @ This (26/05/2024, 17:38) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
      It’s so not a good look for Monea.

      It’s not a good example to set for young ladies.

      Do people stop and realize they can’t ask God on Judgement Day to let them in to continue living the lifestyle they’re living.
    • Herbs Powa (27/05/2024, 12:55) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      Monae performance was excellent. Now if you called out Alkaline who is just like Rock City that cannot sing their own songs I will agree.
  • lol (26/05/2024, 14:54) Like (48) Dislike (5) Reply
    Still wasn’t much yall haven’t even made back the performers money
  • Really (26/05/2024, 14:55) Like (27) Dislike (10) Reply
    Was no more than 500 that’s only the front near the stage show the back and drone view
    • @ Really (26/05/2024, 15:36) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
      I was there at the high time at least one thousand but they still lose money
  • ... (26/05/2024, 14:58) Like (15) Dislike (12) Reply
    Excellent turn out
  • Real (26/05/2024, 15:05) Like (41) Dislike (2) Reply
    We as blacks will be forever doomed. In our mental slavery behaviors
  • one eye (26/05/2024, 15:12) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    the space is big I will even go as far as saying more than a thousand was there
    • BuzzBvi (27/05/2024, 07:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So only $650 paid by Government to their friends, for each person that attended. Be good to see who shared out the $650000 dollars, but unlikely to be in our interest. Looking like a better investment every day
  • facts (26/05/2024, 15:35) Like (30) Dislike (75) Reply
    Cindy is a hater and enemy of the bvi and it's people
    • @ facts (26/05/2024, 17:43) Like (35) Dislike (2) Reply
      You can’t be paying any taxes to call this FOOLISH FEST a sensible thing to do with everything else that needs priority.

      You are probably one of the many who are complaining about roads, schools, healthcare, minimum wage, employment, rent, mortgage, etc.

      I may not fancy certain things about Cindy but take the more out of your eye or whatever it is you have against her and look at the FACTS - it is a WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY JUST LIKE THE $250K jam.
    • @facts (26/05/2024, 17:51) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
      Cindy is a hater of the people that run the BVI not the BVI people. If you knew what she does, you would hate the ruling families too.
    • Eldread (26/05/2024, 18:07) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
      This lady Cindy will be vindicated, black people are superstitious and don't look for there real future, spend time partying Instead of building a retirement future for old age, the colonialist are using Wheatley to keep you down , that's how they plant their stooge now to sound like they talking against colonialism, but notice every chance he get and the white people call him he jump on a plane first class.
  • WOW (26/05/2024, 15:38) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    This country like it real confused. I pray for you guys.
  • Cindy (26/05/2024, 15:47) Like (60) Dislike (7) Reply
    I can’t believe their focus is on Cindy and yes it’s a resounding yes it was a flop. Ask yourself how much people needs to attend for it to be successful
  • StormWatcher (26/05/2024, 15:49) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    One thing though, the ground itself stood up better than expected. The drainage was not too bad. The Company did a relatively good job.
  • Stealth (26/05/2024, 16:03) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    The (British) Virgin Islands (VI) is a representative democracy and as such, the people must be listen to, not pushing personal desires and agendas. Many residents strongly suggested that the money spent on music festival would have better spent on fixing the potholed filled roads among other urgent and important needs. However, the government seem to ignore the urgent cry and forge ahead with the music festival. The lack of experience of government (Green) is in full bloom and if the bull headedness continues, there may be a high cost at the polls.

    In allocating, prioritizing, and expending limited budgetary resources,,government must spend scarce dollars to provide the most benefits to the most people. No government will have all the resources needed to meet all needs, so it must prioritize spending. In speaking to an experienced, seasoned Boomer, the Boomer suggested that a portion of the money spent on the music fest should have been spent on the 70th Emancipation Festival, which is just a few months away, for a better and more enjoyable celebration. On the other hand, the view of Gen X, Gen Y( Millennials), Gen Z (IGen), etc, is that life in the VI is hard, in a depressive state,etc, so some entertainment is needed, if only temporarily, to provide an escape from life’s pressures. Politicians must pay attention to the opinions of a majority of the people. They ignore the majority to their own peril.
  • Whose counting?? (26/05/2024, 16:29) Like (51) Dislike (2) Reply
    The numerical amount of the persons in attendance at this Music Fest concert is irrelevant. The relevant number is the dollar amount of the concert total income and the overall concert expenses. It's simple math: $50K income with $500K expenses means the concert was a failure and lost $450,000 of BVI taxpayer's money!
  • She is fake news (26/05/2024, 16:49) Like (11) Dislike (48) Reply
    She still trying to convince herself that people did not turn out what a moo moo
    • @ She is fake news (26/05/2024, 17:31) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      Anybody studying you????

      You better look good and see this is NOT the crowd the Premier expected to make a profit or break even.
  • John (26/05/2024, 17:11) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply
    The road would take much more than what they spend on the music fest
  • Possibly (26/05/2024, 17:15) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Weave wigs braids lashes nails sold well
  • Wow. Wow. (26/05/2024, 17:33) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    This thing is going to get big, huge..I can feel it..
  • BVI love (26/05/2024, 18:08) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    Yes it was ram so the haters cannot deny the facts
  • turkey (26/05/2024, 19:03) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any promotion that doesn't expand the people's awareness is a waste of time and money. This is no time to be promoting Quacks and Invalids.
  • Hotels empty and car rentals parked up (26/05/2024, 19:38) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    I aint see no tourists in those pictures
    • Cindy needs a Job. Badly. (27/05/2024, 05:30) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
      I am 1000% sure that if the Premier had give Cindy the music Festival the organizing and marketing contract. $30- $40 gran to start planning next year it would be excellent, she is good at what she does, let her used her long reaching loud voice for something positive for the country. Mr. Premier bury the Hatchet. Be the bigger one. Be the leader, find away to include Cindy, Let Lorna organize a meeting with the 3 of you all, work it out. Put country first..
  • say so (26/05/2024, 19:49) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    Monea was awesome as usual ❤️ finger to the haters…
    • @ Say so. Too talented (27/05/2024, 05:18) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      If she just be more disciplined, a better attitude, manageable. She would be a VI Reehana. She can sing just as well or even better....Get a good manager, Listen to your manager, keep working...Greatness is in you Monee
  • the way it is (26/05/2024, 20:41) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cindy was not the only person who advocated for a boycott to the music fest. The pastor who was chased off the grounds was very vocal as well .
  • HAHA (26/05/2024, 21:05) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Night one was a flop because nobody cares for the performers. It's just like every other event. The level of performers will determine how many people will attend. Like you can already book a packed house for Machel Montano for the village.
  • BuzzBvi (26/05/2024, 21:12) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    If a hundred people go. That is $6500 per person to putbon that concert. Expensive tickets thwn if we expecting a return on investment. 200 or 300 do the matha. Lot of money being given away by the people of VI to a few friends and family.
  • Lb (26/05/2024, 22:09) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Last night did not have even 600 persons! Yall need to stop! Even more importantly, you had less than 100 tourists and all of them were from USVI! This event has failed to bring in any significant revenue to our economy! Fail! This event has a goal of drawing tourists in not to get local people to come out to party. You all are missing the point greatly!
  • Slow one day (27/05/2024, 00:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watch me work babie!
  • BuzzBvi (27/05/2024, 07:22) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Would it be cheaper just to pay for tickets and flights for people to travel to see artists of their choice in other countries. Beyonce tickets are as low as $100 + Flight $800. If Government includes a little food we could all go where we want for a $1000.
  • WHAT!!!! (27/05/2024, 09:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVITB&FC Must well have known that we already three significant events taking place this weekend.
    Everyone knows that economically times are hard and we all have to think long and hard about how we spend our little extra money, if we even have any.
    Putting this event on this weekend was a very very poor decision, so poor in fact that there must have been another agenda.
  • onlooker (27/05/2024, 10:47) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    They didn't make the money they envisioned..... but the bottom line is PEOPLE WENT OUT. If it was a paid weekend, it would have been better. Let's face it.... MAJORITY of the people here live paycheck to paycheck so they really can't attend a weekend of fete unless it's around their payday. Cindy trying a lil too hard and she can only control the minds of her household.
  • my2cents (27/05/2024, 12:03) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Whether you agree with them or not, if you want the BVI to succeed then you want these events to do well. And now the next year will be bigger because they started it with this one and can advertise & plan for the next one from now. Cindy & Cline's solutions to disagreement is always to throw away the baby with the bath water. To go scorched earth and burn everything alive. No one on Earth is batting 1.000% on their decisions & ideas. But once action for the BVI is being done we have to hope it does well, because we are the BVI. It's for us not for some other group of people.
  • Y'all Just Don't Get It (27/05/2024, 16:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not the time with the current global atmosphere to be promoting party party party it is a distraction from the reality of the time. The house is on fire but let me stop to put on lipstick and fix my wig. We are going to pay real BIG for this type of foolishness. All we are doing is promoting the robberies killings and low moral standards how will we survive.
  • H (28/05/2024, 12:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with some of the things she says, but not necessarily how she says them. Until she learns to get her points across without sounding bitter, r have an axe to grind, she will only be listened to and not followed. If she can make an honest change, Ill vote for her but as it stands, she's just an outspoken rebel grinding her axe.


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