Three-Day Music Fest back on the beach!
Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, Events Coordinator Rhodni Skelton confirmed the move, and noted that the new Cane Garden Bay Music Festival Committee recognised that what separated the VI’s Music Fest from that of other countries was the fact that it was held on the beach.
The location of the stage this year will be opposite the cemetery area almost in the water, with the stage facing Quito’s. The prizes for tickets have also been reduced and will cost $20 in advance and $25 after. He disclosed that everything else will remain the same including the shuttle service.
Skelton said even the BVI Tourist Board surveys have shown that tourists, who visit specifically for the three day fest, prefer it on the beach rather than the enclosed area where it was held for the past three years.
With the reduction in Government funding from $300K to only $150K, Skelton is hoping that with more support from the private sector, the event can return to its glory days when thousands would flock the Territory just for the festival with hotels filled, restaurants and other service industries fully utilised thus bringing back millions of dollars in direct revenue into the country.
“This is a national event, it benefits the entire BVI, without this event people will suffer with the state of the world’s economy, we are appealing to the private sector to help us pull it off,” he said nothing that a variety of businesses in the Territory benefits from the vast influx of tourists who come for the event.Skelton also explained that this year, the Committee will also be offering live feeds of the event and he encourages business owners to get on board as well where it can be done at their bars.
Asked if such a move will minimise the presence of actual patrons at the show, Skelton said it will not as persons would want to see their favourite artists performing on stage and even more so, the hotels, bars and the restaurants will also get business as the plan is to drive revenue into all aspects of the economy.
The tentative Line Up
Skelton further disclosed that the music festival will even go back to its regular formatting where the Friday night will be a soca show, Saturday will feature hip hop and reggae and Sunday R and B and soul.
Each night there will be one main international act while the event will feature a VI All Star Segment produced by Marcus Marks of Virgin Gorda. Skelton disclosed that the show will include the likes of Lincoln Ward, Quida, Shine I and Macabee. Regional bands expected are Red Eye Band out of St. Croix, Junior P and Nyora.He also said they are working to get Iyaz to perform as well with his group ODB while they are currently waiting to hear back from Melanie Amaro.
While he could not give formal confirmation of the international acts, which he said will be formally announced shortly, the Events Coordinator said for the Friday night they are looking at either having Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, Rupee and Cheesy or El A Kru of Antigua.
For Saturday they are looking at Third World or Gramps Morgan while on Sunday, it may be R and B singer Joe, Ginuwine or D’Angelo.
The current committee comprises President Carnel Cline, Events Manager Rhodni Skelton, Technical personnel Neville Smith, Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer O’Neal, and VIP Coordinator Neil Cline.
Persons interested in being part of the festival and supporting can contact Skelton at 1-284-541-1941.
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