Sumfest’s Good to Go
REGGAE Sumfest’s organisers are promising that this year’s week-long festival will be “bigger and better”.
“We’re definitely on,” Robert Russell, chairman of Summerfest Productions Limited — the promoters of Reggae Sumfest — told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Reggae Sumfest which is part sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board, is scheduled for Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, St James, on July 17-23, 2016.
Russell said he expects Sumfest to generate between US$7 and US$9 million for the economy of Montego Bay and its environs.
“That’s quite an achievement… It’s even bigger than Christmas. A lot of people depend on the festival to send their children back to school in September. The hotels, rental cars, taxis, craft vendors… everybody looks to Sumfest as it’s a big economic boost for Montego Bay and its environs,” he continued.
Earlier this year, another major annual music festival — Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival — was yanked off the calendar. No reason was given for the cancellation. However, in a statement, the organisers said they were using the year off to “to regroup and focus on planning”.
Russell said he and his team were looking at revamping their festival for it to remain hip and current.
“We’re looking at being innovative. We’ve been looking at changing the format of the three last night nights… we’re looking at shifting Dancehall Night and may shift or merge the International Nights.”
“We’ve been talking to a couple of big names, very impressive acts. But we haven’t signed anyone yet, so we can’t make an announcement.”
Started in 1993, Reggae Sumfest has been a major Jamaican festival and brings in tourists from all over the world.
“It’s the kinda festival that people come. Last year we had visitors from Russia. It’s usually brings in visitors from the diaspora, Europe and Japan. And people have grown accustomed to the quality of production.”
Since its inception, in addition to local acts, Sumfest has featured an array of international acts, including rapper TI, Common, Usher, Chris Brown, R Kelly, Ne-Yo, Mary J Blige, and Alicia Keys.
