High profile entertainment events for young Jamaica are few and far between. The July 9 Youth Music Zone (YMZ) at the National Stadium breaks that drought.

Last Tuesday, during its launch at the Jamaica Pegasus, organiser Dave Lindsay said the idea for the show came from his daughter, based on her research into the lack of entertainment for the 13-18 age group.

“Jamaica is lacking in entertainment that the kids of that age group can enjoy. It is mostly adult stage shows that we have here in Jamaica. The kids will be able to partake in the fun activities that we will have ready for them,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

According to Lindsay, there will be an arcade where traditional games like marbles and jacks are played. He and his team are tapping into the psyche of this cohort with the choice of acts.

“Kids are set to have a blast with the artistes we have chosen. R5 is the number one pop/rock band from Disney. If you check out their music, you will know that their music is full of fun and that’s what kids like… fun.”

Formed in 2009, R5 includes three brothers: guitarist/vocalist Rocky Lynch, guitarist/vocalist Ross Lynch, and bassist/vocalist Riker Lynch, along with their keyboardist/vocalist sister Rydel Lynch. Raised in Colorado, the siblings eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where they met drummer Ellington Ratliff, who rounds out the line-up.

The YMZ team has drawn on a number of popular local acts to complement R5. Heading the list is deejay Don Andre, currently riding high on the hit song and dance Tom Cruise.

Voicemail and Bling Dawg are also on the roster.

— Richard Johnson