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| Photo by Noel Thompson - Patrons
dancing at what was formerly called Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest
at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, Saturday, July 21, 2007. The
drink giant has withdrawn its support from the event. |
'Greatest
reggae show on Earth' to sizzle this summer
Adrian Frater, News Editor
As it has been doing for the past 16 years, Reggae Sumfest, dubbed
'the greatest reggae show on Earth', is poised to rock the Jamaican
musical landscape this summer with six nights of fabulous entertainment,
spanning July 13-19.
With the brief uncertainty which surfaced when Red Stripe declared
earlier this year that it would no longer be sponsoring live reggae
shows having very little or no impact, Summerfest Productions Limited,
the promoters of the annual festival, is now all set to go.
"We are on target with our preparations as things are basically
falling into place," said Summerfest's executive director,
Johnny Gourzong. "This is definitely going to be another fantastic
Reggae Sumfest."
In the true tradition of the festival, the promotes are now putting
together a strong contingent of local and international artistes
and according to Gourzong, no effort will be spared in ensuring
that Reggae Sumfest 2008 maintains it's enviable status as the world's
premier reggae festival.
Some of the major international reggae stars already confirmed
include ace deejay Buju Banton; top reggae crooner Beres Hammond
and Tarrus Riley; dancehall standouts Bounty Killer, Mavado, Beenie
Man, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man; and roots/rock/reggae
sensations Sizzla, Ritchie Spice, Etana, Queen Ifrika and Jah Cure.
As is customary, Reggae Sumfest will roll out a few foreign acts
to complement the local acts. Last Wednesday in New York, Gourzong
said he was in the final stages of signing rhythm and blues sensation,
Chris Brown, the indomitable Akon and Keyshia Cole.
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