Patrons Enjoying Sumfest

Arriving just after 4pm on Friday afternoon, Jamaica’s second city was a hive of activity and after every few paces the word on everyone’s lips was Sumfest, and it didn’t start there. While boarding the bus in Kingston for a 4 hour long drive to Montego Bay, the first thing the bus driver asked me was whether I was going to Reggae Sumfest or not. My answer was, of course, yes, and not surprisingly I wasn’t the only one heading to the much anticipated festival.

Despite the rain and inevitable muddy conditions, patrons came out in scores for Reggae Sumfest International Night #1 no doubt eager to see acts like Gyptian, Etana and Chris Brown. However, it wasn’t until a couple hours after the gates opened that the patrons came out in their numbers as only an hour or so after starting time, when we arrived, the ground were still rather scant.

Chris Brown Performing at Reggae Sumfest

My night was pretty much made with Chris Brown’s performance–it was all too evident the amount of effort he put into wowing the crowd with hit after hit and hard hitting dance move after dance move. Gyptian was also a crowd pleaser, and although I was looking forward to it, Etana’s performance was all too familiar–I felt like I had seen the very same thing two years ago, when I first saw her perform at the 2008 Reggae Sumfest.

Newcomer Hezron did pretty well for himself and was kind enough to pose for a photo with me while I unfortunately, missed Protoge’s performance.

With long band changes, and only a couple sterling performances, Reggae Sumfest International Night #1 was stolen by Chris Brown and his high energy, high impact crowd pleasing performance. There is no one that could have outdone him that night, and it was an incredible lack of foresight for the promoters not to allow his performance to end the show.

While Jah Cure performed his hits, and the crowd was told to get ready for Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel later on, only the dedicated fans and perhaps the press stayed on to see the show wrap up.

Patron Enjoying Gyptian's Performance

Although I’ve heard many regular patrons of the festival say this year’s three day Reggae Festivities was the best one yet, I can’t honestly come to that conclusion having only attended one night. However, I did have a terrific time, so terrific that I was little troubled by my muddy feet and the dewy night air. If I was promised another night of hassle free entry and exit to the Catherine Hall Grounds, Chris Brown’s and Gyptian’s performances as well as the wonderfully laid back atmosphere–I would definitely do the whole night, all over again.

Sumfest 2011? Can’t wait!

Popularity: 55% [?]

Category : Event
Location: Catherine Hall
Name: Reggae Sumfest Music Festival
Date: July 17-24, 2010
Address: Montego Bay, St. James
Phone: 876-953-5200
URL: http://reggaesumfest.com/
Average Ticket Price: $50 USD
Food at Venue: Yes
Ticket Sales: It is best to get tickets pre-sold at any of these locations; tickets are also sold at the gate.

Summer is the time for fun, sun and awesome melodies that make the season memorable. Every Summer, there are a plethora of high energy and highly anticipated Summer Music Festivals across the waters from Coachella in California to Glastonbury in the UK. However, in our vibrant little island home we rarely ever miss a beat–our very own 4 day Reggae Sumfest Music Festival is the Summer music highlight across the region, and this Summer 2010 that is no exception.

The Music

Be prepared for high energy acts and pitch perfect performances that will sway you through the night until morning. My trip to sumfest 2008 took me by complete surprise–I went completely unprepared with nothing but my ticket money and my two long hands. I stood for the entire night, not feeling blighted in the least as the music was fantastic and the turnout of music lovers surrounding me created nothing short of an easy going and at times rather entertaining atmosphere. In 2008, I attended International Night 1, and was lucky to see acts like Etana, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Lil’ Wayne and T-Pain who were all absolutely en pointe.

The Venue

Catherine Hall, St. James is at the heart of the capital, Montego Bay. The venue, like most music festival grounds, is wide open grassy space facing a stage setup. The venue will have tents and booths from sponsors, and vendors selling food and other niceties. The venue is well equipped with non-portable and portable bathrooms that are kept as clean as the guests allow it to be. There will be space to open up a portable chair, or spread a towel, but this is definitely not a tent pitching event.

What to Bring

• Bring your ticket, bring your vibes and leave the contraband someplace far away.
• Take a chair or a blanket to rest your feet between sets, or if you’re hardcore like me you can stand it out!
• Don’t forget your camera to capture those special moments.
• Dress for comfort. Dress for the chance of cold, and dress for the chance of rain. No stilettos or frilly dresses; if it rains there will be mud, and if there is mud it will be on your shoes and possibly, your frilly dress.

At The Event

You’re in Jamaica, so expect the unexpected, or even in some cases the infamously expected. You may see men selling Marijuana in plain view of police [I sure did], but remember, Marijuana and pretty much all other drugs are illegal in all 14 parishes of Jamaica. You may not see the man being harrassed for selling the weed, and you may even see others purchasing from him scotch free–but you mightn’t be so lucky–so be wise and be careful!

You will be searched before entering the venue, so again, leave the weapons and drugs someplace far away.

Be early–don’t listen to what people say about “Jamaica Time” Sumfest opens its gates at 7:30pm and the Show will start at 8:00pm–so don’t be late or you’ll miss your favourite acts.

There is always a chance of rain, especially in the late night into early morning, so come prepared because even if it rains the show must, and will definitely go on!

Having never been to any other Summer Music event outside of the region, Sumfest has become my highly anticipated Summer music fest. So Believe me when I say, you will have fun and you will tell all your friends: Hope to see you there!

Popularity: 73% [?]