Events
REGGAE SUNSPLASH RETURNS August 3-6, 2006, to Ocho Rios, Jamaica
By BALDWIN S.A. HOWE
Jul 15, 2006, 4:55pm

Beenieman for Sunsplash 2006

REGGAE SUNSPLASH RETURNS THIS YEAR(2006

The recent announcement that Jamaica’s pioneering and former premier reggae music festival, “REGGAE SUNSPLASH”, will make its re-emergence this year is the most welcomed news reverberating in the national entertainment firmament in a very long time.  The one time Synergy Productions’ produced annual event which became the launching pad for reggae music to be recognised worldwide lasted for an undisturbed 21 years before its demise in 1999.  Its resurrection is really no surprise as it has always been the feeling that one day it would return to reclaim its rightful place on the Jamaican entertainment calendar.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF “SUNSPLASH”

            “REGGAE SUNSPLASH”, Jamaica’s first Reggae music festival was created in the summer of 1978 by Synergy Productions.  The first staging of the event was held at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, St James. The event was held annually thereafter.  In 1996 a new promotions entity acquired the ownership of “Reggae Sunsplash.”  This new company became Reggae Sunsplash International, (RSI).  1999 was the last time that Reggae Sunsplash was held in Jamaica.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING “SUNSPLASH’S RESURRECTION

Now a news release emanating from EWA Communications on March 8, has announced that, “WORLD RENOWNED REGGAE SUNSPLASH IS BACK, BIGGER AND BETTER.”   It further states that, “Reggae Sunsplash”, the music festival that showcased the best of Jamaican music, culture and talents to the world is back with plans of hosting the biggest Reggae festival yet to be seen in Jamaica.”

          It is understood that “Reggae Sunsplash ‘06” is scheduled to take place from August 3- 6, and will deliver an awesome and explosive line-up; a new, magnificent location and four days of unprecedented music and cultural extras.  It is thought that the event is poised to once again elevate Reggae music to extraordinary heights and will give the fans of Reggae music worldwide the best that the Jamaican music industry has to offer.

          The current owner of the “Reggae Sunsplash” brand name, Kenny Benjamin, has been quoted to say he was very excited to have brought together some of the island’s top entertainment producers to put together a show that is already creating a buzz in the national and international arenas.  So electrifying is the interest in “Reggae Sunsplash ‘06” that national telecommunications giant, Cable and Wireless immediately signed on as one of the event’s major sponsors.  Also top artistes from around the world have already signed up to perform, while others are still clamouring to be included in the current line-up.

          In an effort to keep its world renown reputation of integrity and superb high standard, “Reggae Sunsplash ‘06” will be offering four nights of music that will showcase the entire range of the Reggae music genre.  This will unfold over four nights of music which will encompass, Dancehall, Worldbeat, International, and Singers nights. 

          It is interesting to note that some of the music’s most popular and controversial acts of the day, such as, BEENIE MAN, BOUNTY KILLA, ELEPHANT MAN, WAYNE MARSHALL, among many others are already contracted to perform.  Yes, this festival of festivals will also be showcasing such greats as, FREDDIE MC GREGOR, MORGAN HERITAGE, DIANA KING, and the cool ruler, GREGORY ISAACS.  Acts operating outside of Jamaica but who are also major Reggae music icons in their own right such as the legendary STEEL PULSE, WYCLEF JEAN, UB40, and MAXI PRIEST, just to name a few are also slated to make appearances.

NEW, PERMANENT VENUE

          Much is also being said about the venue of “Reggae Sunsplash ‘06”, which is said to be a new one situated at Richmond Estate, in Priory, St. Ann.  This location is a 200 hundred acre property, which boasts the magnificent Blue Mountains as its backdrop and the crystal turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea as its foreground.  Patrons will be offered this incredible vista to enjoy the special, unique culture of Jamaica. Richmond Estate has the capacity to hold 150,000 persons in the main show area and 20,000 vehicles in its car park.  This, it is said, allows for minimal impact of intrusion on the surrounding communities, as well as the festival’s patrons whose vehicles will be completely and comfortably enclosed within the venue’s confines. This unique feature will be a first for any large concert venue in Jamaica.

          2006, being the year of, “Sunsplash’s” re-birth the organizers have also decided to add some extras for the benefit and comfort of its patrons.  There will be some designated areas designed to accommodate the playing of dominoes, games for Children and other family activities. Art. Craft and souvenir villages will be built; sky boxes and tiered seating will also be erected.  Another extra special feature to be introduced in Jamaica for the first time will be the establishment of two main stages designed in an amphitheatre-like setting which the organizers say will abolish production pauses which occur during band/set changes.  There will also be numerous large DVD/Video screens scattered on the grounds along with the latest in surround sound technology to offer the best in audio and visual enjoyment to the patrons.  Security is also a very important ingredient of the production company’s strategy to maintain strict crowd control to safeguard the health and safety of those persons attending the event.

          The global brand name, “Reggae Sunsplash” has played a major role in the development of Jamaica’s popular music including the now fully evolved, Dancehall genre.  It is no co-incidence that after Bob Marley, “Reggae Sunsplash” is certainly Jamaica and the music’s second most famous brand name.  Over the years “Reggae Sunsplash” has toured, North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, exposing the genre and the artistes to the world.  The “Reggae Sunsplash” tours soon evolved into a travelling music festival with a deeper cultural dimension manifested by an assortment of arts, crafts and food on display and sale in numerous venues. This phenomenon generated record breaking international patronage.  It remains the largest ‘live’ exponent of Reggae music and the only Reggae festival to have toured the world.

          REGGAE TIMES looks forward, with great anticipation, for the return of “REGGAE SUNSPLASH” to the national and international entertainment scenes.