by Curlan Campbell
- Grenada Caribbean Music Festival held on Saturday, 22 June
- High-octane performances by Grenada’s talents
- Pure Grenada Music Festival cancelled in 2019
The Grenada Caribbean Music Festival (GCMF), organised by Silversands, generated a lot of excitement on Saturday, 22 June and lived up to the expectations of hundreds of colourfully dressed patrons scattered across Port Louis Lawn.
The day’s forecast predicted less than 30% chance of rainfall, but the rain held up just enough throughout most of the evening to allow fans to enjoy the music, food, and bliss. After the 4th edition of the Pure Grenada Music Festival was cancelled in 2019, people have been eager for an event that celebrates Grenadian and Caribbean music. I arrived early to explore the venue before the performances, but I missed the Lion Pride Percussions drummers, who, I was told, set the tone for the festival for early arrivals.
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Sabrina Francis, a rising star in Afro-Caribbean Pop, kicked off the Main stage. With the backing of The Treehouse Band, she delivered captivating renditions of popular hits like “Mama Say” and “Cocoa Tea.” She offered a sneak peek of unreleased tracks from her highly anticipated EP slated to launch later this year, “Meet Me Under The Mango Tree.”
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One of the many things I enjoyed about the festival was the seamless transition from the main stage to the vibes stage. Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra serenaded the crowd on the Vibes stage, and then the audience’s attention was brought back to the main stage, where MC DJ Shortleg prepared the crowd for Jeverson Ramirez. Ramirez, with dual roles of featured act and lead performer of the festival, effortlessly transitioned into his performance, starting with “Somethin’ in the Water.” His performance was truly stellar, and the crowd felt his energy and passion. With “Pray for Your Son,” Jeverson recognised mothers who grieve the loss of their children and paid special tribute to the mother of Jonty Robinson, who met his untimely death on 17 June 2023.
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Rising urban reggae artist sensation A#keem (Akeem David Abraham) delivered some thought-provoking lyrics that spoke to the realities of today. He set the stage for the dynamic entrance of Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter Lila Iké. Iké’s commanding vibrations of the electric guitar from her One Wurl Band, resonated across the venue. She effortlessly grabbed the attention of the excited audience, witnessing her inaugural performance in Grenada. She sang “He Loves Us Both,” a collaboration with Grammy-winning artist H.E.R, “Thy Will,” “Where I’m Coming From,” and “I Spy,” just to name a few.
The event moved to the Vibes stage, where soca acts Runi Jay and Superflying Flint hyped up the crowd in anticipation of Patrice Roberts’ dynamic main stage performance. Backed by her A-Team Band, Roberts delivered classic songs “Good” (Ole Ting Riddim), “Old And Grey,” “Mind My Business,” and “Anxiety,” among others, moving into the crowd to close off her set despite the rain.
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Mr Killa brought down the curtains on this year’s music festival, delivering an epic theatrical performance with the aid of traditional masqueraders. He allowed the audience to join in and form a congo line, instructing them to remove the barricade that separated General from General Plus ticket holders. His rendition of his 2019 mega-hit “Run Wid It” eventually led the audience to pick up chairs and branches and run with them as Mr Killa came off stage and joined the revelry in the rain.
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I have attended other music festivals, but this event’s vibrant atmosphere and variety of food and drink options allowed patrons to take advantage of the picnic feel: sitting, eating, relaxing, and chatting. Coupled with high-octane performances by Grenada’s talents, which filled me with pride, this event was an unforgettable experience. Despite intermittent rain, the Grenada Caribbean Music Festival was the right place to be, as it successfully and beautifully combined music, culture, and community. Hats off to the organisers.
Grenada
In what world is one show with one stage on one day considered a music “festival”
Grenada