Basseterre, St. Kitts- Nevis (April 18, 2007)
Chairman of the Marketing and Promotions Subcommittee for the St. Kitts Music Festival, Clement “˜Juni’ Liburd said the 11th annual staging of the show will meet and surpass expectations as a new decade of excellence is ushered in.
During an SKNIS interview, Liburd referred to the exciting lineup of artistes signed to date which includes Michael Bolton, Big Boi of Outkast, Ne-Yo, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Machel Montana, Steel Pulse and Lady Saw. He also mentioned the ambience of the top class venue ““ Warner Park as well as the variety of music genres and complementary activities staged around the event as ingredients for the continued success of the festival.
The Marketing and Promotions Chairman said there will be a number of changes this year, one of which features the event being reduced from four nights to three due to the declining attendance and revenue generation on the Sunday nights. Most visitors leave the island earlier that day to prepare for work on Monday.Thursday night June 21, will remain as Soca night. This night features the “jump and wave” music style of Caribbean bands. Friday June 22, features Reggae and Crap while Saturday is reserved for R&B, Hip Hop and Soul.
Chairman Liburd told SKNIS that the impact of the reduced nightly concerts should be moderate.
“I don’t think it will have such a big impact on the overall festival. A limited number of people will miss it because there are those who go on the Sunday nights,” he said, adding that this created an opportunity for greater input from a private source. “Some creative or innovative persons can plan a big beach splash from sun up to sun down to capitalize on the visitors who will be here.”
Liburd indicated that committee members were gearing up to promote the 2007 St. Kitts Music Festival in person in international markets. He revealed that Turn Key Productions ““ a regional marketing agency from Jamaica ““ is also assisting the St. Kitts – Nevis Tourism Authority with promotions.
“We feel that the time is right and we want to strike the iron while it is hot,” Liburd concluded.