Bogdanovich confident in Sumfest structure
Published:Friday | July 8, 2016 | 5:01 PM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Reggae Sumfest's new owner, Joseph Bogdanovich, had a number of piercing questions for guests at the launch party of the 2016 festival at the Iberostar Suites in Montego Bay, St James, on Wednesday night.
"Do Jamaicans not know that their music is popular, revered and loved all across the globe?" he asked. "Do they not know that when you have Tarrus Riley, Sanchez, Busy Signal, Barrington Levy and the 'Don Dadda' himself, Super Cat on Reggae Night? We are talking about top international Jamaican acts that fill large concert halls, festivals and stadiums all over the world." he queried.
Reggae Night closes the festival on Saturday, July 23.
Coupled with that, on the always heavily attended Dancehall Night, Popcaan, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Romain Virgo, Spice, Ishawna, who play all over the world, and a number of younger artistes like Massicka, Jameil, Vershon, Ryme Minista are worth celebrating, Bogdanovich said. Dancehall Night is on Friday, July 22.
"Then we have something new we are introducing, which is The Sound Explosion (on Thursday, July 21) with Stone Love, Metro Media with Sky Juice, Black Kat and Pieces. And then, of course, we will have the likes of Tony Matterhorn and Fire Links at it again, where anything can happen. I'm talking about good times and fireworks that will be remembered," Bogdanovich said.
A TOUCH OF CLASS
Excited about the prospects of the show which can now officially state it is a true reggae festival, Bogdanovich also spoke about Blitz, The All-White Party, which he said will add a touch of class at Pier 1 on July 19.
Then, there is the Beach Party at Aquasol Theme Park, hosted by Miss Kitty and Yanique the 'Curvy Diva', starting the festival on Sunday, July 17.
Some 40 stalls serving delicious Jamaican cuisine complete the event, which this year has upgraded its streaming capabilities with 360 Virtual Reality filming. "This is the first reggae festival to be done like this. When people ask me how will this festival compete with European reggae festivals that attract 20,000 to 40,000 people, I tell them that we are targeting 50 million fans through this revolutionary technology that is transforming media. We in Jamaica are now a part of this revolution at Reggae Sumfest, Brand Jamaica," said Bogdanovich.