658 Fest sets the stage for gospel, large events

Jamaica’s gospel community is singing praises of Kevin Downswell Ministries and Clearsound Production Services, as well as the entertainers who performed on the 658 Fest stage last Saturday. The Christian music festival is the latest in a string of large events that received the required permits and managed to adhere to protocols on execution.

Basillia Barnaby-Cuff, who played the role of emcee, called the event “a healing experience”. “It was a great feeling to be outside, and I think, especially for those present to see it up close, it was an entirely new experience because of the kind of setting. The organisers really pulled out all the stops,” she told The Gleaner.

Barnaby-Cuff explained that social distancing for concerts, whether secular or gospel, is not normal, and though it is expected that it will take time for some people to adjust, she observed cooperation and positive reaction from the patrons who turned out at the spacious Police Officer’s Club for 658 Fest. Along with the production staff, she said, the number hit 500.

“As the first major gospel event to have a physical stage since COVID-19 made its way here, I had no idea it would have been so amazing. I was happy to be part of the production that provided an opportunity for persons to witness first-hand that we can have events even with a pandemic going on, as long as we strictly adhere to protocols,” she said. “Families, various groups, were sitting in designated boxed areas, and individuals could be seen having a good time, dancing, jumping and worshipping as if it was still pre-COVID times but still kept wearing their masks.”

FIRST MAJOR PERFORMANCE

Erica Lumsden, the 2021 Jamaica Gospel Star winner and one of the opening acts, said she had the time of her life, with 658 Fest being her first major performance since the competition. “It was awesome being there; I would definitely want to experience it again, whether performing or as a patron. I had the opportunity to meet some of Jamaica’s best, and the hosts were engaging,” she said.

Lumsden performed a cover of God Provides by Grammy Award-winning gospel artiste Tamela Mann and anticipates being a featured act for future concerts where she can offer more.

“Based on what I saw for myself, 658 Fest will be a musical staple in [the] cultural landscape of our country. The structure, the set-up, everything was impressive, and once that is maintained, there is no doubt we can have more shows like these,” Lumsden said.

Rhoda Isabella, who opened for Kevin Downswell, shared the same sentiment. “It has a great, high standard and set the stage for other gospel shows; we can only go higher. The event is shaping up music festivals for the gospel community, and for Jamaica in general,” the former background vocalist-turned-recording artiste said.

She performed crowd favourites like Church Medley and You Lift Me Up, and also included her reggae single My Philosophy. “The audience had already been fired up from the ministers who performed before me, but it was then [that] I saw the masses pulling closer. I selected those songs because they have the biggest listenership, but also, for my reggae song, I keep hearing that I don’t sing it enough, even from the secular fan base. It has a potent message, and it seeks to speak about things church people shy away from sharing,” she said.

Rhoda Isabella said that the attraction of gospel music could be described as possibly nostalgia. “The production was exceptional, one of the best productions I have been on. I’m proud of the standard amidst the COVID-19 protocols. Also, seeing where the pandemic affected my bookings and continues to, with all the curfew changes, it was simply wonderful to be there, and I’m happy to have been part of it, and you could see others were waiting for something like it, too,” she said.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com