St. Kitts Music Festival Guide 2023

St. Kitts Music Festival

TO THE SUMMER BEAT Sway

FREE 3-NIGHT TICKETS

TO THE ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

22 - 24 June 2023

Over the years, the St. Kitts stage has welcomed global icons Lionel Richie, Ashanti, Aswad, Maxi Priest, Goo Goo Dolls, and more—and this year’s lineup is sure to be just as impressive.

Join us in St. Kitts for three irresistible summer nights of calypso, soca, R&B, and reggae. Travellers arriving for the music festival can enjoy free 3-night festival tickets, return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, 7-nights accommodation from 21 -28 June with daily breakfast, and return airport transfers from £1,065 pp* when booking with Sackville Travel.

TO BOOK, CALL 020.7274.2242

22-24 JUNE

06. MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

08. ABOUT ST. KITTS

14. A LOOK BACK AT ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2022

22. ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS + FULL ARTISTS LINE UP

30. ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL FRINGE EVENTS

Publisher & Editor Joseph Charles. Sub Editor Katie Segal.

Words Radeya Osman, Latoya Jones & St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Pictures Createone Media & St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Published by Soca News Ltd, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A

Telephone + 44 (0) 333 012 4643; Email info@socanews. com; Website www.socanews.com.

The views expressed in this guide are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. All material contained within this publication is the copyright of Soca News. No material, written or photographic may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publisher. No liability will be accepted for any errors which may occur within the publicatipon. © 2023 Soca News. All rights reserved.

Hon. Marsha T. Henderson Minister of Tourism, Labour, Civil Aviation and Urban Development

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

St. Kitts Music Festival

As we develop tourism in St. Kitts, we promise to provide an authentic and enriching experience that will allow you to fully immerse yourself in our beautiful island. We want you to connect with the culture, island vibe and our incredible Kittitian people, and nothing showcases St. Kitts’ warm welcome better than our annual events.

This year is an exceptional year to visit as we have a packed calendar of events and celebrations. The Music Festival is a highlight of our ‘Summer of Fun’, and we are particularly excited about this year’s event. It will be the 25th anniversary and promises to be bigger, better and bolder than ever. We can’t wait to welcome performers Chronixx, Koffee, Govana, Skillibeng, Air Supply, Valiant, Patrice Roberts, Skinny Fabulous, Byron Messia and GrandMasters Band plus others to our stage as we celebrate music, life, love, sunshine, good times, dancing and being together.

The outdoor venue is stunning, and the atmosphere is electric. You’ll love the sizzling entertainment and performances and our delicious local food and drinks scene, influenced by the new Kittitians leading the way in modern rum production and mixology.

If you can’t make it here for the Music Festival, why not be here for St. Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week in July, Caribbean Premier League T20 Cricket in August, our 40th Anniversary of Independence celebrations in September or the amazing St. Kitts Carnival, our “Sugar Mas”? Our carnival is an unmatched six weeks, which includes the Christmas and New Year’s holidays of fun and festivities..

Visitors to St. Kitts are always wowed by our island’s natural beauty, rich history and exceptional Kittitian hospitality. Join us this year for a spectacular celebration of Caribbean culture.

ST. KITTS

Set between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, St. Kitts offers a vibrant culture, tropical landscapes, gorgeous beaches and a dazzling series of festivals and events where the celebrations take place from sun-filled days to sizzling nights.

It may be one-half of the smallest country in the Western hemisphere, but St. Kitts packs a punch. There are adventures around every corner, from the exciting culinary scene to thrilling adrenalin activities, a burgeoning rum scene spearheaded by a new generation of cool Kittitians, and endless hot nights to dance to soca, reggae and A-list musicians under the moonlight.

HISTORY, CULTURE & ADVENTURE

Visitors to St. Kitts can discover the island’s past at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also steeped in history is the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last of its kind in the Caribbean.

St. Kitts is home to the oldest surviving rum distillery in the Caribbean, the Old Road Distillery, which dates back to 1681. The distillery is being given a new lease of life as the home of the hip Old Road Rum Company.

Adventurers can hike up the dormant volcano of Liamuiga, taking in some of the island’s stunning ecosystems, including rolling cloud forest. Fans of watersports can enjoy snorkelling, diving and sailing, and adrenaline junkies can reach 80km an hour on a zipline set amongst the lush rainforest.

St. Kitts is carving out a sensational Caribbean culinary and drinks scene.

Passionate chefs are creating seasonal dishes bursting with island flavours. Whether it’s fresh-off-the-boat seafood with locally grown produce or the traditional weekend island stews , there’s lots to tuck into during your stay.

St. Kitts serves up something special in a variety of stunning settings - historic stone walls of an old sugar plantation, rainforest dining for a farm-to-table harvest feast, private dining cabana at a 5-star resort or the laid-beach bars for the perfect sunset views.

The new ‘Kittitian RumMaster’ programme sees renowned Kittitian rum producers lead a day of touring, teaching and tastings. There is also the Liamuiga Natural Farm experience, which take visitors high into the rainforest for a fantastic feast with stunning views.

SUMMER OF FUN

The ‘Summer of Fun’ will see festivities on both St. Kitts and Nevis, with Nevis Mango Festival (30 June–2 July), St. Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week (13–23 July), Nevis Culturama (27 July–8 Aug) and Caribbean Premier League Cricket (23–27 Aug) all taking place in 2023.

St. Kitts Music Festival (22-24 June) is the star of sum-mertime, an unforgettable cultural and musical phenomenon. The festival will bring superstar musicians, visitors and locals out for an on-your-feet celebration of exhilarating performances. There will be no time to rest, with a myriad of on island experiences on offer, too, including lunchtime concerts, beach and boat parties, and much more.

As summer ends, the celebrations for the island’s 40th Anniversary of Independence will start, and the end of the year will see a six-week fiesta of colour, parties and good times for the St. Kitts Carnival, aka ‘Sugar Mas’.

St. Kitts is easily reached from London; British Airways flies twice weekly from Gatwick. For more information, visit www.visitstkitts.com and www. ba.com/stkitts.

OF FUN summer

Where summer’s warmth shines brighter, burns bolder—new and exciting adventures promise to spark an appetite for adventure. St. Kitts’ lineup of events offer the chance to explore and excite, from savoring the region’s cuisine to dancing to soca and reggae under the moonlight. Send your clients to St. Kitts this summer—where every day is a priceless memory, waiting to be made.

JUNE 22-24

St. Kitts Music Festival

JUNE 30 - JULY 2

JULY 27 - AUGUST 8

Nevis Culturama

AUG 23-27

Nevis Mango Festival

JULY 13-23

St. Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week

Caribbean Premier League Cricket VISITSTKITTS.COM

A LOOK BACK AT SKMF 2022

The St. Kitts Music Festival returned in June 2022 after two years of coronavirus-mandated absence. From the first note, it was as though the festival had never gone away. The threeday extravaganza on the scenic and historic island of St. Kitts featured an incredible variety of music, from soca to RnB to hip hop to dancehall to reggae.

The festival ran from Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 June, 2022, and featured artists such as Destra Garcia, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Voice, Rucas H.E., Dejour, Ashanti, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Keyshia Cole, Jada Kingdom and Popcaan.

That starry line-up proves that this is one festival you should put on your travel list. The next few pages are devoted to some of the highlights from the 2022 edition of the festival.

To keep up to date with all the news about St. Kitts Music Festival 2023, visit www.socanews.com. To learn more about the island, go to www.visitstkitts.com.

St. Kitts Music Festival

SKN MUSIC

MUSIC FESTIVAL

St. Kitts Music Festival

St. Kitts Music Festival

JUNE

ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

A spectacular line-up of musical acts will greet visitors to St. Kitts for the 25th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, taking place from 22-24 June 2023 with a weekend of soul, soca, jazz, R&B, reggae and more.

Internationally-renowned performers will include Chronixx, Koffee, Govana, Skillibeng, Air Supply, Valiant, Patrice Roberts, Skinny Fabulous, Byron Messiah plus many other acts.

“For more than two decades, the St. Kitts Music Festival has anchored the island’s position as a music centre of the Caribbean. The mix of internationally-renowned artists and exceptional regional and local talent draws visitors from around the globe to St. Kitts,” said Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, International Transport, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Employment, and Labour. “The weekend of events becomes more spectacular every year, and each year delivers a tremendous positive impact on our local economy.”

One of the most diverse musical events in the Caribbean, the 25th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival draws A-list musicians, island visitors, and locals for an on-your-feet celebration of exhilarating live music at the Warner Park Stadium. Spanning six days, this popular festival gets bigger and better every year, thanks to across-the-island experiences, including lunchtime concerts with local musicians, beach parties, boat rides, and more.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors back for the top musical event in the Caribbean,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “Summertime in St. Kitts is full of celebrations and events that showcase the island’s welcoming spirit, local culture and vibrant energy. There is no event better than the Music Festival to jumpstart our Summer of Fun.”

St. Kitts Music Festival

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

KES THE BAND

KES The Band, led by Kees Dieffenthaller, is an award-winning soca band from Trinidad and Tobago. KES has gained popularity internationally for songs including Hello, Jolene, and Mood.

MR. BAGNALL

A St. Kitts soca artist, a Groovy Soca Monarch, known for songs such as Carn Miss It, Gym Jam and De Stage

NICHA B

Nicha Calandre Byron or Nicha B, a past Groovy Soca Monarch winner, has given us songs such as Can’t Wait and We Miss That

STADICS

Stadics is the man behind De Cowbell and Official Fetter

AKAILUSWEET

Akailusweet is a soca artist from St. Kitts. Some of his well-known songs include Warming Up, and Pon Di Tip.

KOLLISION BAND

Kollision Band is a Kittitian band known for songs such as Back It Up and Rampage.

SMALL AXE BAND

Small Axe Band aka Sweetest Band In The World, will have you jamming to Send It Back and Drop De Soap.

GRAND MASTERS BAND

Grand Masters Band is a soca band from St. Kitts. They are known for songs Outside Again, Grimey and Bounce It

NU VYBES

Nu Vybes Band International is a soca band from St. Kitts, with songs such as Lion Paw, Nah Beg Friend and Sell Up

KES THE BAND

Led by Kees Dieffenthaller, KES is an award-winning soca band from Trinidad and Tobago, which has gained popularity internationally for their songs including Hello, Jolene, and Mood.

NAILAH BLACKMAN

Nailah Blackman is a soca artist from Trinidad who has made steady and positive strides in her music since she came on the scene. Some of her songs are Bodum Bodum, Teknique and Come Home.

SKINNY FABULOUS

A Vincentian whose birth name is Gamal Doyle, Skinny has popular songs such as Famalay, Watch Thing, and Up & Up.

PATRICE ROBERTS

The Trinidadian soca artist had one of her biggest hits with Mind My Business, and is also known for Sweet Fuh Days and Like It Hot

RICARDO DRUE

Antiguan artist Ricardo is known for Vagabond, Professional and Toxic Love.

PREEDY

Akeem Chance, or Preedy, is a soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago. Some of his well-known songs are Say Yeah, Veteran and Lost & Found.

DEXTER DAPS

Dexta Daps, birth name Louis Grandison, is a reggae and dancehall artist from Jamaica. Some of his hit songs are Shabba Madda Pot, Call Me If and Forever.

St. Kitts Music Festival

FRIDAY 23 JUNE

SKILLIBENG

Emwah Warmington, ‘Skillibeng’, is a Jamaican dancehall artist known for Crocodile Teeth, Brik Pan Brik and Whap Whap. He has worked with artists including Vybz Kartel, DJ Khaled, Sean Paul, Nicki Minaj, Wizkid and Popcaan.

FULL ARTIST LINE-UP

313 FAMILY

313 Family is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall group consisting of three members; Addi, Gotti and Blackman. They are known for songs New World Order and More Than Music

BYRON MESSIA

Born Dylan Byron, is a Jamaican-born Kittitian artist. He’s known for songs including Talibans, Garrison Above and Vent.

SKILLIBENG

Emwah Warmington, Skillibeng is a Jamaican dancehall artist known for Crocodile Teeth, Brik Pan Brik and Whap Whap. He has worked with artists including Vybz Kartel, DJ Khaled, Sean Paul, Nicki Minaj, Wizkid and Popcaan.

CHRONIXX

Jamar Rolando McNaughton, Chronixx is a Jamaican reggae artist known for popular songs such as Here Comes Trouble, Smile Jamaica and Never Give Up.

KOFFEE

Koffee, born Mikayla Victoria Simpson, is a Grammy Award-winning Jamaican reggae artist. Signed to Columbia Records, she is known for popular songs including Toast, Gimme and Rapture

ANTHONY B

Anthony B, born Keith Anthony Blair, is a Jamaican DJ and reggae artist. Some of hsi hits are World of Reggae Music, Raid The Barn and Back To Normal

GOVANA

Born Romeo Nelson, Govana, aka Deablo, is a Jamaican dancehall artist with songs including 1Matik, Champ and Eternal Life

St. Kitts Music Festival

SATURDAY 24 JUNE AIR SUPPLY

Air Supply is an Australian soft-rock duo, made up of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. Some of their most acclaimed songs are All Out Of Love, Lost In Love and Making Love Out Of Nothing At All.

ROMAIN VIRGO

Is a Jamaican reggae artist known for his soulful voice, and hit songs such as Soul Provider, Good Woman and Driver

ERICA EDWARDS

Is a female vocalist from St. Kitts. She has collaborated with fellow Kittian artist, Dejour.

VALIANT

The Jamaican artist is known for Speed Off, Insomnia and North Carolina.

AIR SUPPLY

Air Supply is an Australian soft-rock duo, made up of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. Some of their most acclaimed songs are All Out Of Love, Lost In Love and Making Love Out Of Nothing At All.

BURNA BOY

Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu MFR, is a Nigerian singer songwriter who has chalked up multiple BET and Grammy awards. He has released international hits such as Ye, On The Low and Last Last.

TEEJAY

Teejay, born Timoy Janeyo Jones, is a dancehall artist from Montego Bay, Jamaica. He’s known for his versatile style, and has given us Uptop Boss, From Rags To Riches and Drift

GRAMPS MORGAN

Gramps Morgan, born Roy Morgan, is a reggae artist from Jamaica. He’s known for solo songs such as A Moon to Remember, A Woman Like You and People Like You, and is also a member of the reggae band Morgan Heritage.

VE N T U R E D E E P E R

In St. Kitts, each and every moment unfurls naturally—from the gentle tug of low tide sending waves to the shore and back, to the glow of a rising sun illuminating Mt. Liamuiga’s peak. Immerse your senses like never before, embarking on a journey across lush rainforests, glittering oceans, and pristine beaches. Indulge your curiosity as you discover the unexpected wonders that the island has to o er. British Airways flies to St. Kitts twice per week from London Gatwick.

MORE RHYTHM MORE ENERGY, MORE

music

Over the years, the St. Kitts Music Festival stage has welcomed global icons Lionel Richie, Ashanti, Aswad, Maxi Priest, Goo Goo Dolls, and more—and 2024’s lineup is sure to be just as impressive. Prepare for three heart-stopping summer nights of calypso, soca, R&B, and reggae performed live and under the stars next year in St. Kitts.

SAVE THE DATE ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL 27-29 JUNE 2024