Brands moving from stage shows * Big acts on Extravaganza 2015

As he is in the process of organising the 15th staging of his GT Taylor Extravaganza, slated for Christmas Day, at Independence Park, Black River, St Elizabeth, GT Taylor is facing a sponsorship deficit.

Although BOOM energy drink has returned as major sponsor, Taylor said the event could benefit from more corporate support.

"I don't know what is happening these days where sponsors are concerned. I have to give nuff thanks to Wisynco (BOOM producers) for being on board and sticking with it. But, where stage shows are concerned, I think sponsors are drifting. No matter how good the event is, they are not supporting," Taylor said.

It is a vastly different situation from the middle of the previous decade, when a number of stage shows in Jamaica enjoyed significant corporate support. A number of noted events, including East Fest, Reggae Campfire and Follow Di Arrow, have since faded.

Taylor is not the only stage show organiser to complain about lack of corporate support. Supreme Promotions, organiser of Sting, held on Boxing Day, also recently pointed out it is facing a similar situation.

Taylor has identified what he believes to be a major issue in the changing corporate stance.

"There is a new trend where these brand managers are concerned. The older brand managers used to be in the streets more, so they know what events the people are going at. But, these brand managers these days, I am seeing they are more gravitating to parties," Taylor said.

Already signed on for this year's event are Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Ninja Man, I-Octane, Freddie McGregor, Eek-a-Mouse, Popcaan, Khago, Bugle, Ken Boothe, Ikaya, Romain Virgo, and the California-based Bobby Tenor, with other names to be announced. The sound systems are Bass Odyssey, Renaissance and GT Aggregation, with Ruff Kut as the backing band.