Promoter expects record turnout for Sumfest

With the sales for the second round of early bird tickets for this year's Reggae Sumfest going fast, organisers are expecting a record turnout for their 25th anniversary staging.

In a recent interview with THE STAR, Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Reggae Sumfest, said that tickets sales for this year are going well and explained that the demand has been so great that they have had to make available a second batch of early bird tickets.

The latter are on sale now and will be available until midnight on March 31. Tickets available for purchase are general and VIP admission for nights one and two, as well as tickets for pre-events/post events, including Colorfest Beach Party, Street Dance, All-White Party, The Blitz Party, The World Clash, featuring Irish & Chin 20th Anniversary and Morning Medz After Party.

Bogdanovich also revealed that when compared to previous years, this year's sales are going better, and he expects numbers to improve as the date for the festival, dubbed the 'Greatest reggae show on Earth', draws near.

Reggae Sumfest will be held in Montego Bay, St James, from July 15 to 22.

The organiser credits the high demand for the tickets to the quality of show patrons get each year.

"This year will be exceptional. Production has been awesome and will continue to be awesome, but what is different every year with Sumfest is that we strive for the unexpected that brings more joy and harmony to the experience," he said, noting that top reggae acts have already been booked for the show.

"Everyone involved with Sumfest, which involves people and companies all over the world, are proud of what has been done with Reggae Sumfest [since the festival changed its format in 2016]. Plans are going great and the festival is being embraced early both here at home and abroad. Tickets are selling quickly and hotels are already being booked. We are ready for eight days of fun with great entertainment."

MAIN MISSION

As it relates to the fact that International Night was dropped from the roster, Bogdanovich stressed that the festival's "main mission is to make Reggae Sumfest the most authentic reggae and dancehall festival in the world."

To achieve that, the CEO revealed that although there is no 'International night' per se, each year the organisers reach out to international acts each year who fit well with the show's brand.

"We are not solely focusing on Jamaican talent. They are the core and priority, but our main mission is to make Reggae Sumfest the most authentic reggae and dancehall festival in the world. To do this right, you have to reach out to international artistes as well. Each year, we reach out to international artistes who fit well with our own Jamaican artistes, and exemplify the positive and important influence of Jamaican music and culture from all over the world," he said.

Canada's Tory Lanez and Patoranking from Nigeria have performed on the show, as both acts have included dancehall in the music. And, for this year's show, Bogdanovich said that they reached out to American reggae artiste J. Boog, who is of Samoan descent.