Artistes revive stage show scene

With Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest being the only two major annual stage shows being held in the island, there have been many cries from the entertainment fraternity in recent times for something to be done to breathe new life into the space.

It seems those cries have not fallen on deaf ears, as some artistes have taken it upon themselves to revitalise the music scene as far as stage shows are concerned.

Beenie Man was the first to get the ball 'rolling' by re-energising Summer Sizzle. By all indications, the show did well and is slated to go back to being an annual event. Now, diamond-selling artiste Charly Black is gearing up to host his own event in St Ann this weekend. Dancehall's Unruly Boss, Popcaan is also slated to stage the first Unruly Fest in his hometown come December. Iba Mahr also hosts a concert each year, and although his show, like Shaggy's, is a charity initiative, it is still spearheaded by an artiste and is counted as another event started to rejuvenate the stage show scene.

KEY PLAYERS

Speaking with THE STAR about the recent trend, Charly Black said that it is high time entertainers again take matters into their own hands where stage shows are concerned. He explained that as some of the key players in the industry, the onus is on them to keep the entertainment scene alive and well.

"A we haffi build back we communities and we country. A we haffi make sure say the people dem get good entertainment because there is no show keeping anymore," he said. "Jamaica have less stage shows now, and yuh nah see many new artistes. Yah hear di artiste dem pan radio, but dem nah get no place to showcase dem talent. If is not Rebel Salute or Reggae Sumfest or this show in Ocho Rios name St Ann Jerk Festival, I don't really see no other show keeping. Me just a play my part, that's why I'm doing what I'm doing."

Charly Black, who will be hosting his Momentum Reggae Festival in St Ann this Saturday, explained why the number of stage shows have dwindled over the years.

"Some promoters nuh know fi deal wid artistes and more time artistes over charge promoters, so the breakdown work inna two different ways. But as an artiste when we start a show, we know fi we artiste bredren dem nah go kill we, and so we keep di ting and nuh bother kill di patrons dem (in terms of admission fees)," he told THE STAR.

The latter was reiterated by Janice Young, PR Director, event coordinator and advertising consultant.

"You do find that there is a better relationship sometimes between entertainers versus promoters and entertainers, which is weird, because people think that they don't. Entertainers actually work better together to get these things done and get the performances happening," she said

Commending artistes who started stage shows over the years, Young described the move as a good one for the entertainment scene.

"I think it's very good because we do need a lot more live shows in Jamaica. The latter is also good for the tourism product in Jamaica because the tourists will come down for these events. We need live entertainment, so kudos to them for doing it, for spearheading the trend because I do believe also that artistes need to find other ways to generate income," she said.