Sumfest 2026

 Thanks to the destructive hurricane Melissa which wrecked everything in its path in Jamaica in 2025, Sumfest this year had to be moved from Montego Bay to Plantation near Ocho Rios.

This is the same venue where Rebel Salute used to be held annually, but I understand it is not being held any more and other events there are discouraged. 

I actually like this venue better but everyone who uses the main road or lives nearby, object to events being held there because traffic congestion makes life frustrating and even dangerous for them. 

 So the authorities don't normally give permission for things to be held there. But I guess they agreed to allow Sumfest this year because of the situation. 

Maybe they should have postponed the entire thing though, for this is the worst Sumfest I ever attended.

Why? 

Because for the entirety, they had no live bands but only recorded music!

 And for the first three hours or so, they used no artists but just screaming DJ's. 

I must admit though, the female Magnum dancers were extremely talented.👍

Queen Ifrica

When the live artists started to perform, the only one who was really impressive was Queen Ifrica and when the big stars, Vibes Kartel and Movado came on, only Movado had been worth  the wait, in my book.😡

 It was extremely well attended though so maybe the young people liked that crap, but I didn't.

We went, we listened but we were really not well entertained this year.

Ps. A friend brought to my attention the following statement which was posted to the organizer's webpage.

"Updates on the Return to Traditional Live BandsDownsound Entertainment has explicitly stated that this condensed format is a one-time, one-night emergency staging.Why it changed: The shift away from the traditional multi-night, live-band festival was entirely due to severe infrastructure and venue damage at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay caused by Hurricane Melissa [05.1].The Future: Festival organizers have reassured fans that Montego Bay remains the permanent home of Reggae Sumfest. They plan to return to Catherine Hall for the July 2027 festival, restoring the traditional multi-night lineup that features full backing bands, comprehensive reggae nights, and traditional dancehall nights."

Pity I never saw the info re the change in program format before we bought tickets!😡

Sumfest sell off

If the only act we saw on Saturday night at Reggae Sumfest was the Big Ship's performance, it would have been worth the money.❤️

L-R front: Coretta, Joan, Ruby. Back L-R: Lolita, Judi, Bernie 

Freddie and his sons were out of the world. Especially considering that the Captain, Freddie McGregor is just recovering from a stroke!

If you just heard the strong voice alone, you could never guess Freddie, had to remain seated while performing and that his left side is clearly still paralyzed.

But he was so professionally backed up by his sons Steven and Di genius, that the performance was just out of this world.

They were just awesome.

And guess who was in the backing band?

 None other but the great Dean Frazer himself!😍

And you couldn't stop Freddie. It was as if he was determined to belt out all his hits despite his struggles.

The crowd showered him with love.❤️

His voice broke as he stopped to  thank us for the love and prayers.

Lieutenant Stichie 

The segment honoring King Jammy was great too, as coming on stage were old time favorites such as Lieutenant Stichie, Tanya Stevens, Major Mackerel, Ricky Spice etc and they were all wonderful.

Ricky Spice

While I instructed my eyes to close only during band changes, they sold me out and I missed much of Morgan heritage, Romaine Virgo and Wayne Marshall.

At least they stayed open long enough for me to hear Gramps Morgan deliver 'people like me."

My eyelids let me down though😡. 

We were determined to stay to the end to see  Lady Saw now Pastor Marion Hall, who eventually came on after 6am. 

Tanya Stevens 

Captain of the Big Ship, Freddie McGregor.

In my book, Lady Saw is the winner as Pastor Hall, while retaining the energy, is just too preachy .

Lots of people seem to agree with my assessment as it was during her performance that many packed up and left.

 As the bible says, " out of evil cometh good". 

Well if the Palladium hotel was not such a moronic organization, ( more on that anon) we could not have made it to Reggae Sumfest this year.

The fact is,  we were scheduled to attend the grand finale of the family reunion there (more on that anon) but the lousy hotel reneged on the deal, so as we weren't staying there, we couldn't attend.

We went to Sumfest 's final night instead and that's the good that came out of their evil😡.

The family reunion Tshirt.

We were staying at Silver Sands.

L-R: Coretta, Judi, Joan, Bernie, Lolita.

Silver Sands beach is private and better anyway.

And what a night it was.😻🥰🙂😍.

Big up Sumfest 2023 and all the performers on the final night.