Sumfest launch Local artiste line-up announced

By Ingrid Brown, Staff Reporter

SUMFEST lovers will have to wait at least another two weeks to hear who will be the major overseas acts at this years' staging of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest.

"We are negotiating with three major acts but at this point it is still at a very delicate stage," John Gourzong, director of Sumerfest Productions said.

The Sumerfest productions team, however, did not deny rumours that Backstreet Boys was one of the international acts being targeted. Negotiations are also said to be under way with reggae icon Jimmy Cliff.

The six-day reggae festival which has adapted the name of one of the major sponsors Red Stripe, kicks off on Tuesday, July 31, at Pier One in Montego Bay.

The line-up of artistes who have already confirmed their attendance at this year's show was announced at the official launch of Sumfest held at the Red Bones Cafe in Kingston yesterday.

Multi-platinum selling dancehall artiste Shaggy heads the list of performers this year. He is slated to perform on the third International Night on August 5. The other local artistes already confirmed, according to Gourzong, are Beenie Man, Capleton, Beres Hammond, Bunny Wailer, Bounty Killer, Luciano, Merciless, Sizzla, TOK, Elephant Man, Baby Cham, Junior Kelly, CeCile, George Nooks, Freddie McGregor, Papa San, Glen Washington and Coco Tea.

The organisers say the line-up is not yet complete and in the upcoming weeks other artistes will be added.

When asked if Lady Saw would be a part of this year's line up, Robert Russell, chairman of Sumfest said; "Unfortunately Lady Saw will not be able to perform this year."

Saw's performance on the final night of Reggae Sumfest last year was condemned by several Montegonians.

It is said that a member of the St. James Parish Council attempted to galvanise enough local support to prevent the deejay from ever performing in the city again.

In 1994 Saw was banned from performing at Reggae Sumfest after an outburst from Montegonians.

This year's event dubbed The Greatest Reggae Show On Earth, will begin with Sound System Night, followed by the Beach Party, then Dancehall Night and International Nights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

At the special launch, guests were treated to a taste of what to expect when George Nooks, Freddie McGregor and Ashe performed. The Vital Vibes band also did a good job, with a three-minute medley which featured snatches of songs from artistes for each night.

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