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Reggae Sumfest organizers consider moving up show in future

Future editions of Reggae Sumfest could be moved up to avoid competition with European festivals, according to lead organizer, Johnny Gourzong

With the 21st edition of Reggae Sumfest set to kick off in Montego Bay in the coming weeks, organizers of the popular event are thinking about holding it earlier to avoid competing with the growing number of summer festivals in Europe.

At the official launch for Reggae Sumfest 2013, which took place on Tuesday at the Macau's Restaurant and Bar in St. Andrew, the show’s lead organizer, Johnny Gourzong hinted at a possible shift in the schedule for the event.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following the event, the Summerfest Productions head admitted, "Summer is the time when the artistes tour, so it's extremely challenging to book them. It is very hard to compete with the European festivals...even for a one-off performance it is difficult.”

Additionally, Gourzong said these European festivals not only offer competition schedule-wise, but financially as promoters for those events can afford to pay more money for their services.

In the last decade, several Reggae summer festivals have been raised to prominence in Europe, including Rototom Sunsplash in Spain, the Ostroda Reggae Festival in Poland, Garance Reggae Festival in France and the Seasplash Music Festival in Croatia.

This year’s edition of Reggae Sumfest features a slew of all-star acts including international music sensations, Miguel and Flo Rida, as well as local giants Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, Spice, Lady Saw, Chronixx, I-Octane, Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and many more.

The festival is slated to kick off on July 21 with a beach party at Aquasol Theme Park before the performances take place July 25-27 inside the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex.

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