Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest 2017 – ‘Weekend of WOW!’

Headliner Reggae Legend Freddie McGregor gave a memorable performance to a packed crowd at De Reef in Bequia this past weekend, at the Bequia Mount Gay Music Festival 2017.

Freddie’s Big Ship Band had audiences singing along to his classics, as he charmed his fans for over an hour. The four-day, five-event music festival is one of a kind in the Caribbean that takes place every January, featuring a wide variety of music genres. Sweet Soca Man Baron of Trinidad headlined on Sunday with his melodious voice, and SVG’s own Keido Foster and K-Nectic concluded the weekend on a high-energy vibe. Barbados’ 2 Mile Hill, and the fabulous Xavier Strings out of Trinidad were just some of the fantastic performances at the four-day event. Joe Louis Walker, Ian Siegal, Rick Estrin, Gregg Jackson, Zac Harmon, Anthony Cage, John Bradford, Murali Coryell and others from the Mustique Blues Festival sang the blues at Bequia Plantation for a magical evening of music under the palm trees. Country star Leisa Way and Vincentian band Impac rocked the venue Saturday afternoon for the Bequia Tourism Association’s 14th annual Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest. This year, the Bequia Music Fest did not disappoint with thrilling performances and a fabulous weekend of live entertainment.

The four-day event opened with a massive turnout to hear the outstanding young talent of the Elite Steel Orchestra on Thursday night, with a 14-piece orchestra led by Kesslon Wilson, at the Frangipani Hotel. This electric vibe continued on for the whole weekend with performance after performance of impressive artistes. Friday night took place this year at the Bequia Plantation Hotel where the Mustique Blues Festival musicians thrilled blues lovers under the stars. This year, old favorites like guitarist and vocalist Joe Louis Walker, guitarist and vocalist Ian Siegal, guitarist and vocalist Zac Harmon, vocalist Gregg Jackson and Murali Coryell returned for their one night show in Bequia. Vincentian entrepreneur Basil Charles was on stage to welcome the Mustique Blues musicians to the beautiful Plantation House Hotel.

Saturday afternoon’s open-air jam in the gardens of Bequia Plantation was an unforgettable one with a surprise for many who had not heard of the dynamic duo, sisters Janelle and Janine Xavier of Xavier Strings, performing on electronic violins. Music Fest gold sponsor the Bequia Plantation provided the perfect venue for the afternoon for a relaxing Jam by the beach. Performances included The Honky Tonics, the Bequia Blues Band with vocalist and guitarist Bob Berlinghof, keyboard player Mikey Wilkie, guitarist Dave Wry Worry, drummer Jerry Simpson and Uthan McIntosh on bass. The afternoon concluded with country star Leisa Way from Canada guest staring with the Impac band. Leisa added to the happy vibes reverberating for the weekend.

Saturday night’s much anticipated Freddie McGregor did not disappoint. Patrons sang along to Freddie’s classic tunes like Big Ship, What you gonna do, Stop loving you, When push come to shove and many more. His warm energy had the crowd begging for just one more…. . The evening opened with the young, extremely energetic Signal Band of Dominica with their unique version of soca. Vocalist Mahalia Cummins, Andre Clarke, keyboardist and vocalist of 2 Mile Hill created a high voltage finish of hip hop, dancehall, as well as some of their original songs like “Billionaire” which was well received by the young crowd. Popular DJ Shatta of Bequia joined the team and kept the vibes flowing throughout the evening, closing out the party at nearly 4 a.m!

Sunday afternoon at De Reef in Lower Bay offered more incredible performances. The Bequia Kids on Pan Steel Orchestra opened the afternoon, followed by Music Fest legend Toby Armstrong with his extraordinary guitar skills. Abuza, Yaphatto and Dynamite and their band nice up the place with Vincy talent. Of course, Sweet Soca Man Baron was a hit, lighting up the crowd to his well known sweet soca tunes like Somebody, Feeling it, Tell me why and more.

When asked if she had a great weekend, one patron from the USA said, “WOW! “Can’t wait until next year”!

Director of the Bequia Music fest and chairperson of the Bequia Tourism Association Sabrina Mitchell opened the festivities with her welcome address. She gave a warm Bequia welcome to all visitors, homeowners and Vincentians and guaranteed all, that after many months of planning by her volunteer committee, it would be a great weekend of entertainment. She went on to express her thanks to Platinum Sponsor Mount Gay Rum for their firm commitment to this festival, and to Gold Sponsors FLOW and Hairoun for their continued and dedicated partnership with the Musicfest every year, as well as the SVG Tourism Authority, CEO Glen Beache and Faylene King, whose support is crucial to the festival’s viability. Bequia Plantation as well as the SVG Cocoa Company and Sotheby’s SVG International Realty joined for the first time as partners in 2017. Additional assistance was provided by Action Bequia, Air Adelphi, Frangipani Hotel, De Reef, CRS Music & Media, Bequia Express Company, and Quick Print (St Vincent).

The Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest is also generously supported by Basil’s Bar Mustique, Nice Radio, Mac’s Pizzeria, Vintages Bequia (Agents for Mount Gay Rum), Bequia Technology Center, Firefly Hotels, Lina’s Deli, Sol Service Station, Nichols Garage St Vincent, Compass Publishing and Outhouse Graphics. Last but not least, thanks were given to all the musicians who made the 2017 Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest yet another fantastic event!

Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture Cecil McKie also spoke at the official opening on the Friday night event before the Mustique Blues Festival took to the stage. He expressed his pleasure at being in Bequia every year for this premier event in the tourism calendar. He welcomed visitors, yachtsmen, mainlanders and all attendees to the Bequia Music Fest – one of the many festivals that St Vincent has to offer. He encouraged patrons to tell their friends and family about the Bequia Music fest and invite them next year. The Minister gave thanks to the Bequia Music Fest director Sabrina Mitchell and her committee, as well as the Bequia Tourism Association for a job well done. He looks forward to the opening of the Argyle Airport improving air communication for visitor arrivals for the 2018 festival.

The visiting musicians, and many patrons all spoke highly of the exceptional hospitality and smooth running of the festival and the unique, magical, and intimate atmosphere in Bequia for which the Bequia Music Fest is famous.

For more information contact Sabrina Mitchell, Music Fest Director, 528-0272 458-3255 or email musicfest@bequiatourism.com