‘Closing Dancehall Night still a big deal’ - Sumfest organiser says fans are still interested

Closing Dancehall Night (now known as Festival Night one) at Reggae Sumfest, is atop the list of things many dancehall entertainers hope to accomplish throughout their careers.

The feat has acquired a certain prestige and music lovers usually wait with baited breath to hear which top act will be bestowed the honour.

However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable decrease in the anticipation levels.

When it was announced earlier this week that the members of the 6ix would be closing dancehall night, some social media users (like they did last year) expressed that closing isn't a 'big deal anymore'.

But while it may seem like interest in closing acts has been dwindling, organisers are singing a different tune.

CEO of Downsound Entertainment and chief organiser of Reggae Sumfest, Joe Bogdanovich, says that fans and artistes alike are still very interested.

"It's a really a big prestige to close the show, not everyone can do it, I'll tell you that much. If you see a whole lot of fans coming in late Friday night to see their favourite acts or we see fans there early and they don't leave, then that will answer any questions people have about whether or not closing the show is still a big deal," he said. "If people stay for the 6ixes we will know people still think it's a great thing to close a show at Sumfest."

Bogdanovich also explained that there is a changing of the guard in music. He lamented that while some persons will not take on to the approach he and his team have been taking the last few years (in terms of closers), fresh acts also need the opportunity to show they have what it takes as well.

NEW ARTISTES

"Rygin King was the first time Reggae Sumfest broke a new artiste out of nowhere. After what he did at Reggae Sumfest, he was getting calls from people interested in him from all over the world and we feel very good about that. We at Sumfest are very big on giving the youths the opportunity to shine. We can't have the same people closing the show every year," he said. "I think people want to see the 6ixes and it won't just be because they are from Montego Bay. These young acts are on new kinds of beats and they're bringing something fresh to the Sumfest stage. They need to be given a chance to show that they will be just as good as some of the acts people believe should close."

Veteran entertainer Beenie Man told THE WEEKEND STAR that other artistes need to be granted the opportunity.

"Some a dem artiste anuh really closing artiste but how yah go know if yuh nuh gi dem a chance? We (veterans) can't close the show fi all a we life. Me can't be the man of the moment for 26 years. The man of the moment come every four to five years, so someone else affi rise," he said. "We can close, we nuh fraid fi close, but we have some people a beat down some fence right now and we affi gi dem the chance. The artiste dem from MoBay bad innu, especially Teejay, a my artiste dat. The 6ix dem, dem have some bad lyrics. Me nuh see dem perform a lot but dem nuh affi prove nothing. Dem just need to come do weh dem affi do. Only person dem affi prove supmn to a to dem self, say dem worthy to be there."