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Tarrus Riley, Destra & Bunji Garlin included in VI Festival 2017 line-up

- More international acts yet to be named
From left: Tarrus Riley, Destra Garcia and Bunji Garlin are some of the international acts announced for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Internet Source
From left: Soca artistes Rupee of Barbados and Fay-Ann Lyons of Trinidad and Tobago have been included in the line-up for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Internet Source
From left: Soca artistes Rupee of Barbados and Fay-Ann Lyons of Trinidad and Tobago have been included in the line-up for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Internet Source
From left: Minster for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee Mr Trefor A. Grant at a press conference at Central Administration Complex on July 4, 2017 to announce the line-up of artistes for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
From left: Minster for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee Mr Trefor A. Grant at a press conference at Central Administration Complex on July 4, 2017 to announce the line-up of artistes for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Tarrus Riley, Rupee, Tizzy, Orlando Octave, Rock City, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Asa Bantan, Cool Sessions Destra Garcia, Triple Kay, Stylee Band, T-Vice, Patrice Roberts are most of the international artists set to headline throughout Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017 in Road Town, East End and Carrot Bay.

This was announced today July 4, 2017 at a press conference at Central Administration Complex ahead of the official start of the annual celebrations on July 28, 2017.

According to organisers, more international artistes are yet to be named.

The theme this year is, ‘A Colorful Kaleidoscope To Be Seen, Creating A Cultural Scene For Festival 2017’.

Road Town

For the international night at the Neil Blyden Festiville, Road Town on August 4, 2017 the stage will be lit with performances by the So Strong Family comprising of Pressure, Revelation, Ras Imo and Drastic. Tarrus Riley will be the main artiste.

According to Kenny Thompson of KT Productions, speaking on behalf of the sub-committee of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee, on August 5, for the International Soca Night, the stage will be set for Roy Cape All Stars, featuring Blacks, Rupee out of Barbados, Tizzy out of Antigua and Orlando Octave from Trinidad, in addition to local performers B’more, Monae and the US Virgin Islands’ Rock City.

East End

Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee, Mr Trefor A. Grant said the line-up for East End/Long Look Festiville includes Linky First, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, along with Rock City, all on August 8.

But he said the Rise and Shine Tramp on August 9 will feature two music trucks, one with BDJ Band out of the USVI while the other will see a blend of entertainers from the VI and the USVI, alongside Asa Bantan of Dominica.

That very night, Cool Sessions and Destra Garcia, in addition to some locals bands and acts, will close out the festivities there.

Carrot Bay

At the Oliver Turnbull Festiville in Carrot Bay on August 10, 2017 will see Triple Kay out of Dominica, Stylee Band out of St Croix and the headliner of the evening, T-Vice, a Haitian band based in Florida.

On August 11, 2017 Patrice Roberts out of Trinidad will be joined by other acts yet to be named.

37 Responses to “Tarrus Riley, Destra & Bunji Garlin included in VI Festival 2017 line-up”

  • HMMM (04/07/2017, 18:19) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    A bunch of recyclables
    • Jacperlance (04/07/2017, 19:40) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      That's the best of them, spending taxpayers dollars on all those big name foreign artists. I wonder if they does pay tax on the dollars they make
    • Hmm (05/07/2017, 09:16) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Could never please ayo
  • Jay (04/07/2017, 18:36) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    I live VG and I see them same artist in V G. East End have the VG line up and Road Town and East End have the same artist what the hec this is bull who wants to hear the same artist over and over. Carrot line is not so hot either. But wait they didn't name all there artist that's means better to come I bet they going to come better but it Makes no sense what so ever. They need to have one festival in Tortola cut east End and carrot bay. Or put changes on those committees change the sub committees heads. That's my thought.
    • Lord O @ Jay (04/07/2017, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Jay----I agree with you 100% you making so much sense. This politics, not national interest.. These people have no idea how to organized, they are not bless with that skill.
  • Lela (04/07/2017, 18:38) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree this is a waste of tax payers funds
    • my 2 cents (04/07/2017, 19:53) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      Today's world calls for Education, infrastructure, and technology investment to compete for the future. Lets cancel the festival

  • belonger (04/07/2017, 18:40) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    U all can t be serious. Y not new artists like Jay Z and Beyonce, Ariana Grande, like St. Kitts Music Fest they bring new artists every year. Here so the same thing over again ggzz.
    • Are u dumb (04/07/2017, 22:16) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
      That make sense? The cost of those artist compared to how much ppl live in the bvi, organizers wud never make thier money back, unless is 150 a ticket, go sit down and big thankful for the little u get on that little island.....
      • Jaigon Jumbie (05/07/2017, 05:32) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Are you dumb. You see this is the problem, this should not be about making money, this is our emancipation from slavery but too many people over the years used the opportunity to get big kick backs from it, enriching themselves, no wonder over the years the books are always in the red, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars
  • No problem (04/07/2017, 18:54) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    You get what you can afford. Please do not complain. Learn to live within your means.
  • wize up (04/07/2017, 19:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    some of us have to fuss with government to collect our few cents BUT I am sure those coming will be paid upfront.....what ah ting!!!!
    • Outlaw (04/07/2017, 19:46) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ wize up, I totally agree with you. At least they have to collect 3/4 of the money before they put foot on tortola and then before the ho on stage they have to collect the other 1/4. As Jay commented above, all these festivals are not necessary, have one grand festival and call it George.
      • wize up (04/07/2017, 22:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ outlaw: it is called change!!! But who benefiting from the change is a very big concern for some of us(just keep the faith)
  • wet (04/07/2017, 19:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    the results of Myron and his crew leaving the country broke..set of second rated artiste.

    hope BVI airways flying by then so i can go Miami
  • Freedom! (04/07/2017, 19:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP doing everything they can to avoid others getting an eat!
  • myrun (04/07/2017, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    VINO stopped spreading the doom and gloom message and started singing happy days
    It is all a smoke screen NDP must go
  • SHUT UP (04/07/2017, 20:08) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    you all so self fish just because they bringing foreigners you all want to kill aryo festival. all over the Caribbean they bringing in international artist , when aryo go the states to spend off aryo money and want live off the government y u all don't fuss bout that.
  • Jack B. (04/07/2017, 20:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why these people organizing don't reach out to the public for suggestions.. The public are their customers.. We still have a long way to go. Organizing is a skill, a gift, not everyone has it...This is poor...Now I see the line up. I'm gone for those five days. Saw all of them umteen times...
    • Love festival (10/07/2017, 16:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They did reach out. They were asking for volunteers to be involved in the planning over and over.
  • concern (04/07/2017, 20:17) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why do we hold a festival. Is it to give away money to people from outside who just come to receive? Why can,t we use our own artists and give them the opportunity to develop? Seemingly this territory makes money so they can bring artists from outside to take it away. When they are finished they cannoy pay the locals. Time to stop that foolishness. We cannot find money todo necessary things in the territory, taking care of our people in need, supplies for schools, activities for our youth to prevent criminal activities, but we can dole it out for the vulgarity from some of those we bring to our shores. Time for that to stop.
    • Virgin Islander (05/07/2017, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you "Concern". Been saying the same thing for years now.
  • Street reporter (04/07/2017, 20:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I heard about a month ago that there will be no Carrot bay, I was so happy, that was the way to go. Cancel Carrot Bay..Now I'm sad...
  • Soca (04/07/2017, 21:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this the best they could do? How much times they gonna bring Destra. That community need to start doing some actual work or it just simple needs be replaced.
  • tola (04/07/2017, 21:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Every years is the same set of artist but ayo don't wah to pay the local but before then big artist set foot in this country them of to get half of them money an ayo don't know when the local will get pay .....poor we local under this NDP government an why ball head even the minister of culture its time we change he from be the minister a culture cause he jus doin a set a bull o can't wait to change this government when will this BVI air ways will be flying buddy jus waist of our 7 millions and more
  • please (04/07/2017, 22:08) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Man you all say the same shit every year and yet when you go to the village on the international nights you can't find a parking in town and you can't get in the gate, the place PACKED. You all sickening..
  • Yes (04/07/2017, 22:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bout jayz and beyonce, u must be smokin crack, u cant afford tha and even if u did organizers wuddnt make no profit
  • belonger (04/07/2017, 22:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The festival is not being creative, it's the same old same. What a Shame. They can't even say yet which local bands playing for the festival.
  • u making joke (05/07/2017, 00:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They better come good with the names that ain't released yet .same darn lineup last year are u kidding me bunji them was a big fail they coming again.
  • NutMan (05/07/2017, 02:20) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Linky First, Konshens, Flipo , Aidonia , Killa Tooma, Vybz Kartel Just to name a few. Try those
  • Culture man (05/07/2017, 06:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tortola Carnival has gone to the dogs. This year's carnival has a beautiful theme with a very shitey line up.
  • Virgin Islander (05/07/2017, 09:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I understand that we are now a multicultural society, but Festival should be about promoting Virgin Islands Culture. It should be mainly Virgin Islands artists (BVI/USVI). If you must, bring one International artist per night on weekends. Who don't want to come don't come. If people want to go out and have a good time, they will come. This has become a waste of our hard earned tax money. Are we really acknowledging the suffering of our ancestors, and the "physical freedom" that we now have? Or is this now a money making thing? I say physical freedom because God knows, many of us are still slaves mentally, and even slaves to other things these days. I thought Myron said he was going to cut down on the number of International Artists that were taking part in our Festival. I'm quite disappointed to see this long list of foreign artists, many of them who have been here several times before. You want to know the most hurtful part??? They will be paid in full before they leave the Virgin Islands, while our local artists (VIBE, Showtime, Ritical, etc.) will have to wait several months for their money. If that isn't the ultimate irony and slap to our faces in the name of Emancipation, then my god, I don't know what is.
  • Pressure Buss Pipe Fan (05/07/2017, 09:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why you'll won't give Pressure a chance? You'll don't think he deserved whatwhatever he asked or request? Every artist been on our festival stage within the last (10) years. Don't be sacred to try other things and yes Pressure can make you money!
    • @pressure (05/07/2017, 11:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You people need to learn to read and understand. Let me quote part of the article for you.

      "Road Town

      For the international night at the Neil Blyden Festiville, Road Town on August 4, 2017 the stage will be lit with performances by the So Strong Family comprising of Pressure, Revelation, Ras Imo and Drastic. Tarrus Riley will be the main artiste."
  • Yes (05/07/2017, 10:01) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    You all bringing Destra here again to buss somebody else bladder.....
  • do better (07/07/2017, 09:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sigh.... Destra again? all we going do is go from left to right then front to back. Strupes. but i guess the carnival committee is a "profitable organization" so we aint going see other artist coming here. Its like they have a selected few and rotate them. My only wish is to see new artist come and perform.


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