Judging by the social media self-reporting of folks buying European Beyoncé concert tickets, enjoying Las Vegas residences (Usher, New Edition) or sailing the open seas on music cruises, a new trend seems to be forming. Like a cousin of destination weddings in exotic locales, building vacations around tours, performances and festivals from our favorite performers is becoming a thing. With the summer just starting, some of us are already planning vacays around Lenny Kravitz playing Vegas in October, or December’s Jamrock Reggae Cruise to Jamaica. If you’re thinking of following the wave, your experience might go something like the following down at St. Kitts Music Festival.
With a history over 25 years old, the St. Kitts Music Festival attracts thousands of soca, reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, R&B and reggaeton fans every summer. This year’s lineup boasted Mary J. Blige, Capleton, Rick Ross, Third World, Masicka, Freddie Jackson and more across three nights, divided mainly into soca (night one), reggae/dancehall (night two) and R&B/hip-hop (night three).
But before indulging in any of the nights’ shows (which can last from early evening to after 4 a.m.), music-loving vacationists will want to eat some deliciousness, hit the beach and catch some sights. Boozies serves foodies some of the best lobster to be found on the West Indian island, alongside spots like Arthur’s and the Reggae Beach Bar & Grill. Choose the flavorful Spice Mill restaurant for its signature Hibiscus Spirits cocktails and its proximity to Cockleshell Bay Beach. Wander to the beach’s end and enjoy St. Kitts Water Sports offerings like parasailing, jet skiing and snorkeling.
Eventually, the sun sets and the music rises over at Warner Park Stadium. Night number one of the festival was full of testosterone, with an almost all-male lineup of local Caribbean acts, broken up by an electric set by female Trinidadian soca star Nadia Batson. Bearded ladies’ man Adam O also made an impact. But the second night drew a slightly larger crowd with the conscious stylings of Jamaican reggae artist Kabaka Pyramid, legendary reggae-fusion band Third World and dancehall guiding light, Busy Signal.
Third World in particular got ravers on their feet for “Now That We Found Love” and “Reggae Ambassador,” before closing with lead singer A.J. Brown’s operatic, jaw-dropping rendition of “Nessun Dorma”—the aria made most famous by the late Luciano Pavarotti.
Finally, the closing night brought a welcome surprise from the Nicholas Brancker Band, a horn-heavy ensemble led by Jamaican bassist Nicholas Brancker. The group’s set consisted of phenomenal versions of 1970s R&B instrumental classics like George Benson’s “Breezin’,” Herb Alpert’s “Rise” and Grover Washington Jr.’s “Mister Magic.” Unfortunately, the octet’s brilliant, high-energy show got cut short by a song—but their impact on the night was unforgettable.
Headliner Mary J. Blige eventually took the stage head-bopping to her very first hit, 1992’s “You Remind Me”—a song that arguably launched hip-hop soul. She flaunted her infamous dance moves on My Life highlights like “Be Happy” and “You Bring Me Joy,” while “I’m Goin’ Down” provided a live audience singalong moment like it has over the past 30 years. In great spirits, Blige mentioned she’d never before visited the Caribbean island and stopped her show right at the stroke of midnight, maybe to catch some of the island’s flavor while she could.
Speaking of which, music-destination travelers may want to round out their post-festival days taking in sights like the majestic Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park or buying some keepsakes from Caribelle Batik. At this year’s music fest, luminaries like French-Djiboutian indie singer Shay Lia and the former Miss Antigua & Barbuda, Briana Anthony, were found in the audience enjoying the sounds of Pumpa and Mical Teja. As the St. Kitts Music Festival continues growing in popularity, anyone might be spotted at next year’s show. Get in early and set your musical compass for where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea.