Reggae Sumfest Review
I have two words to say about Reggae Sumfest – JUST GO!!!!!!!
I’ve attended Sumfest twice so far, in 2006 and 2008. They both had one major thing (and a lot of minor things) in common. The major thing – WEAR ORTHOPEDIC SHOES! Or if you don’t have any, just wear flip flops but be prepared to endure! Or bring a chair to sit on during breaks.
Okay now onto all the great stuff! Reggae Sumfest is the best entertainment I’ve ever seen, next to Busta Rhymes and John Legend concerts. Where else can I see EVERY dancehall artist I want to see for a measly $35 US?? I was shocked that dancehall night was cheaper than International night for the value of the show.
Reggae Sumfest is an annual outdoor event held in Montego Bay that showcases everyone you could ever want to see in the dancehall and reggae circuits, and several international artists. Since I live in Western Canada, home of the weakest Caribbean vibes in the world, there is nowhere I can see 30 of my favorite artists in one weekend! All of Sumfest is a blur to me due to the fantastic time I was having but here are the performances I’ve seen that completely stand out in my mind right now:
Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa, Mavado, Elephant Man, Tarrus Riley, Gyptian, Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Etana, Busy Signal, Erup, Beres Hammond, Missy Elliot, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall, Black Rhyno, Demarco, Serani, Ninja Man, Anthony B, Voicemail, Assassin, Munga, Macka Diamond, need I go on?? And NO, T-Pain and Lil Wayne did NOT stand out in my mind.
The atmosphere at Reggae Sumfest will blow you away if you’ve never been to a Jamaican concert before. I remember my first time, I was in awe of the pure energy in the place. It was filled with about 25,000 Jamaicans with aerosol cans and lighters creating blow torches everywhere! I could actually feel the heat from all the fire!
What to Bring to Reggae Sumfest
Money – You don’t want to miss out on some of the wicked food being sold at the booths. There are also several booths selling liquor and event souvenirs. And once the place gets SO crowded that you don’t want to leave your spot, you can easily buy whatever you want from the sellers weaving in and out the crowd. They have snacks, refreshments, cigarettes, gum, umbrellas, chairs and yes, even ganja.
A Chair – If you don’t want to pay the price of a desperate person and buy a chair at Sumfest, bring your own. Lots of people bring fold up chairs. I wish I had.
Your Camera – Don’t be afraid of the signs at the gate that say “No Cameras” and the fact that they search your bags coming in. They’re looking for something else.
A catheter would be helpful too because its about a 30 minute process getting to and from restrooms at Sumfest. And as the night wears on the condition of the restrooms sadly suffers. Bring your own toilet paper.
Where can you purchase tickets for Reggae Sumfest?
You can buy them online at www.reggaesumfest.com before you go to Jamaica OR you can pretty much buy them anywhere once you get to Jamaica. I bought mine in a clothing store in Ocho Rios.
Sumfest goes on all night into the morning light and I had to strain myself to last until 6AM. When I left it was still jumping and Beenie Man had yet to perform. I reached my hotel around 6:30AM and slept like a baby, then did it all over again the next night.
TIP: When leaving Sumfest, all the taxi drivers waiting inside the gates to drive people home – they’re charters and will charge you an arm and a leg to get back to your hotel. You’re best to just leave and find your own Route Taxi out on the road. See “Taxis in Jamaica”.
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