The wait was finally over, when the much anticipated lineup for the 2025 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival was announced on Thursday January 16 at the pavilion on Rodney Bay.
The red carpet invitation-only event featured artistic expressions in song, dance, spoken word and instruments, as a foretaste of what is to come.
On the night, the various speakers underscored the value of the festival to Saint Lucia, its reach and the intention to embrace even more communities and local creatives this year.
“I am proud of our continued efforts to nurture and promote this invaluable cultural treasure. For thirty three years this festival has been an anchor for cultural expression, community development and a celebration of our global connections,” said Dr. Ernest Hilaire the Minister for Tourism, Investment, Culture, Creative Industry and Broadcasting.
Dr. Hilaire went on to underscore the importance of the festival to the economy and its impact, which he says is far reaching, beyond our cultural landscape and boosting the tourism sector.
He disclosed that in 2024, ticket sales were derived from forty-six countries and the intention was to surpass that milestone this year.
“We will continue to ensure that our festival thrives, not just in terms of attendance but lasting economic opportunities for our communities. This year we are extending the festival’s reach even further, to more communities than ever before,” Hilaire explained.
The tourism minister thanked all those before him who have contributed to the festival’s success and declared that for those to come, a foundation was being laid that they would be proud of.
The Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) speaking at the launch explained that the festival was designed to allow visitors to experience Saint Lucia’s culture, heritage, sites, culinary delights and abundance of nature and adventure.
According to Thaddeus Antoine, this year the festival will include new genres such as Country as well as more straight ahead Jazz on the mainstage.
The event will also see the continuation of Arts & the City spearheaded by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF).
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will run from April 30-May 11, 2025.
Country performer Gretchen Wilson and Reggae singer Sizzla will headline the opening night. The Mindoo Phillip Park event will also feature Lady Lava, Trilogy, Nice & Pudaz and DYP.
Jazz events will thereafter spread through the various communities from May 1- May 6, ahead of the first mainstage event, straight-ahead Jazz at the Pavilion in Rodney Bay. The double dose of Jazz (May 6 and May 8) will feature the likes of Mateo Mancuso, Etienne Charles and Jazzmeia Horn.
A night of praise and worship dubbed “Kingdom Night” returns on Wednesday May 7, headlined by Gospel superstar Tasha Cobbs. It will also feature Maverick City and local Gospel acts Cleopatra Jules and Shreffler Maxwell.
Caribbean Fusion night follows, Friday May 9, with Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Yung Bredda, Patrice Roberts and Ricky T.
The Pigeon Island National Landmark, “the home” of Saint Lucia Jazz will host the final two days of the festival on Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11. The weekend climax will feature a mix of Afrobeat, R&B, Compas, Blues, and Jazz.
Tabou Combo, Joé Dwèt Filé, Ruger, Summer Walker, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and Friends, Sly, Elliot Yamin and Blu Mango are all set to perform while, Earth, Wind and Fire and John Legend will bring the curtains down on the final day.
Tickets for the 2025 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival have already gone on sale online.
Gassa DYP again? Weh de other bands?