One-of-a-kind music festival to feature Beres Hammond, New Kingston and more

Not only is Beres Hammond coming to perform on the island in July, the organizers have teamed up to grow the event into a “one-of-a-kind” four-day music festival featuring local and international talent.

441 Productions and Veterans In Action have partnered up with the City of Hamilton for the Cup Match SummerSplash that will feature Collie Buddz’s band New Kingston as well as reggae veteran Beres Hammond, U2 cover band Elevations and a host of local musicaltalent.

The festival, which aims to kick off our iconic annual Cup Match celebrations, will cover a mix of genres over the four days including rock and roll, soca and reggae.

The first three days of the festival will take over Par-La-Ville Park and will include a main stage, bars, private viewing boxes, concessions as well as artist quarters, VIP bar and tent and private viewing boxes.

The event is designed to unite the island for a good cause with proceeds going towards The Bermuda Sunshine League and PALS.

Patrina “Power Girl” Paynter, who is known for her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda, will host the festival.

Organizers said: “The extraordinary talent combined with our annual Cup Match celebrations is the perfect opportunity to put Bermuda on the map and create an event that is recognized next to Carnival in Trinidad and Carabana in Toronto. This event has the potential to be the return of the Bermuda Music Festival with local producers and world class talent at a fraction of the cost of previous productions creating an opportunity to give back to local charities. With the ability to be completely transparent with the financing of this event it is proof that working together as Bermudians we can do more with less.”

Both 441 Productions run by Andrew Holmes, and Veterans In Action by Declan Harris has brought in international acts toBermuda. 441’s former artists included Shaggy, Gyptian and a host of tribute bands. Veterans In Action brought in Yellowman, Wayne Wonder, Gyptian and Luciano.

Here is the festival line-up:

- Friday July 26 (City of Hamilton Music Festival at Par-La-Ville Park) will feature the best of Bermudian talent in a variety of musical genres. Organizers say it will be: “A talent showcase that Bermudians island wide will be extremely proud of. This event will provide local performers the opportunity to shine in front of a large audience on a festival size stage with world class production. There would be an audition for the City Music Festival, providing an opportunity for all genres of music to try out for their chance to be a part of this epic event.”- Saturday July 27 (Rock’n De Rock at Par-Le-Ville-Park) features music from the Rock and Roll genre. Opening the evening will be Bermuda’s own the Kennel Boys, followed by Message in a Bottle with a tribute to The Police. The headliner will be Elevation, the international U2 tribute show, back to Bermuda by popular demand.

 - Sunday July 28 (Vibe 103 FM Beach BBQ at Snorkel Park Beach) the event will move to Snorkel Park Beach in Dockyard for a fun early evening BBQ. Headlining the Sunday event will be Soca DJ Back 2 Basics from Trinidad to complement the VIBE 103 family of DJs from Bermuda and overseas, mixing all genres of music.

 - Wednesday July 31 (Cup Match Eve’s One Love One Life concert at Par-La-Ville Park) is the main event. Local talent is none other than Uzimon. “Uzi” opened for Ziggy Marley in the 2010 music festival and most recently shared the stage with the stars at the Lennon Bermuda show.

Returning for Cup Match are the young veterans, New Kingston. Known for their work with Bermudian International Reggae Superstar Collie Buddz, New Kingston will bring their

original style of Pop, R&B and Reggae. Beres Hammond, the festival headliner is Jamaica’s legendary singer and a favorite reggae artist in Bermuda. Often referred to as the “King of Lovers Rock” and “Jamaica’s equivalent to Marvin Gaye”, Beres Hammond’s return to Bermuda, has been eagerly anticipated.

“Bermuda is one of my favorite places to visit and perform”, he has said.

TICKETING:

- Friday July 26 Free General Admission

- Saturday July 27

$35 Early bird tickets (limited to 500)

$50 General Admission

$75 VIP (limited to 400)

- Sunday July 28

$20 Early bird tickets (limited to 500 tickets)

$35 General Admission

- Wednesday July 31

$65 Early bird tickets (limited to 1,000)

$85 General Admission

$200 VIP (limited to 400)

Early bird and VIP tickets for the One Love One Life Concert Wednesday July 31will go on sale this Friday May 3 and will be available at Kit and Caboodle, Peoples Pharmacy, Sovereign Jewelers, Fish &Tings, Ceasers Pharmacy, Somers Supermarket and on-line www.bdatix.bm.

Rock’n de Rock tickets will be launched in coming weeks. The VIBE 103 FM Beach BBQ Sunday July 28 event will be launched leading up to May 24.