Tarrus Riley to headline Cup Match Summer Splash

Reggae star Tarrus Riley is to make his return to the island as part of this year’s Cup Match Summer Splash.

Cup Match Summer Splash was launched last year by Veterans In Action and 441 Productions and the founders landed reggae legend Beres Hammond for their first year.

Andrew Holmes of 441 Productions told the Bermuda Sun: “Last year bringing Beres Hammond, and him being one of the biggest acts in reggae, Tarrus was a natural fit. We asked how are we going to top Beres Hammond? Tarrus was one of the names that came about and we were able to secure him at an early date — he is confirmed.

Riley, best known for his multi award-winning hit She’s Royal, is due to perform songs from his upcoming album Love Situation.

“Of course he will sing his classics but we can also expect a lot from the new album. Because it is coming out now there is plenty of time for Bermudians to get familiar with the music — it will have heavy rotation on the radio. People are going to be ready.”

The son of veteran reggae singer Jimmy Riley, Tarrus is a self-taught artist whose first album was Challenges (2004) was produced with Jamaican saxophonist Dean Fraser and included the hit Larger Than Life.

In 2006, his Parables album from VP Records included the hugely successful hit She’s Royal. Love Situation will be his fifth album.

They said they hoped the three-day festival would become an annual fixture in the run up to Bermuda’s biggest party event.

Declan Harris of Veterans in Action told the Bermuda Sun last year that he hoped to land some major soca and reggae names in the coming years including Machel Montano. Organizers would not confirm whether he had made it on to this year’s line-up.

This year’s festival will also include a free family-oriented music event.

It will be a three-day event taking place Pre Cup Match July 25, 26 and 30. No venue has been confirmed as yet. 

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