Music festivals are banking on female stars more than ever.
For decades women have lacked representation at major Dancehall/Reggae festivals, but a change is coming.
Promoters of the Best Of The Best concert have made a big statement by announcing an all-female line-up.
Fans are in for a treat this May as the promoters look to create history with an all-female cast.
The concert, which is staged in downtown Miami, will feature several top female performers. Some of the stars include; Spice, Koffee, Shenseea, Tanya Stephens, Lady G, and the ‘Queen of soca’ Alison Hinds.
According to promoters, times are changing, as female artistes are not only worthy of booking but are bankable headliners.
“The demand for female artistes has improved significantly over the past three to five years. And while we can’t say that it will be only females providing the entertainment, it is definitely multiple female headliners for the first time. What this says is times are changing and we have no problem stepping out ahead of the pack to kick-start some change,” explained the festival’s publicist, Ronnie Tomlinson.
Promoters have dubbed the 14th staging as ‘Women Reigning in Reggae, Dancehall, and Soca.’
They say this will pay homage to the women in music who have made breakthroughs in a male-dominated field.
“Women have worked hard to pry open the doors, but there always seem to be just one or two who are given the spotlight,” Tomlinson explained.
“Over the past year, the Caribbean and the world have witnessed females using their influence online and stage presence to collectively break the glass ceilings allowing more of them to shine at once.”
The move makes a bold statement considering last year’s staging only featured one female act, Vanessa Bling.
The Best Of The Best concert will take a new format this year as well, with a weekend of events.
The festivities will kick off on Saturday with Aidonia’s Birthday Party, followed the main concert on Sunday. The weekend will then close out on Memorial Day with a bonus All-White Pool Party.
