Entertainment

Tems to Headline Tipsy Music Festival 2024 in Barbados

Get ready, Caribbean music lovers! Tipsy Music Festival (TMF) is thrilled to announce that Nigerian sensation Tems will be headlining this year’s festival in Barbados, marking her very first performance in the Caribbean region. On July 21, Tems will take the stage on Day 2 of TMF, bringing her soul-stirring vocals and global hits to the gem of the Caribbean, in beautiful Barbados.

Tems has taken the music world by storm with chart-topping singles like “Essence” and “Free Mind,” earning her international acclaim and a massive fanbase. Her unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and soulful melodies has redefined contemporary music, making her the perfect headliner for TMF 2024.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Tems as our main headliner for Tipsy Music Festival 2024,” said the event organizers. “Her debut performance, not only in Barbados but in the Caribbean is going to be historic, and we know she’s going to deliver an unforgettable experience for all our festival-goers.”

Tems’ performance will be even more special as she is set to release her highly anticipated debut album, Born in the Wild, on June 7. Festival-goers will be among the first to experience some of her new popular releases live on the TMF stage, making this a truly memorable event.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Joining Tems on the TMF stage will be co-headliners Machel Montano and Shenseea. Montano, the King of Soca, will bring his high-energy performance and infectious beats, promising to get everyone dancing. Shenseea, fresh off the success of her smash single “Hit and Run” and the release of her latest music video for “Neva Neva,” will add her signature style and vibrant energy to the lineup.

“We’re thrilled to have Machel Montano and Shenseea join Tems as our co-headliners,” added the organizers. “This lineup is a dream come true for music fans, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience these incredible artists live at Tipsy Music Festival.”

With Tems’ Caribbean debut, Machel Montano’s electrifying soca vibes, and Shenseea’s dynamic performance, this year’s Tipsy Music Festival is set to be the event of the Summer. Don’t miss out on the musical magic happening this July 20-21 in Barbados!

For further updates on the festival lineup and additional exciting announcements, visit www.tipsymusicfestival.com or follow Tipsy Music Festival on social media platforms. (PR)

Entertainment

Spirit of the Nation this weekend November 16

Entertainment

The Richard Stoute Contest Finals Tomorrow November 9 & 10th

The Richard Stoute Contest 2024, co-produced by the National Cultural Foundation, has reached the final turn of the race. Twenty eager competitors are now preparing for the finals of the Over 21 and Teen Talent categories.

The ten Over 21 finalists are Alicia Alleyne, Zoe Armstrong, Kimberly Allen, Shaquan Smith, Amirah Cordice, Shaneka George, Jaleesa Greaves, Jacqueline Stoute, Lisa Hackett and Kenyah Joseph. The ten Teen Talent finalists are Kadarius Allen, Joshua Osbourne, Kayla Alleyne, Jasmine Walkes, Kyrique Alleyne, ZZ Cumberbatch, Kymani Devonish,Roneisha Alleyne, Joshua Osbourne, Jaliah Thompson, and Kenaz Walker.

Simply by making it to this point in the competition, these competitors join a special class of Barbadian entertainers, all of whom experienced the training and development that comes with taking the Richard Stoute stage. Since its inception in 1976, the Richard Stoute Contest has given birth to several Barbadian musical favourites. One of these is 1983 winner of the competition Edwin Yearwood who was referred to then as “the baby of the competition” by journalist Linda Deane. Singing Wildflower and You Are So Beautiful, a tribute to his mum, he won the seventh teen talent competition, beating AndersonArmstrong and Terencia “TC” Coward who would both later become his contemporaries in the soca arena. In a 1983 article about the contest, Linda Deane referred to the three as “the ones with the better chances of success”. TC would place second in that competition. Just three years later, in 1986, now global soca queen Alison Hinds was also a finalist in the Richard Stoute Contest.

Fast forward to the 90’s and many popular names in the Crop Over arena were singing and winning the transformative competition. In its sixteenth year, a twenty-year-old Adrian”AC” Clarke sang his way to the crown with his rendition of Jackie Opel’s Higher and Higher (his first time singing spouge) and Calypso Traveller. The very next year, his future Coalishun bandmate Rupert “Rupee” Clarke won the crown at just eighteen years of age. His winning songs were Frankie Paul’s “Sarah” and Stevie Wonder’s “Lately”, earning him a standing ovation in the Wildey Gymnasium along with a red Suzuki Swift, driving lessons from Cox Driving School and a trip to a Caribbean island of his choice. The 90’S would also see Barbadian balladist Betty B win the 1998 contest while performing artiste Ishiaka McNeil took the1999 crown.

The start of the new millennium was not without its future household names as Barry Chandler, who sang Vehicle and Wildflower(in tribute to his own mother and single mothers) amidst a standing ovation in George Street Auditorium, sang his way to the crown in the year 2000.

There are several more names throughout the years including popular band Spice & Company and 2024 Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop contenders Darin Holder, Trinity Clarke and Shontae Alleyne-Clarke. Undoubtedly there isevidence that the environment of the Richard Stoute Contest breeds exceptional talent. Speaking about the competition in the year 2000 Barry Chandler spoke about Founder Richard Stoute saying “He not only taught me how to sing my songs properly, he taught me discipline, and I want to thank him for that”.

In a recently held press conference at The National Cultural Foundation NCF Music Officer assigned to the contest, Aisha Butcher, assured Barbadians the NCF will continue to uphold Richard’s legacy and standards while introducing innovations. These innovations include state-of-the art equipment, additional vocal coaches and a separate competition for the Over 21 age group. “We were happy to see that registration doubled this year [for the Over 21 age group] and the quality is on par with prior competitions”, Butcher stated.

The National Cultural Foundation has also introduced The Richard Stoute Award and The Spouge Award as part of their strengthened approach this year. The Richard Stoute Contest 2024 Finals will take place, tomorrow, Saturday November 9th (Over 21s) and Sunday November 10th (Teens) at The Derrick Smith School

and Vocational Centre

Entertainment

Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony This Friday

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment will host the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony this Friday, November 1, marking the start of the annual community Independence celebrations.

This year’s ceremony will be held under the theme Celebrating Our Communities: Re-engaging, Re-igniting, Re-imagining, and will take place on Friday, November 1, at 5:30 p.m., at National Heroes Square, The City.

Following the Lighting Ceremony, the celebrations will continue with a Bajan Brew at 7:00 p.m., offering an evening filled with spouge, drama, song, and steel pan performances.

The event is free and open to all, providing an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Barbados as we celebrate Independence.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early and make any necessary transportation arrangements due to expected road closures in the vicinity of Wharf Road and Trafalgar Street. (PR/GIS)