One of the most anticipated events of the holiday, the sixth edition of Cup Match Summer Splash is back and expected to be bigger than ever.
The concert has outgrown its longtime venue at Par-La-Ville Car Park and will be making a new home at the National Stadium South Field.
The two-night event kicked off with the ‘One Love One Life’ Concert on Saturday, July 28 with the return of legendary reggae artist, Beres Hammond and the Harmony House Band.
The event continues tomorrow evening, August 1 with Grammy nominated, Chronixx headlining in Bermuda for the first time, alongside Jamaican singer Kelissa.
We spoke to organiser Andrew Holmes of 441 Productions, about the decision for a venue change and the line-up for the event.
“The National Stadium is a world-class venue and we are thrilled to be presenting world-class talent for Cup Match Summer Splash 2018,” he said.
The tremendous support from the City of Hamilton from 2013 to 2017 has helped to mold the event into what it is today.
“There was no room to grow the event in the Par-La Ville-Car Park and other venues in the city presented significant challenges. Therefore, the decision was made to host the event at the National Stadium South Field, where the Bermuda Music Festival was once held. The new venue allows us to grow the event and enhance the experience of the patrons.”
The large-scale concert will be accompanied by video screens courtesy of Great Sound and Lighting, stage production and visuals, to accommodate for the 3,000 patrons expected for both shows.
“Beres Hammond is back and we are extremely excited”, Mr. Holmes said prior to this last weekend’s event.
“It has been 5 years since Mr. Hammond’s performance at Summer Splash and our team agreed it was the right time to bring him back.”
Tomorrow night, Chronixx takes to the stage backed by Zinc Fence Redemption in what the promoters believe is “one of the best shows in Reggae.”
“Whenever we book talent for Summer Splash the goal is to bring together a diverse crowd of people on island.” With hits like ‘Smile Jamaica’ and ‘Skankin’ Sweet’, the artists’ youthful energy is sure to do just that.
The promoters are especially excited about the show as they had been “working to book Chronixx for over three years”. He has a heavy touring schedule and Bermuda has been on the radar for some time.
The night will also feature performances from local musicians, Wall Street Band, Live Wires, special guest Ras Shiloh with Bermuda’s number one DJ Rusty G keeping the crowd warm.
Tickets are available online at bdatix.bm and can also be purchased at Peoples Pharmacy, Kit and Caboodle, 27thCentury Boutique, Jazzy Boutique, Belvins Variety, Audio Visual in Somerset, and Somers Supermart.
General admission tickets are $85 with access to the grandstand seating and the pitch. VIP tickets are $200 and includes separate venue access, two tented lounges with private bars, close proximity to stage, exclusive restrooms, plate of food, welcome drink and bottle of water.
For more information visit @wildapachepromotion or @441bda on Instagram or Cupmatch Summer Splash on Facebook.
This article was originally published in the 2018 edition of the RG Cup Match supplement.
