Could Antigua and Barbuda, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, ever consider embarking on an exciting new initiative that could transform its musical landscape and bolster tourism ?
The idea of establishing a touring band composed of local artists has emerged as a potential game-changer for promoting the destination’s rich Carnival traditions and the exceptional music that flows from these twin islands.
This year has been particularly remarkable for the local music scene, with a record number of hits produced for the Carnival season. The surge in musical creativity has sparked conversations on social media, led by prominent soca artist Menance and a host of other local musicians.
Their discussions highlight a shared enthusiasm for harnessing the power of music to promote Antigua and Barbuda’s unique cultural identity and attract visitors from around the globe.
The proposed touring band would serve as a dynamic ambassador for the islands, performing at various events and festivals both locally and internationally. This initiative aims not only to showcase the talent of local artists but also to celebrate the infectious rhythms and lively spirit that define the islands’ Carnival season.
By taking the music beyond the shores of Antigua and Barbuda, the band could help establish a stronger connection with potential tourists, inviting them to experience the vibrant culture firsthand.
However, a crucial question lingers: will the country’s festival commission recognize and invest in the potential benefits of this initiative? Supporting and organizing a touring band could yield significant returns, both culturally and economically.
By investing in local talent, the commission has the opportunity to cultivate a thriving arts scene that enriches the cultural landscape while simultaneously boosting tourism revenue.
The prospect of a touring band is not just about music; it is a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride. Local artists have long been the heartbeat of Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival, and their voices deserve to be heard beyond the festival.
With the right support and organization, the touring band could become a powerful vehicle for storytelling, connecting audiences with the rich history and vibrant traditions of the islands.
In conclusion, as discussions around the establishment of a touring band gain traction, Antigua and Barbuda stands at a crossroads. The potential to elevate its Carnival and culture through music is immense.
By embracing this idea, the islands could not only celebrate their rich musical heritage but also pave the way for a new era of cultural tourism.
The time is ripe for the festival commission to recognize the fruits that can be harvested from this initiative, ensuring that the melodies of Antigua and Barbuda resonate far and wide, inviting all to join in the celebration of its enchanting Carnival culture.
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How are about they fix up town first with all the broke down buildings look at the so call museum the library historic places in town just disgusting. Start there first the government has the money.
Now you looking confusion. Antiguan music continues to go backward with jump and wine and wave your flag. Same music every year. The only artistes we can send to represent this country are Tian and CP. I would suggest we send a steel band side along with a small costume band. Travel is expensive and we needs roads and water first.
We need the ministry of creative industry
To put community music competition in place along with a theme,so artistes can become more creative in their music skills….
I disagree entirely that the young musicians are doing any creative music that will be taken seriously outside of Antigua. I like to call such music ” ne ne, ne ne ” music, as started by the fellows that did, ” Want Kentucky”. At the time, I wrote that, that music is not something that will be accepted and so said, so done, as they were booed off the stage in Trinidad. Since then, no attempt has been made to improve the music and we go on to reward songs like, “Gaston…Browne, open up the town”, that are totally ignored outside of Antigua.
Now in comparison to Burning Flames, Vision Band etc, these youngsters are way out of whack! The problem is, the age old Antiguan problem of “me-ism”; not really caring or aspiring to what went before. True they have been keeping the rhythm -box but what about the musical virtuoso of Onyan, Ungko, Krokus, Jaggar Martin, Big Boy Mason etc. These guys are still alive and I am sure would be happy to teach these youngsters to play “real music”. Depending on computers and stems will not get you anywhere. I listen to the Nugen band and clearly they have the energy but, can’t someone teach them to properly, “tun tune” and play an instrument?
These are my assessments but someone has to be honest and tell them like it really is. Hope they listen. If anyone question my assessment, I just want to say, I was right when I said sending those chaps to Trinidad was going to be an embarrassment for us. I am making the same prediction here.
Why not have a Wadadli management team and promoters get the soca stars with the best music and a band together and try to have them book to perform at the various carnival across the region and world? Trinidad been doing this for sometime now with various groups, Ricardo Due was link to the Blaxx group, but we in Wadadli tends to look towards the government for everything.
The shit is if your music was good in the first place and considered a real hit not here but across the world, you will be invited to perform in carnivals all around the world on your own just like how we kept inviting the Trini’s here year after year with huge sell out crowds.
We kept comparing ourselves to TnT, but every year all we do is make songs just for Antiguans, not even our so call stars can get the cross the region and world invitation treatment as the Trinidad, Grenada or even St. Croix artists and by the way we didn’t send them i.e Kentucky to TnT, back then it was part of the deal where the winner automatically gets a pass.
Yo we’ve been crowning crap since this Jumpy soca competition came on the scene, but we accept it. We praised the so-called music and the great improvement of the art form as we claimed and move on.
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