Antigua and Barbuda’ One Nation Concert to Feature Bigger Acts as It Expands Into Regional Festival by 2026
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to transform Antigua and Barbuda’s One Nation Concert into a major regional music festival, emphasizing the need for bigger international acts to elevate the event’s appeal. Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne revealed that the concert will expand into a three-night festival by 2026, aiming to position it as a premier cultural event in the Caribbean.
“The intention is to scale up and get bigger and better artists to ensure this becomes not just a national staple, but a regional one,” Browne stated. “We want the One Nation Concert to be the premier music festival within the Caribbean, attracting visitors from all over.”
Browne highlighted the significant economic benefits the festival could bring, noting its potential to generate millions in sales for local businesses and boost Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product. He suggested that the event could be strategically timed to coincide with New Year’s celebrations, drawing high-net-worth tourists who typically visit destinations like St. Barts during the festive season.
“This is not just about music; it’s about creating a vibrant ecosystem that supports tourism, hospitality, and local vendors,” he explained.
Securing internationally renowned performers will be a key component of the festival’s growth. Browne acknowledged the high costs of booking top-tier acts, citing an example of a Marley Brothers concert costing up to half a million US dollars. Despite the expenses, he affirmed the government’s commitment to investing in the festival’s expansion to attract regional and international audiences.
Looking ahead, Browne envisions the One Nation Concert evolving into a cultural hub that unites the Caribbean through music. While addressing logistical concerns, including ticket pricing and event timing, he emphasized the importance of sustaining the festival without relying entirely on government funding.
“This year, we charged $100 for tickets, and while attendance was smaller compared to the free concerts of the past, it’s a necessary step to ensure the event remains viable and continues to grow,” he remarked.
As plans for the 2026 festival take shape, Browne called for collaboration with local stakeholders and event organizers. He also hinted at the potential inclusion of various music genres to attract a wider audience, ensuring the event’s appeal across diverse cultural backgrounds.
“This is about creating something that lasts—a celebration of our culture and our people that resonates far beyond Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne said.
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Spending the public purse on entertainment when machines at the hospital are down, infrastructure is terrible, security cameras are needed across the country to combat crime, etc.
Whilst some of the ideas behind this has some appeal, (who would not want to see a Rhianna headline a concert), we have to balance those ideas with the ability of nationals to afford it as well as can the country really make genuine profit from that to put back into nation building.
How inclusive will it be, also can we have other less expensive local and regional concerts to showcase our less seen talents who can then make it to the bigger stage. Promotion and promoters will be key.
Good idea to expand on.
The government needs to get out and stay out of the Promotion Businesses. All they should be doing is collecting the taxes from these events.
They are competing with entrepreneurs who don’t have access to certain agencies to write 🖋️ f losses and hide other nefarious activities when it comes to the entertainment industry. Let me private businesses take the [risks].
Take On Broadway or Off Broadway…private investments!
Social Media Entertainment except for the now banned Tik_Tok…private investments.
Print to STREAMING…private.
Hollywood…private business’s
Bollywood…private businesses
The MEGA TRILLION DOLLAR CHURCHES…all private businesses.
In all the above mentioned, the government only regulate and investigate for compliance of all these various forms, of ENTERTAINMENT.
Why not just pass a decree and call it ABLP FREE FETE. Give it a whole week.
Bring in The #BURNING_MAN FLAVA
#RAP
#GANGSTA_RAP
#GRUNDGE
#COUNTRY_n_WESTERN
#OPERA
#TECHNO
Just add whatever…
One simple question for the government with this HOSTILE TAKE OVER of the Entertainment Industry (the GOOD, the BAD, the UGLY); why have they not attempted, to take over the YACHTING INDUSTRY and its High End forms of entertainment?
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De’ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat_Garrat
Vere C. Edwards