MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Magnum Street Dance made a hugely successful return to Montego Bay, St. James on Monday night as crowds packed the Catherine Hall Sports Complex to experience a night of entertainment presented by the Reggae Sumfest team.
This was followed on Sunday by an equally successful Family Fun Day, kicking off Reggae Sumfest’s week of events, which culminates with stage shows on the Friday and Saturday.
Monday’s Streetdance featured a fantastic line-up of DJs who kept the crowd engaged all night, creating the perfect atmosphere with selections from Jamaican music legends such as Barrington Levy, Beres Hammond, Freddie McGregor and Sizzla. The vibe was pure dancehall, with a diverse and energetic crowd including the usual ‘Nutsy’s’ and ‘Hornmen’ creating an eclectic atmosphere.
Montego Bay resident Shanae Cameron said she had been looking forward to the event since February.
“I’ve been looking forward to this event for months, and when I heard about it in February I thought, ‘I’m going to miss you not being able to come and see me,'” she laughed.
Cameron, who attended with three friends, expressed his gratitude to the Reggae Sumfest team for putting on the free event.
“We’re really grateful that Reggae Sumfest has added this to their calendar. We can just dress up and go out and have a good time, which makes us really happy.”
Sponsor Sunshine Snacks also praised the event, highlighting its commitment to supporting authentic Jamaican culture and charitable causes.
“The beauty of Reggae Sumfest is that it’s authentically Jamaican. At Sunshine Snacks we are fascinated by all things Jamaican – we love the people, the atmosphere, the food and of course the music, and this event allows you to experience it all. There is literally nothing like it anywhere in the world,” said Brand Manager Jorja Clarke.
She added: “I’ve been going to Sumfest for years and the event has definitely gone from strength to strength. You can really see that by looking at the turnout this year. The crowd is out in full force. Kudos to Reggae Sumfest, you’ve all been working hard and it’s paying off.”
Title sponsor Magnum echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community support and the event.
“We were thrilled to see so many people come out to Magnum Street Dance. We love the event because it’s free, in the spirit of giving back and is well supported by the community. Magnum is a brand that wholeheartedly supports dancehall and street dance is at the core of that, so this is one event we’re proud to be part of,” said Brand Manager Brandon Wallace.
He continued: “Not everyone can experience night one or two of the festival, so Street Dance is where the community comes together to get a taste of the Sumfest experience. Bring your family and friends and experience the dancehall we all love and support.”
The street dance proved a sure hit with the crowd, who stayed put until the early hours of Tuesday morning. The event’s host, triple X, brought his usual high energy to the stage, keeping the crowd entertained.
Guest performer Layden performed a captivating set including hits such as “Time To Shine,” “Really Like You” and “Working Hard.”
The entertainer said he was thrilled to perform in front of his fans in Montego Bay and expressed his gratitude to the Reggae Sumfest team for giving him the opportunity.
“When I heard from Reggae Sumfest that I’d be performing at Streetdance I was excited and elated. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to returning to the festival’s main stage one day.”
1 Comment
I enjoyed the show and can’t wait for Dancehall Night.