Reggae Sumfest Review
I have two words to say about Reggae Sumfest – JUST GO!!!!!!!
I’ve attended Sumfest twice so far, in 2006 and 2008. They both had one major thing (and a lot of minor things) in common. The major thing – WEAR ORTHOPEDIC SHOES! Or if you don’t have any, just wear flip flops but be prepared to endure! Or bring a chair to sit on during breaks.
Okay now onto all the great stuff! Reggae Sumfest is the best entertainment I’ve ever seen, next to Busta Rhymes and John Legend concerts. Where else can I see EVERY dancehall artist I want to see for a measly $35 US?? I was shocked that dancehall night was cheaper than International night for the value of the show. I’m guessing that’s because all the dancehall artists live there and don’t need to be flown in.
Sumfest is an annual outdoor event held in Montego Bay, that showcases everyone you could ever want to see in the dancehall and reggae circuits, and several international artists. Since I live in Western Canada, home of the weakest Caribbean vibes in the world, there is nowhere I can see 30 of my favorite artists in one weekend! All of Sumfest is a blur to me due to the fantastic times I was having but here are the performances I’ve seen that completely stand out in my mind right now:
Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa, Mavado, Elephant Man, Tarrus Riley, Gyptian, Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Etana, Busy Signal, Erup, Beres Hammond, Missy Elliot, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall, Black Rhyno, Demarco, Serani, Ninja Man, Anthony B, Voicemail, Assassin, Munga, Macka Diamond, need I go on?? And NO, T-Pain and Lil Wayne did NOT stand out in my mind.
The atmosphere at Reggae Sumfest is unrivaled if you’ve never been to a Jamaican concert before. I remember my first time, being in awe of the pure energy in the place. It was filled with about 25,000 Jamaicans with aerosol cans and lighters creating blow torches everywhere!
What to Bring to Reggae Sumfest
Money – You don’t want to miss out on some of the wicked food being sold at the booths. There are also several booths selling liquor and event souvenirs. And once the place gets SO crowded that you don’t want to leave your spot, you can easily buy whatever you want from the sellers weaving in and out the crowd. They have snacks, refreshments, cigarettes, gum, umbrellas, chairs and yes, even ganja.
A Chair – If you don’t want to pay the price of a desperate person and buy a chair at Sumfest, bring your own. Lots of people bring fold up chairs. I wish I had.
Your Camera – Don’t be afraid of the signs at the gate that say “no cameras” and the fact that they search your bags coming in. They’re looking for something else.
A catheter would be helpful too because its about a 30 minute process getting to and from restrooms at Sumfest. And as the night wears on the condition of the restrooms sadly suffers.
Where can you purchase tickets for Reggae Sumfest?
You can buy them online at www.reggaesumfest.com before you go to Jamaica OR you can pretty much buy them anywhere once you get to Jamaica. I bought mine in a clothing store in Ocho Rios.
Reggae Sumfest Tickets
Sumfest goes on all night into the morning light and I had to strain myself to last til 6AM. When I left it was still jumping and Beenie Man had yet to perform. I reached my hotel around 6:30AM and slept like a baby, then did it all over again the next night.
TIP: When leaving Sumfest, all the taxi drivers waiting inside the gates to drive people home?.they’re charters and will charge you an arm and a leg to get back to your hotel. You’re best to just leave and find your own Route Taxi out on the road. See “Taxis in Jamaica”.
8:00 pm on January 17th, 2009
Are you going to try to get a press pass?
8:50 pm on January 17th, 2009
I never thought about that but its a great idea! I guess I can do that now huh!
Not sure when I’ll make it back for Sumfest though….I don’t have any immediate July trips in mind. Just April and October. Next year?
12:19 am on January 18th, 2009
Press passes are cool, after a while you don’t have to ask for them they will send you an invite. Depending on where you site ranks in Google and how good your reviews are determines what goes along with the pass.
After reading your post I might try to make it down for this year’s sumfest!
12:45 am on January 18th, 2009
You should definitely check it out sometime! You won’t regret it but your feet and lower back will LOL.
I’ll be jealous if you go.
8:31 am on February 5th, 2009
Would you recommend a womna going there alone? I don’t know anyone who would join me.
6:35 pm on February 5th, 2009
I’ve been to Jamaica several times alone and I would definitely recommend it. It might be intimidating if its your first time but I could give you some tips and contacts of mine who live there if you decide to go.
As for Sumfest…YES you could go there alone! The place is so packed with so much entertainment it would be easy to make friends. You’re all crammed together enjoying the same show! If you want to go to Montego bay I have some links there. Just let me know.
9:21 pm on March 28th, 2009
Hey, I could use a press pass, How can I get one?
1:21 am on March 29th, 2009
Well you either have to be a member of the press OR write about such events on things like websites, blogs, etc.
11:20 am on April 8th, 2009
Fantastic website, and a great summary of SumFest. It seems you captured a lot of what I was trying to find. One question I still have is: my wife and I are a white couple from Pennsylvania. I haven’t noticed other white people in the photos I have seen. Reggae and rap have been my life blood since I got my first walkman 20 years ago. I would hate to miss an opportunity to go to an event like this but I wouldn’t want to be somewhere I don’t belong. Any thoughts? I wanted to get the VIP passes too, are they worth it?
12:25 pm on April 8th, 2009
Of COURSE you belong at Sumfest!!!! I’m a white female and often travel alone to Jamaica. Both times I’ve been to Sumfest I’ve been white LOL. Actually, if you know reggae music Jamaicans find that pretty amusing. There are plenty of foreigners that attend Sumfest though, you won’t be the only ones. And in hindsight, on the VIP pass thing, I would say YES they are worth it if you hate crowds because the regular area is CROWDED!!! I think they had room to breathe in the VIP section, we were standing right behind the fence and wishing were were in there.
2:31 pm on April 8th, 2009
Thanks Jamaica! Your quick and very positive response got me to book my trip today! We are very excited! Now I just need to get the tickets to SumFest!
2:50 pm on April 8th, 2009
Perfect!!! You’re gonna love Sumfest!! By the way, you can buy tickets anywhere once you get to Jamaica.
8:54 pm on May 30th, 2009
Irie! this is the first time we’re going to the sumfest with my friend, and we were a bit worry ’cause we cannot buy the tickets through the web (regulation issues) anyway i would like to know where did you get yours in ocho rios, has the store a website?
bless up!
9:06 am on May 31st, 2009
I highly doubt the store has a website. But almost everywhere sells them, you won’t have trouble finding a place to buy them. Just ask anyone in the street for Sumfest tickets and they’ll point you in the right direction. There were also several clothing stores in Montego Bay that sold them.
3:26 pm on June 24th, 2010
I love your blog! I just spent the better half of the afternoon reading *almost* all of your posts because I couldn’t get enough! I went to Jamaica for the first time in April, and I loved it so much, I’m going back again in July for Sumfest! Your entry was VERY helpful in what to bring, what to expect, etc. Thank you!
10:32 pm on June 24th, 2010
That’s awesome Amanda! I’ll be in JA for Sumfest too but unfortunately I’m to covercovering a show on the opposite end of the island, near Kingston. Won’t be attending Sumfest. But ENJOY to the fullest and let me know how you liked it!! Have a great trip!
12:45 pm on July 9th, 2010
I like this blog…great info. discovered it on yahoo. will save it as a favorite.
3:09 pm on July 9th, 2010
Thanks Brady. Are you really with Ward 21?? LOVE their production!