Strict schedule promised for Unruly Fest

Unruly Fest: Popcaan and Friends in Concert is poised to become St Thomas' signature live music event. But for this new event to go off without a hitch, it takes more than just a stellar line-up.

Event coordinator Sharon Williams churns the cogs behind the scenes, and she is imploring patrons to observe their part of the schedule. At Unruly Fest on Saturday, December 22, at Lyssons Park, the gates will open at 6 p.m. and showtime is 9 p.m. sharp.

"I want to impress upon people come out early. If they don't learn this year, they're going to learn next year. We plan to be on time," Williams told THE STAR.

Whether or not the Unruly Squad manages to hold steady on a tightly run ship this weekend, they are already readying the sails for 2019.

Williams said: "We're bringing it back because we don't have East Fest or even Saddle to the East. St. Thomas needs its signature event."

INTERNATIONAL GUEST

Besides seeing the Unruly Boss in concert, fans are most intrigued about Popcaan's special international guest. However, Williams was tight-lipped about who that act might be.

No matter who makes it to the Unruly stage, Lyssons Park can hold approximately 15,000 people, and Williams is expecting that many.

In addition to Popcaan, other performers billed for the highly anticipated concert are Tanya Stephens, Cocoa Tea, Bounty Killer, Dexta Daps, Agent Sasco, Dre Island, Jah Vinci, Jah Frass, Bushman, Iba Mahr and I-Wayne.

More than bringing in fans from across the island, Unruly Fest is meant to support St Thomas' economy. According to Williams, resources needed to stage the major production were sourced in the parish, before outsourcing to others.

"It's a massive undertaking, but we want to support the local businesses as much as possible. If I need chairs, one person may only have 100, but we sourced in-parish wherever possible," she assured.

Unruly Fest is not the only live music event set for the upcoming weekend. On the same night, Koffee, Lila Ike, Naomi Cowan, Yanah and Sevana will take over Skyline Levels for Live From Kingston, and in Stony Hill, reggae singer Gyptian will headline Gypy Winter Festival. Slated to perform at that event are Bascom X, Maestro Don, Aidonia, Capleton, Beenie Man and Kranium.