With mere days to go earlier than the curtains rise on the world’s best reggae competition, Reggae Sumfest, anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Set to unfold from July 13–19 in Montego Bay, the person on the helm—Sumfest boss Joe Bogdanovich—is beaming with pleasure.
In an unique interview with Caribbean Nationwide Weekly, the ever-passionate and flamboyant live performance promoter shared his ideas on this 12 months’s staging and the extraordinary momentum constructing across the occasion.
“We’re within the last-minute rush that Jamaicans are well-known for,” he chuckled. “We all know Jamaicans often wait till nearly present day to buy tickets. Night time 1 is sort of offered out. We nonetheless have a number of common and VIP tickets left, however we’re right down to only a few. In case you’re planning to be there, I’d transfer quick.”
In response to Bogdanovich, ticket gross sales are skyrocketing, and the demand has been nothing in need of phenomenal, largely fueled by one electrifying issue—the return of Vybz Kartel to Reggae Sumfest after a 13-year hiatus.
“The vitality surrounding Kartel’s return is electrical. Individuals have been ready for this second for years. It’s shaping as much as be a historic evening,” he stated confidently.
Reggae Sumfest would be the official coronation of Vybz Kartel as the brand new “King of the Dancehall.”
When requested if this might be the largest Sumfest ever, Bogdanovich didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely, it’s shaping as much as be one of many greatest stagings. Ticket gross sales are surging throughout the board, worldwide media curiosity is at an all-time excessive, and the thrill in Montego Bay is not like something we’ve seen shortly. It’s the proper storm—Kartel’s return, a stellar lineup of reggae and dancehall icons, and even a global contact with Toni Braxton on the invoice. The world is watching, and so they’re coming to Montego Bay.”
As one of the influential reggae and dancehall promoters globally, Bogdanovich has had a front-row seat to the style’s latest resurgence. He attended the 2 sold-out Vybz Kartel exhibits in Brooklyn, in addition to Bounty Killer’s explosive return to the Barclays Heart—a triumphant second for dancehall within the U.S.
“Dancehall isn’t simply alive—it’s thriving,” he exclaimed!
“Kartel’s rise is meteoric. These area exhibits show that Jamaican music continues to affect the world. What stood out was the emotional connection followers have. There’s loyalty and fervour that transcends borders,” he defined.
“For promoters like myself, the takeaway is obvious—we should preserve elevating the usual. Individuals need greater than a live performance; they need a full expertise. That’s precisely what Sumfest delivers, 12 months after 12 months.”
So what’s subsequent for Reggae Sumfest, we requested?
“We’re taking issues up one other stage. After this 12 months, the bar can be greater—and we’re prepared. Anticipate extra worldwide partnerships, extra modern experiences, and stronger digital integration so followers around the globe can really feel like they’re a part of the motion.”
Bogdanovich’s imaginative and prescient is obvious: Sumfest isn’t only a competition—it’s turning into a worldwide platform for Jamaican music and tradition.
And with Montego Bay bracing for a report inflow of followers and media, Reggae Sumfest 2025 is poised to go down in historical past. See you in Montego Bay!
