When international award-winning Barbadian star Rihanna took to the stage at the One Love concert last year, it was the crowning moment for organisers Volume Entertainment Inc.
Now, they are facing the daunting task of topping that, a challenge they are promising to meet.
But they are not letting the cat out of the bag just yet, only confirming that international soca star Machel Montano will be the headline act for the 2016 edition, with the Sugar Rush man Hypasounds and King Bubba among the local entertainers.
Creative Director of Volume Entertainment Inc., Lia Gajadhar said that unlike last year which focused on the stage performances, the July 31 show billed as the ultimate Crop Over climax event, will centre on patron experience.
“It was fantastic to have Rihanna come on stage and like 100 times even more that we got it out to the world live. We can’t match it. Yes, it was a huge investment but we are very glad that we did it and we think we can only build from here,” she said.
“How do we top that? We just stay true to ourselves. For us it is about the performances, it is about taking our cultural expression and creative industries. It’s what we love doing…So what’s going to top the show is that commitment to deliver a high-end performance, high-end every show and to follow through on the services also.
“I really want to touch people and say thank you for buying a ticket, thank you for enjoying the show and we really want you to come again.”
A launch party was held Friday night at the Concorde Experience, attended by business partners, tourism officials and others involved in the entertainment industry, among them Hypasounds and King Bubba.
Gajadhar promised more regional artistes will be in the 2016 line-up and said they will again partner with a telecoms company to provide the live stream for the Caribbean audience, most of whom accounted for the more than 40 000 viewers last year. (WILLCOMM)
