The Barbados Reggae Weekend (BRW) might soon be coming to a screen near you.
In an exclusive interview producer Ryan Brathwaite revealed plans to expand the festival’s accessibility through streaming options.
“I’m thinking that next year we will not only want to have it for local consumption, but we may consider perhaps doing an event where persons across the world can consume from where they are. We want to attract visitors to the island but for those who cannot make it to the island we are looking at doing some streaming.
“We’re considering pay-per-view options and this opens up new revenue streams and broadens our reach,” Brathwaite explained.
Brathwaite, a seasoned figure in the island’s entertainment scene described the BRW – held April 25, 26 and 27 – as “satisfying” and “successful,” looking at the event’s overall execution and patron experience.
“I am satisfied with how everything went – from logistics to the quality of entertainment,” he stated. “The feedback we’ve received has been encouraging and it’s clear that our focus on quality really paid off. We want patrons to feel they got their money’s worth, and based on the reviews, I believe we achieved that.”
He elaborated on what made this year’s BRW stand out. “It was a success, no doubt. Success isn’t just about finances; it’s about delivering on our plans and meeting expectations. From both perspectives – logistics and audience satisfaction – we believe we did quite well,” Brathwaite stated.
Every large-scale event comes with hurdles and BRW was no exception. Brathwaite highlighted the challenges faced during the planning and execution phases. “Being our second year, we’ve learned a lot. The biggest challenge was the unexpected health issues among some of our legends, which affected the line-up,” he explained. “For instance, the absence of one of our headliners, Supercat [on Friday night], was a setback. However, our performers were so talented and prepared that the show still kept its depth, and patrons left satisfied. That’s a testament to the quality of our line-up.”
He touched on logistical adjustments made to accommodate artistes arriving late or needing special arrangements. “We had to do some shifting on Sunday night, but overall, the event remained seamless,” Brathwaite noted. “Our team is experienced and their problem-solving abilities ensured everything ran smoothly.”
Comparing this year’s event to its inaugural edition, Brathwaite shared that improvements were made to streamline operations. “Last year, we faced more technical complexities, especially with the band changes. This year, we deliberately chose acts that transitioned smoothly between performances, which made a noticeable difference,” he said.
Selection of artistes was a strategic process, aimed at balancing legendary acts with fresh talent. “We consider what our patrons want – energy, quality, and variety. We discussed among the team to ensure the line-up resonated with the audience,” he explained. “We’ve received positive feedback and while perfection is elusive, we strive to get as close as possible.”
Brathwaite was quick to point out that the strength of the event lay with his dedicated team. “Our team is seasoned; they understand how to solve problems quickly. Every member is capable and aligned with our vision,” he said. “This collective experience is vital to maintaining and elevating the quality of BRW.”
Financially, the event is still predominantly supported by personal investment, with sponsorships playing an important but supplementary role.
“We have our partners, we have our joint sponsors . . . we have our strategic partners, but the financial play for this event is mainly personal still. We want to get it to the point where we would encourage more sponsorship and as the years go on we would see more sponsors coming on board as they see the product and see the quality of the product we are putting on.
“But for sure there’s a heavy financial overlay personally to ensure that the show can actually start and start advertising and that kind of thing. So we’re happy for our sponsors but as we go from strength to strength we would like to not only encourage our local sponsors but also attract regional and international sponsors as well as we try to take the entertainment that we have on island to the world,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Brathwaite envisions BRW evolving from a local festival to a regional, even international, flagship event. “We want Barbados Reggae Weekend to be the premier reggae festival in the Caribbean,” he declared. “People are already coming from neighbouring countries, and we’ve seen international interest grow, especially with social media influencers like TikTok star Moliy promoting the event.”
In the next five years, Brathwaite hopes BRW becomes a must-visit event for travellers.
“We want to be the destination for people planning their vacations or travel to think about the Barbados Reggae Weekend and it becomes an event they cannot or wouldn’t want to miss.
“We want to emulate festivals like St Lucia Jazz or the St Kitts Music Festival, establishing Barbados Reggae Weekend as a top-tier destination festival,” he shared. “Our goal is for visitors to see BRW as a highlight of their Caribbean experience and for it to become a key part of our national cultural identity.”
As the festival continues to grow, Brathwaite remains committed to maintaining its authenticity while expanding its influence. “We’re proud of what we’ve built and we’re just getting started,” he concluded. “The future of Barbados Reggae Weekend is bright, and we’re excited to see it flourish in the years to come.”
