News of a superstar lineup at the Bermuda Music Festival dominated headlines. Although the promised acts wowed residents, the cost to bring the artists to Bermuda raised a few eyebrows.

One of the stars that performed at the Festival was paid $500,000, with a further $500,000 set aside for expenses. Those costs alone totalled almost half the $2.2 million spent on the ten acts that performed. The next highest fee was $275,000 including expenses, followed by $150,000 plus $50,000 expenses. The remaining acts charged fees ranging from $10,000 – plus $2,000 in expenses – to $75,000 including expenses.

Although it was never confirmed which star received the $1 million payment, it was suspected to have been multiple Grammy award-winning artist Beyoncé.

The second highest fee, which most likely went to Alicia Keys, was $425,000. The artist also received a $75,000 stipend for expenses.

Premier Ewart Brown said a combined $1.57 million would be spent on fees and a further $660,000 on expenses including air travel, food and drink, production or set costs, costumes and dancers.

In 2007, when comparative old-timers like Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Earth Wind And Fire were the main attractions, a total of $1.68 million was recouped from ticket sales ($1 million), sponsorship ($573,000), Trophy Suite rental ($80,000) and ancillary revenue ($27,000). Last year's ticket sales totalled 11,578, including 3,090 bought by visitors and 8,488 by residents.

Tropical Storm Bertha

Tropical Storm Bertha was upgraded to a category three hurricane on July 8 but weakened before it reached Bermuda. The first hurricane of the season, it had sustained winds of 100 knots with gusts of 120. By the time it had reached category three strength, the system was about 1,000 miles south southeast of the Island. Bertha curved northwest as she passed to the east of Bermuda that weekend, reverting back to category one status.