Uzi kidding? Local act is back in
Local reggae artist Uzimon is back in the line-up for the America’s Cup Jam, music organiser Tony Brannon has confirmed.
“Uzi’s on board,” Mr Brannon told The Royal Gazette, after the performer — otherwise known as Daniel Frith — baulked at ticket prices and what he felt was a paucity of local talent.
A pledge to give away hundreds of tickets helped mollify the performer, along with the inclusion of local artists The Kings, and Nadanja.
Mr Brannon said there would be entertainment on the night before the October 17 concert with local entertainers DJ Chubb, DJ Felix and DJ Rusty G.
The show at the No 1 Shed on Front Street, for next month’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda, will bring international reggae acts Shaggy and Maxi Priest, as well as the Barbados soca band Spice and Company.
“Everybody that I know loves Uzimon — I think he was reacting from what people had posted about ticket prices,” said Mr Brannon.
“The bottom line is that he’s totally in the show and shifting more into doing his act as opposed to being the MC. We have Nadanja as MC. I think it’s going to be a great night.”
Mr Brannon said he had been impressed with the acoustic reggae by The Kings at Marcus’ in the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, and hoped to have them in line to open up the show.
Uzimon posted yesterday that he was back on board after declaring on Facebook that he would turn down the gig over ticket prices and a lack of local acts.
“I’ve just sacrificed paying work and a gig opportunity in order to stand up for my fellow Bermudians,” he added on that occasion. A happier Mr Frith went online to voice his happiness, adding that the tickets announcement would “nice up the masses”.
“The sponsor for the concert, Fidelity, plans to do a major ticket giveaway, which is something Uzimon didn’t know about — we were going to let that be a surprise,” Mr Brannon said, adding that ticket sales were proceeding briskly.
The show, which will include vendors along the sidewalks, LED light displays and fireworks, would be “the concert of the year”, he said.
Local vendors will take part in next month’s America’s Cup Jam — minus those with tobacco products.
According to a spokeswoman for the America’s Cup Event Authority, cigars and cigarettes will not be available for purchase at any of the ACEA’s events.
A member of the public contacted this newspaper to say that a vendor had been turned down for the concert on Front Street. However, rumours that smoking has been banned entirely from the show are misplaced.
“The laws in Bermuda as it relates to smoking in public places will apply to all ACEA events,” the spokeswoman said.
Local law forbids smoking in enclosed public spaces, but not in the open air.
