Reggae, Soca, Glow and Final Lap Cap
The Lavida Cottoy Festival Village has hosted several packed nights as part of the British Virgin Islands' Emancipation Festival, with reggae, soca and glow-themed dancehall shows drawing hundreds of patrons (BVI News). New photos and coverage show Friday's penultimate Glow Night — headlined by Jamaican dancehall star Popcaan on August 7 — attracted a massive turnout, and organisers say the festival closes tonight with Festival Last Lap featuring local and regional acts and free admission (BVI News/Jerome Morton).
The Lavida Cottoy Festival Village has been buzzing throughout the Emancipation Festival series as crowds turned out for a string of marquee nights showcasing regional and international talent. Earlier in the festival International Reggae Night drew hundreds of patrons for one of the weekend highlights.
Jamaican reggae star Sizzla Kalonji headlined the show, supported by a strong local and regional lineup that included Shaneil Muir, Kyah Nation, I'RTical and OMG. The evening was masterfully hosted by Floyd 'Heritage' Burnett, and from the opening acts to the headliner attendees sang along and danced well into the early hours, creating a communal, celebratory atmosphere across the festival grounds (BVI News).
The festival’s momentum carried into the following night with Soca Invasion on Saturday, August 1, which again packed the venue. Patrons waved flags and danced to an energetic lineup that featured Xclusive, Triple Kay, Lil Natty & Thunda, Problem Child, VIBE and Trinidadian soca star Patrice Roberts — whose performance helped make that night one of the most vibrant of the series.
Vendors reported steady trade on both nights as food and drink stalls benefited from the steady stream of patrons (BVI News/Jerome Morton). New photos published by BVI News show the penultimate night — Glow Night on Friday, August 7 — also drew a large, enthusiastic crowd. The event, themed "Neon Bright Attire", was headlined by Jamaican dancehall artiste Popcaan and included performances from Final Faze, Stefan, Banco Bizmol, Boss, Popcaan VIBE and Lady Mix.
DJ Mac and DJ Malie kept the music flowing while Hashim The Dream served as host. BVI News photographer Jerome Morton captured highlights from the packed venue, documenting both the performers and the colourful, neon-clad crowd (BVI News/Jerome Morton). Organisers have kept the programme moving across all nights to ensure each act received strong crowd responses, and regional DJs and artists helped bridge sets to maintain energy.
For many residents the evenings offered an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, celebrate emancipation traditions and enjoy live music in a safe, organised setting. The festival concludes tonight with Festival Last Lap, themed "Drink the Bars Dry", featuring Da Villain, Dem ft Ramon G, OVA Drive, YFB, Mr Killa and OMG, with DJs Mac Milli and Carly Cartel on the turntables.
Admission for the final night is free, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early, use designated parking and transport options where available, and follow guidance from event staff for a smooth experience (BVI News). Whether readers missed the shows or want to relive the action, BVI News’ photo galleries by Jerome Morton offer vivid records of Reggae Night, Soca Invasion and Glow Night — underlining how the festival has showcased regional talent, supported small businesses and brought the community together over successive, well-attended nights (BVI News/Jerome Morton).
Primary source: BVI News