After 40 years, Quito, the beloved reggae icon, took the stage for the final time with his band Quito & The Edge, delivering a memorable performance that encapsulated his decades-long influence on the genre.

Hosted by Heritage, the retirement concert showcased Quito’s enduring legacy in the British Virgin Islands and beyond. Quito opened with his timeless hit “Iron Strong,” immediately captivating the audience with his distinctive voice and charismatic presence.

Rymer, backed by Too Smooth Band, continued to delight fans with a setlist of classics. The crowd swayed and sang along to “She’s Coming,” “The Reggae Express,” and “Little Rudder Dub Dub,” each song a reminder of Rymer’s profound impact on reggae music.

In a deeply personal moment, Quito paused to perform an acoustic tribute to his mom and dad, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

The evening reached its zenith as Rymer performed “This is My Father’s Land,” a homage to his roots and heritage. The emotional weight of the song resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom have followed Rymer’s career since its inception.

Just as the night seemed to be winding down with the heartfelt “Bye, Bye, Bye My Little Love,” Quito exited the stage to applause, only to return for one last encore. He performed “We’re All Alike,” a powerful anthem calling for unity and the eradication of discrimination and hate. The song’s message of equality and togetherness was a fitting end to a career dedicated to spreading love and positivity through music.

In a touching final moment, Rymer sang an acappella rendition of “ooh Tortola,” a soulful tribute to the island he calls home. The crowd fell silent, hanging on every note, before erupting into a final wave of applause.

Photo: Kelvin Titleyt

The post Quito Rymer Bids Farewell to Legendary Reggae Career in Final Concert appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

Addressing concerns about the frequency of such events after a decade-long hiatus, Premier Wheatley emphasised the economic advantages and global precedent of leveraging entertainment as a tourism strategy.

Asserting the value of hosting multiple musical events, Premier Wheatley dismissed the notion that the BVI should limit itself to a single music festival. “Some persons have promoted the concept that you can only have one Music Festival. Well, that’s nonsense. I’ll say that very directly,” he declared.

“The whole concept that it’s a waste of money, I believe, will be proven to be false,” Premier Wheatley asserted. “And I’ll add this about the opposition. Several of them are in government between 2011 and 2019. And they used to give plenty money to the music festival. And I find that often the opposition have selective memory… When these events happen, we should all be cheerleaders for the event, we should help to promote the events. We should be telling the world to come to the Virgin Islands as Virgin Islands patriots not playing politics.”

Premier Wheatley highlighted recent events, such as the “black on black” gathering, which attracted visitors from neighbouring regions, as evidence of the tourism potential of multiple festivals. He underscored the role of such events in bolstering tourism numbers and contributing to the overall success of the Virgin Islands.

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts between the government and private individuals in organising festivals, Premier Wheatley expressed confidence in the economic benefits generated by these events. “These music festivals generate money not just for the tourist board, not just for the government, but for the entire economy,” he explained.

To measure the economic impact of the Virgin Islands Music Festival and other events, Premier Wheatley announced plans to commission a study by the Central Statistics Office. “By the conclusion of this festival, we will have some idea of the economic impact not just to the BVI tourist, but not just to the government of the Virgin Islands, but the wider economy,” he stated.

In closing, Premier Wheatley expressed gratitude to the media and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in promoting tourism and cultural events in the British Virgin Islands.

The Premier’s remarks underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging cultural events to drive economic growth and enhance the visitor experience in the British Virgin Islands.

https://www.facebook.com/jtv55/videos/3398300120461763

The post Premier Defends Multiple Music Festivals in British Virgin Islands, Highlighting Economic Benefits appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.