1 month ago
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As the final lines of verse faded into the night and the last applause of the evening’s literary segment drifted out to sea, Calabash International Literary Festival, Treasure Beach on Friday was far from winding down. Instead, the Festival shifted gears, seamlessly trading pages for performance as the Midnight Ravers segment took over. From midnight to 2 a.m., the beach transformed into a living, breathing soundscape, where music told its own kind of story.
Midnight after-parties have long been a hallmark of the Calabash experience, marrying the introspection of literature with the soul-stirring pulse of live Jamaican music. And in 2025, with the theme ‘Bless Up’, the energy felt especially potent.
Taking the stage first was genre-bending reggae artiste Zac Jones, who brought heat to the cool midnight air. His set was a powerful blend of introspective lyrics and danceable beats. Songs like Lonely and The Weed Song showcased his emotional range and lyrical edge, but it was Treasure Beach – an ode to the very community hosting the festival – that truly struck a chord. Mid-performance, Jones announced that he will be releasing his début album.
“The album is called Treasure Beach, and it’s really a love letter to the place that raised me,” he told the audience.
Next up was reggae-soul powerhouse, Jaz Elise, who immediately captivated the audience by opening her set with the soulful Gratitude. With her signature mix of reggae, R&B, and soul, she delivered an emotionally rich performance, including crowd-pleasing After 3, Fresh and Clean, and the ever-vibrant Rice & Peas. Her stage presence was magnetic – equal parts grounded and glowing – as she brought the crowd deeper into the spirit of the night.
“The smiles and the interaction – they were very communicative, and I love that with the audience,” said Jaz Elise after her set. “It’s kind of a sit-down, stand-up event – you could see people rocking in their chairs, then standing up, then sitting back down, just enjoying themselves.”
Looking ahead, Elise also gave a hint of what’s next in her journey.
“Lots of new music I’ve been working on – my first project, my baby project,” she said. “I can’t say when it’s dropping just yet, but expect a lot more energy, a lot more live performances, and a lot more of my story this year.”
Rounding out the night was roots-reggae stalwart Mortimer, whose velvet vocals and commanding stage presence closed the show on a high note. Songs like No Lies and You and Me captivated the audience, but it was his explosive performance of the fan-favourite Lightning that brought the beach to its feet in a collective, swaying chorus.
Backstage, Mortimer shared with The Gleaner that he will be heading on tour later this month, with stops including London, England.
“Tonight was amazing for me. Every time I get the opportunity to share my art and my music with people, it’s an amazing time. In this time and space that we’re in now, the way the world is now, any injection of love and togetherness is of vital importance,” Mortimer said.
He also reflected on what made Calabash feel different from other stops. “Poetry, art, music, it gets no better than that. Nothing can compare to this. When we join in a space like this to honour creation and creativity, it’s a joy.”
Mortimer remained tight-lipped about new collaborations but shared that he is “always working on music”.
“I just did a tour with Romain Virgo a couple of weeks ago. Next up is England, then Anguilla, and then more summer dates. We’re grateful for the opportunity,” Mortimer said.
Calabash 2025 night one ended on a high, with attendees getting more than they bargained for as they grooved the night away.
English (US) ·