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A magnificent fireworks display heralded the year 2025 at Fireworks on the Waterfront in downtown Kingston, as children stared in fascination, couples kissed, and the selectors played the song which seems to have become the unofficial gospel anthem in Jamaica – Goodness of God.
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) event attracted what was arguably one of its biggest crowds ever, and among them were Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and his wife, Juliet, and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.
Entertainment was high on the minister’s agenda on New Year’s Eve, because when The Gleaner team left the Fireworks Festival for Marquee Entertainment’s Midnight ChiQ across the road at Nethersole Place, Grange and her party, which included her sister and brother-in-law, were present and enjoying the vibe.
It was the culture minister’s third event for the night, having started it off with Vybz Kartel’s Freedom Street at the National Stadium. Grange told The Gleaner that she was headed back to the National Stadium to end the night at Freedom Street.
Shining as brilliantly as the 11-minute fireworks display, was the collective performances from the artistes billed for the Kingston leg of the UDC event, which unfolded smoothly and professionally with no fights or any boorish drama among the artistes. The good vibe flowed throughout the night, and on the line-up were Chalice, Louie Culture, Kevin Downswell, Alaine, Samory I, Orville Sutherland, Mortimer and Janeel Mills.
Not advertised for the event was Rodney ‘Bounty Killer’ Price, who ended up closing the show in fine style, performing a slew of tracks before heading over to the stadium to join Kartel and friends. Bounty came prepared with an uplifting message for the youth, pointing out that “the message in the music is important”, and he took time to “give thanks and praises to the Almighty for keeping us to see another year”. Overflowing with lyrics, his set ranged from R&B to consciousness to hardcore dancehall, and he even paused to rebuke the “lickie, lickie man dem” who are always begging for lions on TikTok.
Gospel artiste Kevin Downswell was originally scheduled to close the concert and he arrived at the venue early. As the first artiste to hit the stage for 2025, he came out strong at 12 minutes past midnight, and the fans loved every minute of his half-hour performance, which included songs such as Already Done, Carry Me, That’s Enough, Feel Like Running, and of course, You Make me Stronger.
Legendary reggae band Chalice performed prior to Downswell and they delighted with hits from their catalogue, which still sounded fresh four decades later. Songs such as Praise Him and Good to Be There were winners, and so too was the energetic Revival Time. Chalice also did a section, titled ‘Tribute to the heroes’, in which they performed songs from greats such as Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Bunny Wailer. Singer and musician Grub Cooper was a special guest vocalist for Chalice at the event.
Chalice was making their first appearance at the Fireworks Festival, which was celebrating 21 years, and band leader Wayne Armond shared his honest opinion.
“It was rushed … but it was a beautiful event for us. I think that they have too many artistes, and they can’t control the time. But the guys who made the event happen are really great to do what they are doing. I really thank them …. but for us, it could have been a little more comfortable,” Armond said.
Chalice last performed locally in February 2023, giving a performance at Plantation Cove and then at the park in Montego Bay. Armond, who is based in the States, was in Jamaica earlier this year for the funeral of drummer Desi Jones, who was a foundation member of Chalice.
Earlier in the evening, Louie Culture gave a commanding performance; Alaine excited; and the roots reggae element was strong, with Rastafarians Samory-I and Mortimer as ambassadors.
Held under the theme ‘Life, Love and Harmony’, the UDC noted that Fireworks Festival 2024 was a celebration of music and culture, as well as “a testament of its ongoing efforts to revitalise Jamaica’s urban spaces”. Events were held simultaneously at the Kingston Waterfront, Ocho Rios Bay Beach in St Ann, and Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St James.
English (US) ·