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Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Some years ago when we started the highways to Negril I predicted that Negril was going to become the entertainment capital of Jamaica. I vision a place where Jamaicans from all over Jamaica mainly from Kingston, Montego Bay and Ochi rolling into Negril every week end for entertain of all type feature music of all type but mainly reggae roots rock. My prediction has not happen so far. It has not happen for a number of reasons.
• As soon as it was about to take of the government the police on the music. One senior officer said in a meeting he was sent to Negril to control music.
• Shops , bars, and places that play music as part of their business model was targeted.
• The major hotels and some residents who said they want quite and the music is a issue for them, some of these people retired and make Negril their place of living.
• The local organizers have not done a good job of organizing and managing the music and the type of event.
• The class of people that that have the government ears are those that have issues with music particularly outdoor music.
• The way how the town is organize or lock there of .
We have seen the town move from a vibrant 24hr rocking town to now dealing with dead one at nights. As the town grows entrainment grow over the years. So some places that were tolerating music for two nights a week suddenly have to deal with it for seven nights. It should be noted that we are an outdoor culture.
It is true that the visitors now a days are different from those in the 70’s , 80’s and early 90’s when I started business in Negril. They don’t seem to be as fascinated about partying under the moonlight. They seem to want to party and then go home. Also many of the older tourist who are here every year are definitely not into all-night or loud music partying, many of them are not even drinking liquor any more. I have experience where I see a table in the garden with about eight people and thought they were drink and I might be making a good sale only to discover that they are not drinking liquor but rather drinking water.
The town faces a balancing act which is not an easy task. Local business needs entertainment/music to attract so they can a chance to make some money. The visitors are on the beach in the days. Afternoon they are in there hotel for dinner etc. Late night is when the local business get a chance to sell to some of them that are brave enough to venture out. If the police continue to pressure many local businesses will go out.
SOLUTION
• Requires some cooperation and support for local business.
• Technology to address the music volume
• Small business marketing (niche)
• Organize, organize and more organize so local business voice are very loud. There is a Negril Entertainment Association. They are doing their best. However they don’t always have the support of the authorities.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Negril wants it to be like the rest of Jamaica. There are a lot of powerful people with lots of investment in keeping Negril as quaint and quiet as possible.
Without regulations, Jamaicans will keep parties all night until the sun comes up the next day. Some like that but not the majority of those who go on vacation for some quiet time.
There is and always has been a disconnect between what Jamaicans want and what the tourists want and as long as the money is on the tourist side of the ledger, Negril will resist going down the highway towards being the entertainment capital of Jamaica.
Just my opinion
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Accompong
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Negril wants it to be like the rest of Jamaica. There are a lot of powerful people with lots of investment in keeping Negril as quaint and quiet as possible.
Without regulations, Jamaicans will keep parties all night until the sun comes up the next day. Some like that but not the majority of those who go on vacation for some quiet time.
There is and always has been a disconnect between what Jamaicans want and what the tourists want and as long as the money is on the tourist side of the ledger, Negril will resist going down the highway towards being the entertainment capital of Jamaica.
Just my opinion
right on bill!! you know your stuff . . .
personally, i am not a night person and want to enjoy my beach time.
hearing "noise" till 5 a.m. is not really what i want to do with my vacation time . . . .
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JitterBug
right on bill!! you know your stuff . . .
personally, i am not a night person and want to enjoy my beach time.
hearing "noise" till 5 a.m. is not really what i want to do with my vacation time . . . .
A case in point. Saturday night we had a sound system down the road about 100 yards away. This is a local system called Reggae King from Elderslie and the crowd kind of small but the sound was HUGE. We don't have police up here and thus no lock off time.
At about 3 or 4 in the morning, the DJ was shouting guttural animal noises into the microphone on top of what could only be considered noise making the result an ear-splitting din. You might get the impression that the locals liked it but when you talked to those who live near the venue you got a different point of view. The vulgarity and female demeaning was also an issue with people who have children but everyone just quietly acquiesced to what the minority wanted.
One man's music is another man's noise. Put Bob Marley on at night and people would enjoy it but the sound system people only play Marley music etc. until midnight or so when the REAL party begins (at least in their minds).
In Negril, the police would lock off the sound well before that happened. A good choice in my opinion.
Hi Jitters!
Peace and Guidance
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
About 15 years ago we stayed at Port Antonio a couple times. Walked the town every day...only white people we saw was us! The locals treated us with a curious aloofness. Like, why are these people here? We got the impression that, while they were polite and hospitable to us, they really didn't care to have tourists there. The "tourist industry" did not seem like a high priority for them. Don't know whether that has changed? An interesting couple of visits there though.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I always wondered if the locals are up all night listening to the loud music, whether willingly listening or not......how do the kids get quality sleep enough to do well in school and how do the adults get enough sleep to do quality work during the day....I think most of us who vacation in Negril, go there for the beauty of the island's scenery and not for the blasting music 'til 4 am every night......I don't mind a couple of times a week but not every night.....I probably would have to vacation elsewhere..
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Times have definately changed. When i started going to Negril Mi Yard was our hangout at night. We layed around on the beach all day recovering from the night before and after sunset we had a nap and then took in a show. After that it was off to Mi Yard and we could usually be found walking home as the sun was coming up. Now we maybe stop in once or twice but never stay the night. Not sure i would feel as safe as i once did walking the west end at that time of nite but we are also 20 yrs older now so what we want from our time in Negril has changed. We see many of the same people each year who are also getting older and it seems most of the new visitors to Negril stay in ai resorts and the ones who dont seem to be turned off by the hassles and never return. Kinda sad when you think about it. Also there doesnt seem to be as many big shows like there was years ago. I miss the way Negril was but we still love it and still discover new places and things and our desire to return hasnt changed. One thng that hasnt changed for us is our love for the people and how most of them treat us and welcome us. Friends who once worked where we always stay search us out when they hear we are there and not for a hand out but to see us and spend time with us. Those are lifelong friendships and the connection to the people that drives us to return as often as possible. I wish all visitors to Negril could develope connections and friendships like that.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Well said - Irieonline -
The days of "Big Shows " seem to have come and gone
-live music shows - or at least any of "great quality " are a thing of the past - over the years
Beres Hammond - MXIII- Shinehead- Ziggy Marley & the MM- Bounty Killer -Gregory, was the Wayne Newton of Negril- the Bob Marley bash -was filled with top notch talent
-the west end lost Kaisers/ Central park /MXIII/ Samsara- ALL had great venues ...
seems like the wave of the future is - Govt' Mule @ an AI -hmmm come to think of it Negril Escapes had a excellent lineup ..some time ago
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
If it were just weekends when the parties were happening then I believe most tourists would schedule their vacation plans around the happenings on the weekends, whether it be to attend or avoid parties. I will say my biggest disappointment in Negril is the lack of big name shows. I will also add that when I've had the chance to see a big name artist, it was entirely too late before they came on or they never showed up. Is govt mule coming on at 1 AM at the AI and does anyone doubt they will show? Most concerts in the US are done by midnight and the younger crowd goes out to a nightclub if they want to continue the party. I think the gap between Jamaican nightlife and the tourists idea of a nightlife is just too big these days.
I always say the key to anything being successful is consistency. The more you repeat the same experience the more those people attracted to that experience will come back and bring others looking for the same experience. Unfortunately Negril, being a tourist destination, doesn't have the option of measuring consistency over months but rather needs to measure consistency over years. This is because visitors only return once or twice a year.
People don't like change. Every time you make a change you risk aliening some of the current group in hopes of attracting a newer larger group to replace it. This is why branding is so important. Branding enables a person to trust what experience a particular brand will give them. When brands change too much, customers flee.
Negril needs to determine what its brand or brands (its large enough to offer multiple experience throughout the town) are going to be and then ensure current businesses aren't tarnishing that brand. New businesses should fit the brand its set out to establish. Then they also need to be consistent in ensuring businesses are delivering those experiences year over year. If you allow businesses to compete with each other for what the "brands" are going to be you risk having businesses trying to establish conflicting brands and conflict rarely produces consistency unless its constant conflict.
Of course this would not be easy and it would take years. Initially there would be winners and losers, just as there have been with recent changes in regulations. But eventually businesses will thrive as they consistently deliver the brand(s) established and tourists seek those experiences out year over year. Whatever it is they want Negril to be, they need to be consistent in trying to delivering it. It's only through consistency that tourists can learn how to tailor their vacations to avoid negative experiences and repeat the good experiences they have had in the past. It's also how businesses determine where best to establish their brand.
There's plenty of room to offer everyone whatever it is they are looking for in Negril today but it can't be done all in one small section of town without it creating conflicts.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I think nostalgia may once again be playing tricks with some memories. The "big shows" featuring Freddy McGregor, The Marley sons, John Holt and Shaggy were held on the cliffs at Negril Escape just 5 years ago. Since then, Rockhouse had a great concert series as recently as last year featuring the likes of Tarrus Riley and Chronixx:
http://negril.com/nt/nt022715.htm
Many of the performers remembered and mentioned have passed on. Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and John Holt are no longer with us.
For older fans, the Jolly Boys and Mighty Diamonds performed recently in Negril.
Etana, Tarrus, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica and the legendary Luciano and Yellowman are all regulars in Negril.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Seems like a tough balance of local culture and tourist culture. I'd love to have reliable on-time performances at the hours I'm used to in the US, but that doesn't seem to be the way it is. Many tourists say they want "local culture", well that doesnt seem to be early or quiet. A couple years ago we were staying on the cliffs and the most incredibly loud event went off all night until about sunrise. In the morning we inquired just WTF did we miss? Turns out it was a Dead Yard in honor of a well known local. We'd never heard of such a thing, but once we knew it was easy to shrug off.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I struggle with the Negril music scene. Whether it is Luciano no showing, or the main act coming on HOURS after the start of the show, it is too unpredictable for me to appreciate. Another example was Yellowman at the Boat Bar in April. We sat and waited and waited and waited and had enough. Walked down to Sunnyside and had a few beers, walked back by and he still had not taken the stage. I was excited for a daytime show and frankly the experience sucked. The promoter gave my kiddo Booger a free ticket and it was a total let down.
What is the deal with coming on after midnight anyway? I'm getting too old for that $hit......
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I was at the Boat bar for the Yellowman show last april. It was great to see him again and we loved his show as always. I wasnt bothered by his late appearance because thats Jamaica lol. Based on all my past experiences nothing is really ever on time in Negril and we learned to accept that many years ago and time doesnt really matter to us when we are there. What i didnt like about the show was that Yellowman was going to do another song or two to the delight of the crowd and the promoter stopped him from doing it. He appologised and then started making his way back to the parking area. We managed to meet him back there and talk to him and get a picture with him. We were glad to see he is doing well and still performing, especially in Negril. In my earlier post i mentioned that there didnt seem to be as many big names performing Negril and in our case that may because of the time of year we go now. We used to always be there at the begning of feb. and there always seemed to be big shows in honor of bob marleys birthday. Shows like ziggy at mx3 and beanie man and steven segal lol at samsara. Maybe because we go in april now we miss the good shows. None the less i think now that the all inclusive resorts seem to be drawing more tourists than they once did more big shows could help draw the bracelet wearing tourists off the resorts
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
booger
What is the deal with coming on after midnight anyway? I'm getting too old for that $hit......
I agree. We're not into staying up late to catch the headliners, either. I actually prefer to watch local performers, as there is a lot of great talent out there that you can watch in non-crowded, chill environment. This past August, we were eating at Erica's when some local Deejays setup a sound system right next to the restaurant. They each took turns freestyle singing to some riddims and they were really good! I'm pretty sure they were rhyming about me a few times, but it was a lot of fun. The deejays were really cool as we hung out with them for a while. I'm generally a live-band kind of guy but dancehall and hip hop has its place and these guys had talent.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I think nostalgia may once again be playing tricks with some memories. The "big shows" featuring Freddy McGregor, The Marley sons, John Holt and Shaggy were held on the cliffs at Negril Escape just 5 years ago
Yeah,5 years ago ...
... & the only performer I mentioned was Gregory & my comparison was to a Las Vegas show act ...
Big up to Rockhouse for putting on these shows.... So, what happened to all the other venues?
Etana, Tarrus, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica and the legendary Luciano and Yellowman are all regulars in Negril.
Been there ...done that - like going to Vegas & seeing -the same old song & dance -
My point is that all the open air concert venues ..are closing up shop
& I'll gladly drop my $$$$ on "quality" live entertainment
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Slightly Stoopid
I think nostalgia may once again be playing tricks with some memories. The "big shows" featuring Freddy McGregor, The Marley sons, John Holt and Shaggy were held on the cliffs at Negril Escape just 5 years ago
Yeah,5 years ago ...
... & the only performer I mentioned was Gregory & my comparison was to a Las Vegas show act ...
Big up to Rockhouse for putting on these shows.... So, what happened to all the other venues?
Etana, Tarrus, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica and the legendary Luciano and Yellowman are all regulars in Negril.
Been there ...done that - like going to Vegas & seeing -the same old song & dance -
My point is that all the open air concert venues ..are closing up shop
& I'll gladly drop my $$$$ on "quality" live entertainment
The problem is that there are not enough interested people with "$$$$" besides yourself to pay "quality" live entertainment. If you charge too much for locals to pay then you will only have a few hundred people at most to shoulder the fee for the entertainers as they don't play for free.
The fact is that most Jamaicans out on the island have never been to what we would call a "quality" live entertainment show mainly because of the high ticket price. A worker making $60 a week at the Royalton can hardly be expected to pay half a weeks wages to see a show.
This is why the alternative shows with lesser known entertainers with one or two popular tunes are teamed together to make a card that the average Jamaican can afford. These are the shows where the featured artists don't go on stage until the wee hours of the morning. This, of course, wouldn't be possible to put on in Negril due to the noise curfew.
Here in Accompong Town they have the January 6th Celebration each year and the original Stone Love puts on a show with an entrance fee of $300 Jamaican dollars and that the thousand or so that pay to get in in venue just cover the cost for the sound system. The profit, if any, comes from the sale of drinks and food.
There is a disconnect between the locals and the tourists (as well as more well-off Jamaicans) where the money they are willing to pay for top flight entertainment is concerned. If you as a tourist want the best entertainment, you and a fair number more of fellow travelers must be willing to support it because the general Jamaican people can't afford it.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Contrary to what people may think, concerts often lose money. To run a consistent money making event is nearly impossible.
Weather is always an issue. Since all the venue's in Negril are open air, a localized rain will limit attendance. Rain somewhere on the performers route to Negril can cause a late or even a no-show performance.
In the Negril Today page, I listed venues going back to the 70's. Many of the venues had their run, which is why we remember their names today. They were then replaced by the next "place to go".
Over the years, each place stopped for their own reasons.
Places are still having shows and the current "place to go" is Bourbon Beach.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I agree Rob, even the smaller cities in canada lik the one i live in dont have many good concerts because not alot of promoters are willing to take a chance. Artists are paid up font and its up to the promoter to make money. I have always been willing to pay good money to see a good show here because its cheaper than traveling to toronto to see one but thats just me and not everyone feels the same i'm sure. If i remember correctly last april on the day of the yellowman show at the boat bar it rained alot earlier in the day and that could be why he started later. I didnt mine the wait at all because i was in negril and thats good enough for me lol. As long as i am there with a cold drink in my hand i dont mind waiting for anything and he put on a good show so it was well worth the wait. Unlike other shows i have been to and waited for the headliner to play only to have them not even show up yellowman showed up and didnt disapoint.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Thank-you ...Rob /Accompong for the insight ...
Sounds like I gotta head .."for the hills " -
@ $60.00 /week it must be very hard to pay for basics
..never mind a night out
... with what most AI's charge it's not fair that more $$ isn't going into those pockets of those who truly make our vacation memorable & enjoyable
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Slightly,
Thank you. The original post was based on a prediction that didn't come to pass.
In reality, I cannot see why a Kingstonian would drive 4 hours to watch performers in Negril when those same performers have gigs regularly in Kingston.
We do have the big Kingston crowd for ATI/Dream Weekend with non stop parties, and to a lesser extent on major holidays so that remains true. But driving 4 hours vs 20 minutes to a show just doesn't seem to be realistic.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
Wouldn't it make sense for the Jamaican Tourism Board to subsidies and organize a series of concerts and\or a concert venue if it's something that difficult for a private enterprise to do? Tax money collected from tourism could be used to subsidize the concerts costs and ticket price. This would not only benefit the tourism industry but also the locals (think free ticket giveaway contests and\or discounted tickets at sponsor locations). Make sure the main act comes on at a decent time and then let the party continue in Jamaican style.
Since most tourists are only in town for a couple of weeks, at most, the series could consist of a revolving set of "resident" artists. I don't think big names are necessary but quality up and coming or emerging artists that want to get their name out there internationally would draw crowds if the production quality was consistently there.
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
I like your thought process ...Kevin, PA -
I think that for certain attractions on the island- there's a tiered cost
local vs. tourist rate
I personal like that idea
correct me if I'm wrong
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Re: Interesting article from Mi Yard- thoughts ....
The JTB already does help support and sponsor concerts and other events. Reggae Sumfest, The Jazz and Blues Fest, the MX3 Bob Marley Bash, the Rastafari Rootz Fest Ganja Cup, Dream Weekend and even the Reggae Marathon are all sponsored by the JTB. There are major events all over the island that bring thousands of visitors to the island sponsored by the JTB. So I think they already have that covered.
To start a "regular" concert series anywhere would have both supporters and detractors, as does the tiered entry cost scheme (local vs tourist).
If the JTB would start a regular weekly show in Negril, how would the residents of MoBay, Ochi, Falmouth, Port Antonio, Treasure Beach, etc feel about the JTB funds being used to only promote Negril? There is not enough money to fund regular concert series all over the island, which is why the JTB does their best to support major events island wide to help distribute the wealth evenly.
There has been numerous discussions here on the pros and cons of a tiered entry cost scheme. When events have a tiered entry fee, many visitors express their feelings that they are getting "ripped off". Some go as far as to get their Jamaican friends to purchase the tickets in advance at the local rate. It had got to the point that the bouncers asked to see Jamaican IDs and refused entry if you had the wrong ticket. There have been many complaints from the visitors like this practice is something unusual although Las Vegas residents get special rates at the local Vegas hotels and Orlando attractions as a whole offer special packages to Florida residents only. I personally like the tiered idea as well, but in practice it doesnt work too well here.
The above kind of reminds me of the recent "route taxi" thread...