The closing moments of Sundown Fest were full of of pure energy, electrifying rock ‘n’ roll passion and a mob of bodies hopping in unison. Headlining act Sundown Superhero ended the night with their single “Don’t Turn Out The Lights“. They were the last of four acts that marked the return of Sundown Fest; an open door fundraising concert featuring a number of the marquee rock ‘n’ roll acts on the island.
Sundown Fest began in 2019. The festival is an outlet for the variety of music genres on the island, as well as its fans. All plans for a 2020 and 2021 festival were shelved due to the pandemic. This year’s event marked the return of the festival and its mission to create a platform for the rock/alt artists on the local scene.
Emile Sagba, one of the event’s organisers and a member of the local pop-punk band Sundown Superhero, spoke to the necessity of showcasing this diversity in sound:
“I think that the local music scene is much more diverse than people think that it is. There’s an entire scene that exists in the underground and we belong to that scene. There was never really a platform to share this music…with the public. We started this band and we did it out of pure passion. but what we wanted to do was really show locals what it…meant to be Bajan. you don’t have to play soca, dancehall, or reggae to be Bajan.
We truly are able to show to, not only Barbadians, but to the world, what it means to be grateful to be [a] part of this culture and [to] grow this grassroots movement. It’s straight from the heart and we’re so excited to be a part of it.”
The concert was held at Bellevue Plantation. As far as venues go, it had all the key conditions that any music festival needs: lots of open air, a serene environment and plenty of space. A number of local businesses and entrepreneurs, including sponsors, set up under tents. Exhibitors showcased their crafts and goods and there was also a bar for food and drinks.
Doors opened at 5:00 pm, though the show didn’t start until closer to 7pm. By that time, the venue was reaching full capacity and the crowd was buzzing. During the wait, teases of the bands warming up and an impressive selection of rock songs ranging from the 70s classics like Pink Floyd, to the alt-rock icons of the early 00s and the indie hits of the mid 2010’s, strategically set the atmosphere.
Admission was free. However, upon entry, you had the option of making a donation which made you eligible to win prizes via a raffle. These donations, Emile said, were all for the growth and development of Sundown Fest:
“[W]e understand [that] in order to grow a DIY grassroots movement…people have to come together to make it happen. We were able to collaborate with local businesses to provide services and giveaways [for] raffles and, using the funds from those raffles…pay for this event; putting 100% of the money into Sundown Fest. This is not for us to pads our pockets whatsoever. It’s for us to grow a community.”
The show began with a set by solo act Jacob Layson. With his brand of acoustic, soft-rock originals like “Vis ta Vie”, “Castaway” and “Chase the Devil”, his style is one he self-describes as “The Beatles meets Jack Johnson”. Vengeance Falls followed with with their signature metal edge. They performed the very well-received “Metallypso” – their rendition of a “metal calypso” song – and ended with a blood rushing cover of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey”. Fighting Traffic later took the stage and thrilled the audience with their single “You’re No Good”; a reinterpretation of the Jackie Opel song.
Layson’s performance started a trend of audience requests for encores. Requests that each performer graciously delivered on.
With each performance the atmosphere in the audience was spirited and fully of energy. The line up of quality performances that left the audience buzzing didn’t just include the featured bands, however. As the audience waited for Sundown Superhero to take the stage, they were treated to a performance by two fire breathers. Both danced in routine and spit plumes of fire into the air. There was a unique variety of talents to see at Sundown Fest.
As Sundown Superhero took the stage, they thanked all of the bands that joined in for the concert. When they began performing, a jumbo sized beach ball appeared on the stage. It was sizeable, soft, bouncy and sensitive enough to rise about 12 feet high with a swift kick. It was the right blend of organized chaos and jubilation and added to the natural high of an already amazing concert.
Sundown Superhero played a full set of original songs, as well as a cover of the Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” in tribute to the band’s deceased drummer Taylor Hawkins. Their last song, “Don’t Turn Out The Lights”, was a majestic send off. Saying goodbye seemed to hurt the band as much as it did the audience.
It was a great end to a night of rock ‘n’ roll. Something that is so rarely experienced in this capacity on our island. Speaking with Emile after the show, he was touched and grateful for the reception they received:
“This was more than what we expected. We didn’t really have a marketing budget; it was tell a friend, to tell a friend, to tell a friend. So when I see so many faces I recognise, but also faces I don’t recognise, that makes it worth it to see people show up to come and see you. It means were doing something right.”
Emile also expressed his gratitude for the positive response from the bands that signed up to play the show. “I think that was enough fuel to understand that we were on to something. It was the fact that there were other bands just like us, or slightly adjacent, that thought this was a great platform to showcase and [that] it was a matter of showing up, plugging up and making it happen.”
As for the future of Sundown Fest, the plan is to return for 2023. “Seeing how many people came up and supported this, it really shows that it’s not about us. It’s not even about the other bands. It’s about the people that come together for rock ‘n’ roll.”
