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Green lights for Sting 2004!

Top level News International News
  Category: Events

Author: phanthomas
Publishing date: 09.12.2004 00:00


The word is out that the Sting Reggae show is on, but with at least one of last year's sponsors gone, organisers Supreme Promotions are in a cautious mood as they try to stage the embattled event.
At a press conference on the 16 of November, Supreme Promotions, the organisers of the show, will officially announce plans for this year, despite claims last year that they would not stage the event.
In an interview with the Gleaner, Isaiah Laing, CEO of Supreme Promotions, gave the reasons for their change of heart.

UPDATED WITH LINEUP ETC. !


Jamaica Gleaner recently published the following information about yearly Sting festival on their site:
LAUNCHING PAD
For one, the Supreme team believes that the event has become a consistent launching pad for several of the nation's artistes, and they want to continue the trend.

"... One of the main reasons we decided to do it is that the young artistes of today have nothing to look forward to. All the young acts look forward to is making it to the Sting stage", Laing said.
"Sting has become a proving ground, and it is a calendar event that the entertainment fraternity looks forward to, so it is hard to take it out of the dancehall. The show is like a mark post for certain artistes."
The fans of last year's show, however, still harbour painful memories of the hail of bottles pelted at the stage, and the gunshots which rang out signalling the end of the grand event.

For the melee which followed, the team has lost at least one sponsor, but they have kept the support of their chief sponsor, Magnum Tonic Wine.
Magnum's brand manager, Andrea Bowes says her brand will stand behind the event because they are willing to give Sting a chance.
"My take on it is that we just need to give these people a chance to prove themselves" she told The Gleaner. "We are pretty sure that our target audiences identify with Sting and our feeling is that because of an incident you cannot just throw up arms and say it is finished. There are things that can be put in place to ensure things go smoothly. Incidents do happen and we will not be leaving them now."

This enthusiasm was not shared, however, by one of last year's sponsors, GM Challenger. Last year, the company donated a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo as a gate prize. Because of the stampede, the car's windshield, bonnet and trunk were damaged, and missing ticket stubs prevented the promoters from making a fair draw.
Nigel Pagon, the company's local general manager, said last year's bitter Sting ensured that they stayed away.
"... We don't want to be associated with anything that will be giving us negative publicity", he stated.

His concerns come not just from Sting, but from other negative attention his company received because of a publicised legal issue with former television personality Christine Hewitt.

SECURITY
Security obviously will be an issue at today's press conference. To address this, Supreme Promotions has planned to implement an entirely new security system.
"This time around, we do not want any bottles at all on the compound. To help with this, we will be implementing an entirely new security plan, completely different than last year", Laing stated.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Arthur 'Stitch' Martin is tipped to head the police team at the event because he is experienced with dealing with large crowds.
ACP Martin confirmed this and pledged to stamp his mark, promising a 'zero tolerance' approach to law reakers.

Another direction that the show will take in regards to the use of homophobic lyrics on stage is that, for the first time in Sting History, artistes have it stipulated in their contracts that the inciting of violence will not be tolerated.
"Everybody will be going there to do their own work. If you want to prove something, prove it to yourself... No two artistes will go up on the stage together, unless it is a combination, no clashes."
"I have put in their contracts that no one is supposed to deejay any lyrics inciting violence against homosexuals, no anti-gay lyrics for this year. They will have to find a different stage for that. Everybody is free to do their own thing so we will not tolerate that or any fighting on stage", said Laing.

Generally, Laing told The Gleaner that his approach to this year's show was more tempered and, even though his team is optimistic it will work, they know they have a great deal of work to do.
"I wouldn't say I am upbeat, I am more cautious than anything else about it. I just do not want any incident this year at all" said Laing.


Additionally, we have following news, that are not mentioned within the Gleaners´ online article:

ZERO TOLERANCE
"What we intend to do is have a zero tolerance approach this year where crowd is concerned and artistes as well" he explained. "No profane words will be tolerated from any artistes on stage. We are looking out specially for this one and I will be fully prepared to deal with it."
"I will have my evidence team to take action against any one of them who breaches these rules. I will have cameras set up right around the venue to capture any evidence we may need for prosecution."
Such a hard line obviously may see police officers walking on stage to put cuffs on deejays who curse, and ACP Martin did not deny this possibility.

ARRESTS
"We will make arrests and summons where necessary. If we believe it is prudent, we may do so and if it is appropriate at the time, we will arrest."
The issue of glass bottles, which make deadly weapons in the hands of patrons has been a touchy one. ACP Martin outlined that the requirements for the granting of the permit for Sting will be tied to issues such as the bottles, among others.

NO BOTTLES
"We are speaking to the organisers about the bottles inside the entire venue because that will be a no no. The question of the permit to hold event will have conditions attached."
"Supreme will have to address certain things, like the cut-off time for the show, and if extensions will be given. The noise level is also crucial. This will have to be finalised as well."
According to ACP Martin, despite the challenges Sting may bring this year, it will not be a major problem to him.
"This is not my biggest challenge to date, I wouldn't say that", the ACP said - "I think we have the blueprint to deal with this one."


Update as from December 3rd 2004 posted on Jamaica Observer:
Sting 2004 Presentation
Sting 2004 Presentation
Noticeably absent from the line-up are other dancehall giants Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man. Instead, the promoters have placed their faith in upcoming acts I-Wayne, Turbulence, Bascom X, Kris Kelly, Mr Perfect, Ghandi and Fantan Mojah dubbed by them (promoters) as the Magnificent Seven.

Other high-profile dancehall names not appearing on the Sting line up this year include Sizzla Kalonji, Spragga Benz, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond and Wayne Marshall.

The effervescent Richie Spice and his Fifth Element family member, Chuck Fenda, Bushman, Anthony B, Assassin, perennial Sting fixture, Ninja Man and Queen Paula will also be performing on the December 26 show at the Jamworld Complex in Portmore St Catherine.

The promoters have also included a segment dubbed, 'Burn The Fire', which will see Lutan Fire, the upcoming chanter, match strides against the popular Jah Mason, Chezidek and Queen Ifrika.

Other young artistes set to appear at Sting this year are Black Lion and Genie Slick. Fae Ellington, veteran broadcaster and chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Board, in her address at the news conference, warned artistes and members of the media to remember their roles when they attend the show.

"Entertainers, when you speak you speak as a Jamaican," she said. "You must recognise that things are changing." Ellington also asked media practitioners to be aware of their role when reporting on events.

"Media, sometimes you do not know what your role is," Ellington said firmly. "I am asking the players in the media to recognise their roles. Don't write articles or make utterances to make a bad situation worse."

The Sting launch drew out many artistes, managers and players in the entertainment industry, and Supreme Promotions advisor, Howard McIntosh, warned prospective patrons that security would be tight at the staging of this year's event. There would be no bottle-throwing incident at Sting this year McIntosh said, repeating an announcement which proved untrue in previous years.

"There will be no bottles at Sting this year. Security will be much tighter and patrons will be searched at both gates," McIntosh said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Arthur "Stitch" Martin has been handed the responsibility of commanding the detachment of police who will be on hand to maintain law and order. He will be assisted by Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, Synergy Security and Border Patrol Security in securing the venue.

The promoters have also given the assurance that extra lighting will be installed and constant police patrols will take place in the parking area.
The Dyke Road, which leads to the venue, will also be patrolled by police officers on the night of the show.

According to a release issued by Supreme Promotions, plainclothes and uniformed police officers will be deployed inside the venue.

The release also stated that metal detectors would be placed at strategic entrance points with a view to confiscate illegal weapons and other offensive material such as aerosol canisters which are used by some members of the audience to light huge flares in salute of an artiste's performance.



Thanks to Marvin from DasVibes Reggae Productions for submitting the basic as well as the additional information.

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