The opening night of Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival 2026 featured country, calypso, dancehall, and bouyon, setting the tone for what promises to be the “biggest” yet.
The evening began smoothly as LM Stone, with Shervon Sealy and Amber Digby, treated patrons to country music that warmed up the crowd and eased them into the night’s festivities.
Momentum continued with a tribute to Kaiso legends, celebrating calypso’s rich legacy. The segment featured veterans like Robby, Herb Black, Lady Leen, Educator, Invader, Translator, and Ashanti, while spotlighting emerging talents such as Dezral, St Lucia’s current calypso and soca monarch, Sly and Jurgen.
Formal proceedings followed with remarks from Minister of Tourism and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who officially declared the festival open, marking the start of the 2026 staging.
Addressing the audience, Hilaire highlighted the festival’s unprecedented growth, noting this year marks its most expansive staging yet and that turnout has already surpassed previous records.
“This year is our biggest year in terms of the number of activities that we will have. The Arts Festival has grown beyond belief,” he said, pointing to new additions such as three theatrical productions, an expanded Icon Series featuring culinary arts, and a wider reach across the island.
He also noted the festival’s evolution beyond music to include dancers, actors, and other creatives, adding, “our dancers in Saint Lucia will get an opportunity to perform with international artists… showing how the festival is expanding beyond music.”
Jamaican singer D’Yani shifted the mood with a soulful performance of love songs like “Letter” and “Please”, engaging the audience by handing out roses to women in the crowd.
Energy surged as dancehall artiste Valiant took the stage, delivering a high-energy set while interacting closely with fans and singing hits like “Baddiedeh” and “Dunce Cheque.” He stepped offstage to connect with the audience and invited women onstage for a lively dance competition, further igniting the atmosphere.
Capleton followed with a commanding performance that drew one of the biggest crowd reactions of the night. Known for his dynamic stage presence, he had the crowd jumping and waving to his famous songs like “That Day Will Come” and many more, including moments of a cappella and a guest appearance by fellow Jamaican performer Ffuriousmusic.
The night concluded on a high note with Dominican bouyon star Asa Bantan, known as the “Bouyon Boss”. Delivering hits like “Stickly Local” and “If I Die Young,” Bantan lived up to his reputation for energising crowds. In a signature moment, he distributed water bottles to the crowd, who splashed water into the air during his performance of “Wet Fete.”
Throughout the night, DJs maintained momentum between sets, keeping the crowd engaged from start to finish.
The opening night successfully showcased a diverse blend of musical genres and regional talent, setting a strong precedent for the remainder of the festival.
