As always, Dominica lives up to expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the human warmth of its inhabitants, a benevolence felt in every smile and every welcome.
Between succulent local dishes that tell of the richness of the local culture and moments of sharing around authentic flavors, the experience is quite simply unforgettable.
And of course, the WCMF 2024once again lived up to all its promises: stunning artists, a unique atmosphere, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Dominica and its World Creole Music Festival, WCMF 2024, are much more than a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s an experience you can feel, and one you’ll want to relive again and again. It’s an experience that feeds the heart, soul and ears, through the warmth of the people, the richness of Creole culture, and the magic of music that resonates deep within each and every one of us.
D1: Thursday, October 24, 2024
From the moment we arrived in bright sunshine on Thursday, we were warmly welcomed with colorful cocktails and local drinks, perfect for immediately immersing us in the Caribbean atmosphere. Among the discoveries was an absolutely delicious chocolate punch that had everyone in agreement. After this gourmet welcome, we headed back to our guest house in Goodwill, ideally located just a few minutes’ walk from the stadium, the heart of the WCMF 2024 festivities. Being in the city center is very convenient for keeping your independence, especially if you’re in a group.
All the week before the WCMF 2024Ti Villaj Kréyol was in full swing. This space dedicated to local artisans was a veritable showcase for local art, production and culture: craft stands, live demonstrations and local flavors introduced us to Dominica’s savoir-faire. The village came to a climactic close with an electrifying performance by the legendary band Triple Kay, literally setting the stage alight and giving us a foretaste of what’s in store for WCMF 2024.
An evening marked by energy, joy and a promise of unforgettable festivities to come during WCMF 2024.
D2: Friday, October 25, 2024
- The artists:
- Extasy Band and TK International (Dominica)
- T-Vice (Haiti), kompa legends
- Nadia Batson (Trinidad and Tobago), soca star
- Valiant (Jamaica)
- Rotimi (Nigeria), with their dancehall and afrobeat sounds
The first evening kicked off with the infectious energy of Extasy Band, setting the stage alight with local rhythms that immediately captivated the audience. TK International closed the evening with an equally energetic set, proving why they’re a fixture on the Dominican music scene. In between these two memorable bouyon performances, the Haitian group T-Vice thrilled the crowd with their mesmerizing kompa sounds, generating enthusiasm and smiles.
Then Rotimi added a cosmopolitan touch with his Afrobeat and R&B influences, filling the atmosphere with a sophisticated, catchy vibe.
Soca singer Nadia Batson mesmerized the stage with her powerful voice and exhilarating rhythms, captivating every audience member. To cap off the evening, Jamaican dancehall talent Valiant energized the crowd with his unique fusion of reggae and trap, a combination that kept them dancing well into the night. An evening rich in musical diversity and emotion, marking the start of theWCMF 2024 festivities in style.
Our opinion :
Honestly, they all gave a superb performance. I have to admit that I didn’t know Valiant before this evening, and I had the impression that I was the only one, given the audience’s enthusiasm. So it was a great discovery for me. Nadia Batson, as always, lit up the stage with her unrivalled energy and presence, while Rotimi managed her performance brilliantly despite a few difficulties. As for TK International and Extasy Band, they mastered their sets perfectly, bringing their unique touch of bouyon that opened and closed the evening perfectly. A group of artists who, each in their own way, made this first evening a real success as part of the WCMF 2024...
D3: Saturday, October 26, 2024
- The artists:
- Asa Bantan (Dominica), local bouyon star
- Mr. Ridge and Pudaz (Dominica), award-winning artists in the bouyon genre
- Kassav’ (Martinique/Guadeloupe), pioneers of zouk
- Damien and Stephen Marley (Jamaica), Bob Marley’s reggae heirs
- WizKid (Nigeria), Afrobeat icon
- Umpa and Subance (Saint Lucia), adding local Saint Lucian rhythms
Saturday was a memorable evening celebrating the diversity of Caribbean and international talent. It all started with the pure energy of Umpa and Subance, who literally electrified the crowd with their made-in-St. Lucia rhythms. Then, the legendary group Kassav’ set the stage alight, offering an unforgettable zouk moment, reminding everyone why they are and will remain icons of Caribbean music. Their ability to reinvent themselves proved that they still have a bright future ahead of them.
The Marley brothers, Damian and Stephen, took over, with a reggae that perfectly blends heritage and modernity. Damian’s son, with his inexhaustible energy, could have carried us through the night with his gripping performance. Then Mr Ridge, accompanied by Pudaz, brought a dose of dynamism and energy with the famous “nasty business”.
Nigerian star Wizkid took to the stage, captivating the audience with his Afrobeats influences in a dazzling performance. Finally, Asa Banton, the king of bouyon, brought the evening to a climactic close, transforming the stadium into a gigantic party, where the rhythms kept the audience dancing into the early hours of the morning as part of WCMF 2024.
Our opinion :
Kassav’ always surprises me. It’s a band I’ve seen many times before, but despite the changes in members, they remain at the top, continuing to raise the bar with every performance. The Marley brothers, Damian and Stephen, were simply incredible, delivering powerful reggae that touched every soul in attendance. Mr Ridge and Pudaz literally set the stage on fire, and Asa Banton, true to form, put his own personal stamp on things with his unmistakable stage effects: water and paper. Admittedly, not very ecological, but incredibly fun and festive as part of WCMF 2024.
D4: Sunday, October 27, 2024
- The artists:
- Kai (Haiti), to the rhythm of kompa
- Signal Band and Midnight Groovers (Dominica), local favorites for cadence-lypso
- Skinny Fabulous (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), a major figure in soca
- Voice (Trinidad and Tobago) and Tian Winter (Antigua)
- Gramps Morgan and Friends, Luciano, and Duane Stephenson (Jamaica), for a touch of reggae
- Fanny J (Guyana), closing the festival with zouk ballads
Sunday was a musical apotheosis, with an eclectic line-up that kept the audience on their toes from start to finish. The evening began with Kai, bringing a touch of modern kompa that had everyone on the move from the very first notes. The legendary Midnight Groovers then took over, with their Creole cadence that awakened memories and anchored the audience in their Caribbean roots.
Fanny J delivered a sensual and emotional performance, reminding us why she is one of zouk’s most iconic voices. Then Gramphs Morgan and his guests – Luciano, his sons Priel and Jemere, Louis York, and Duane Stephenson – delivered an intense moment of reggae, mixing classics and novelties, in an atmosphere of communion and sharing.
Signal Band set the audience alight with their bouyon vibes, keeping the energy high. Voice and Tian Winter followed, bringing a dose of festive, irresistible soca. Finally, Skinny Fabulous brought the evening to a climactic close, delivering a supercharged performance that had the entire stadium dancing right up to the last minute. It was a fitting end to a festival that glorified the Caribbean spirit with all its authenticity and explosive energy, as part of the WCMF 2024.
Our opinion :
Sunday evening was marked by some particularly memorable performances. I was deeply impressed by Duane Stephenson, whose voice combined sweetness and power to create a truly touching moment. Fanny J, with her authenticity, also captured my heart. The Midnight Groovers, true icons of Caribbean music, lived up to their reputation – each track reminding me why I never tire of listening to them.
Signal Band, meanwhile, set the stage alight, bringing an incredible energy that had everyone on their feet. Even though the audience began to disperse after their performance, all the performances were incredible, with each artist bringing their own unique touch to make this WCMF 2024 evening unique.
D5: Monday, October 28, 2024
On Monday, it was already time for the big departure. We started with breakfast by the sea, taking in the magnificent view and the craft market to prolong the pleasure a little. Then, the big departure proved a little complicated, with all the crowds leaving the island at the same time. Frankly, the ideal solution would be to stay a few days longer to avoid the long line-up at Roseau harbour and take the ferry at leisure.
The only downside, however, is that you need to be resilient. The festivities start early in the evening and finish early in the morning. It’s an incredible experience, but you need stamina to enjoy every moment of the WCMF 2024.
In conclusion, I loved Dominica, I loved the WCMF 2024 festival, and I'm already looking forward to seeing you next year, to celebrate the 25th anniversary.
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