Rebel Salute 2013 Launch

By Steve James on Friday, January 18, 2013 - Photos by Steve James - Comment

The launch for the 20th staging of Rebel Salute was held on December 27th at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

As is the norm for the launch party, various artistes, musicians and media personnel turned out for the event. With performances that night from the group No-Maddz, Ras Shiloh, Tony Tuff and Tony Rebel himself, the launch took the form of a mini concert giving the audience a hint of what to expect at the event in January.

The announcements by Organic H.E.A.R.T. Group of Companies, the promoters of the event (headed by DJ Tony Rebel) are expected to please both the new and the loyal patrons who make the show an annual event. Two significant changes were announced. For the first time in its twenty year history the event will be held on the north coast instead of Jamaica’s south coast which has been its home ever since its inception. Additionally, it will be expanded to a two night event.

Rebel Salute 2013 poster

The details of these announcements are that Rebel Salute 2013, ‘The preservation of Reggae’, will be held at the Richmond Estate, Priory, St. Ann on January 18^th& 19^th2013. The advantages, as Tony Rebel highlighted are that patrons will benefit from an abundance of hotel rooms and villa accommodation located in Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios areas. Accessibility to the venue will also be an improvement, as over the years, challenges included finding the location, navigating the terrain, and securing adequate parking (particularly at the earlier venues) existed. These will be solved with the new venue. Camping facilities on the grounds of the venue is a new feature as well.

In keeping with the principles of the event over the years; no weapons, alcohol, meat or drugs will be allowed. The line-up is indicative of the efforts made by Organic H.E.A.R.T. Group of Companies to attract some of reggae finest performers. Among some of the big names scheduled for the two day event are Luciano, Busy Signal, Sizzla, Richie Spice, Pablo Moses, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Errol Dunkley, The Hippie Boys, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington and Marcia Griffiths to name a few. The return of Shinehead and Aswad to the local scene are performances being anticipated by many.

In addition to being available online, the tickets outlets are Organic H.E.A.R.T. Group of Companies, and Fontana Pharmacy (Mandeville, Sav-La-Mar and Montego Bay). With the reputation of past shows and the stellar line up of artistes, Rebel Salute 20^th should be, its most successful staging yet.