World Creole Music Festival set to return to shores of Dominica in October

The World Creole Music Festival 2023 is all set to return to the shores of Dominica, scheduled to take place on October 27, 28, 29, 2023.

World Creole Music Festival set to return to shores of Dominica in October
World Creole Music Festival set to return to shores of Dominica in October

Roseau, Dominica: The World Creole Music Festival 2023 is all set to return to the shores of Dominica, scheduled to take place on October 27, 28, 29, 2023. Patrons of the three-day festival are advised to begin early preparations as this year’s festival promises to be bigger than ever.

Originally launched to promote the Dominican tourism products and create a world-class platform for indigenous music of the country, the World Creole Music Festival has become a renowned staple on the original musical calendar. The three nights of entertainment beginning the final Friday in October each year, patrons are treated to a variety of star power coming from the Caribbean, the French Antilles, Africa and North America arranged to attract all generations.

Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority Colin Piper says one of the goals of DDA and the Dominica festivals committee is to learn from the mistakes of the 2022 Edition.

He said,” In terms of WCMF 2023 we’re going to make sure we look at all the lessons learned from 2022 and make sure that those are in place and just make sure that we leave no stone unturned. It’s the point now where WCMF is a brand of its own and people come to Dominica because it’s World Creole Music Festival and sometimes, they don’t even know who’s playing for some people that’s important because they want to see certain Artistes so we have to be mindful of that.”

He said that while the festival was first developed to showcase Dominica’s culture, but steps have been taken over the years to also attract a younger audience. CEO asserted that the festival was put in place to make sure that culture of Dominica and the Creole remained alive and could be exported and so they cannot lose fact of that they must continue to have the Creole aspect in the World Creole Music Festival. But they understand that the most popular demographic which is their music- Soca, Dancehall and Afrobeat which wasn’t originally part of the festival so they have to educate them and make them appreciate that and they have to provide them with enough artistes so that it they’ll have a good time at the show.

Piper encouraged patrons to book their flights early as DDA has put in place new measures to create an overall experience for the WCMF.

He said, “We send outposts in save the date and people respond where’s the artistes where’s the lineup. Are you really waiting for the lineup for World Creole Music Festival to buy your ticket because if you are, then you’re missing out on a lot of things. I mean do you not believe in the World Creole Music Festival and what it has delivered- the VIP, the four court experience, the craft vending zone, the food court all these sorts of things that cannot commit at this point in time. Every time we put out a post we get always the lineup where’s the lineup. I believe that we’ve done a good enough job with the brand.”

The CEO explained that one of the new initiatives that might be implemented this year is the revealing of the lineup in segments. He said that what they want is for people especially Dominicans on the outside to amplify any positive message about real World Creole Music Festival so they can get more people interested to come. They themselves are trying to get away from the fact that it’s like the WCMF doesn’t exist until the lineup is launched.

“20 years we’ve created that monster and now we have to figure out because things are different, sometimes artists don’t get back to you at the time that you want to launch the entire lineup so I think this year you’ll probably see one or two or three announced and then as we get them announce we continue to fill up the roster. But it’s difficult sometimes to get everybody to agree because sometimes artists are way into office and they string you along until they figure out who’s the better offer or which one they want to go to,”said the CEO.

Piper told patrons that they should expect a few surprises in the lineup this year as they will bring the artistes who have never performed in Dominica as well as some who haven’t performed on island for a long period of time. He encouraged people to book their flights, book their hotels and get everything in order because they are not going to disappoint in terms of artistes and are also trying to bring back some who may not have performed for quite a while that were crowd favourite.

The 2022 edition of the World Creole Music Festival featured artistes such as Burna Boy, triple K and the Midnights Groovers.