by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—The St. Kitts Music Festival, a major cultural and economic driver, has created substantial opportunities for local entrepreneurs and professionals.
Dr Terrance Martin, Associate Professor and Director at Winston-Salem State University, and Dwayne “Deejay Flames” Ferguson emphasised how the festival serves as a vital platform for micro-businesses and individuals within the creative economy, boosting local commerce and providing avenues for financial growth.
Supporting Local Vendors and Micro-Businesses
The festival’s emphasis on local participation has led to a significant economic uplift for various sectors.
Dr. Martin highlighted that “In a bottom-up economy, thousands of small-scale vendors, food stalls, craftspeople, merch sellers, made their living over these three days. You just heard it from Dwayne right now. Taxi drivers and event staff as well, all activated.”
Vendors reportedly had their “best three nights ever,” with a wide variety of booths, including local crafts.
“People complained last year. I don’t, I haven’t heard any complaints this year. So that means that, you know, the vendors were back in force. There were so many different booths. There were, in some of the VIPs, there were even like local crafts stuff, so that you could buy. But while most of their vendors said they had their best three nights ever, there were some complaints as well, but we’re not going to focus on the negatives today. Right. But here’s the thing. When the government and tourism authority promoted this whole concept of buying local, it must also make the sure that the pathway to profits is clear because I also heard people complaining still about the obviously the high cost of operations.”
Beyond the main festival grounds, Dr Martin noted that “vendors outside of the festival grounds made money”, and even individuals selling from coolers within the crowd contributed to the vibrant economic activity.
“But the feedback that I’m getting, I’m seeing, indicates that, you know, people enjoy themselves. We had tour companies, restaurants or were busy. Definitely, the promoters made money this weekend. The vendors outside of the festival grounds made money. So as you’re walking in, you’re buying after the fact, the buses were full. If you, if the vibe felt radiant and local, that’s a sign that our branding hit home. So, you know, Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism, you just continue doing, like we said, build on it. Don’t break it down. Don’t go backwards.”
Challenges and Opportunities for Vendors
While the festival presented immense opportunities, some challenges were also noted for vendors.
Deejay Flames, however, provided a different perspective, noting that “if you’re getting A-class service, you’re getting professionalism out of any entity or out of any vendor, it’s going to come with a cost.”
Dr. Martin urged small business owners to “take this energy, expand and hear this, partner with other vendors, partner with other people, formalise your operations, get trained, seek funding, become a business and not a monetised hobby that you do drink sugar mass and music fest.”
Cultivating the Creative Economy
The festival serves as a critical stage for both established and emerging local artists; however, as Dr Martin emphasised, “it’s what happens after the lights go out.”
He advocated for converting the exposure local acts receive into tangible infrastructure, calling for “funding mechanisms for local acts to provide for studio time, mentorship, marketing, not just artists, but DJs like yourself as well.”
Ultimately, such a move would address the broader economic benefits of music festivals, which include job creation in areas such as event planning, production, security, hospitality, catering, and merchandising.
Deejay Flames underscored the importance of professionalism and continuous preparation for local entertainers, stating, “You have to be ready. You have to be professional.”
He highlighted the trend of local artists digitising their music on platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music, and the importance of proper registration to receive royalties when their music is played internationally.
The focus on the creative economy, encompassing artists, managers, and DJs, is seen as crucial for leveraging the festival’s momentum into long-term financial stability and growth.
The festival boosts tourism and local businesses, while also empowering a vibrant creative sector, making a significant contribution to the island’s overall economic landscape.
