Do Concerts and Fetes Attract Violent Crowds?

Concerts and fetes are among the most popular activities to take part in across the Caribbean. Dancehall and Soca artists, as well as D.J.s from all over, are often flown in by promoters to perform in different countries. Many of these events occur without incident, however, there have been several instances in which crimes such as assault or even gun violence occur on the premises or in the general vicinity. We spoke with a few Belizean promoters to find out whether the music and artists play a part in these instances and what security measures are taken to ensure that they do not become commonplace. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon.

 

Ian Gaynair, Promoter

“The music sometimes influence the type of people you bring out, so I went for some DJ, but I let them know strictly that no lot of bad man tunes. So we came up with a thing called eighty percent gyal tunes, twenty percent for the man and I had an event Saturday and I think it went pretty well because we brought out a lot of females due to they hear that, it’s eighty percent gyal tune and it was a good success.”

 

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Deciding which artist to book for the next major event is one of the hardest parts of being a promoter. Whether the promoter is new to the scene or has been in the game for many years, it is their responsibility to cultivate an environment that is enjoyable for concertgoers, while maintaining a safe and manageable environment. John Marsden, a long-time Belizean promoter, says that each event draws its own crowd.

 

John Marsden, Promoter

“I believe that each event carries my, I don’t have a better word, my clientele, right? Different events attract different people different events attract different people. In the want of people, if I go to a church event, I expect church music. If I go to a dance hall event, I expect dance hall music. If I go to a club event, I expect everything that comes with a club event. A trend, I don’t think we have a trend, so to speak. I believe that each promotion and each promoter has their following and they attract their following.”

 

Recently, at a Trinibad event here in Belize City, there were a few fights that occurred just outside the premises and Doris Grant, recently charged with being a member of a gang was shot while on her way home. Marsden believes that artists play less into these incidents than what many believe and that the large crowds and alcohol are more likely contributors.

 

 

 

John Marsden

“That’s an optics that most people would say. However, as a thinkable human being, I expect or I go along with seeing that I am supposed to carry myself the way I want to carry myself. However, sometimes the music does initiate a feeling into you that maybe you get a bit more excited, a bit more  conscious of people that might not like you, people that you might find you have a disagreement with. Because maybe someone doesn’t like this person. Someone find alcohol to be a reason to contribute to it. But I don’t think that it’s contributed by music, so it has to do with the personalities and your agreeance with people and disagreeance with people.”

 

Ian Gaynair, who was the promoter of the most recent Trinibad event, says that he has taken several measures to ensure that the audience is safe while attending his events and only plans to up security measures in the future.

 

Ian Gaynair

“What I did was up my security force had more police there and give them like strict orders, make sure that everybody get searched properly. No lot of smoking. You can’t bring in any bottle or anything outside and any lee problem make sure we find the best way to solve it quickly. Anybody give any problem, put them out.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.