- Reasons music and arts festival to be held at Coronation Park on 11 July
- Organisers believe the event could inject £500,000 into the Islands economy
- They say Jersey needed to look towards Croatia to learn how they have benefited from the festival scene
- Find out more about the festival below
- Will you be attending Reasons? Take part in our poll
JERSEY’S newest music festival could inject £500,000 into the Island’s economy, its co-organiser says.
The inaugural Reasons music and arts festival is due to debut at Coronation Park next month and more than 2,000 tickets for the 3,000-capacity event have already been sold.
DJ and co-organiser Ben Newman say that festivals such as Reasons can benefit the economy and offer another arm to the Island’s tourism industry.
Earlier this year Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham said that Jersey could experience its best ever 12 months for events-led tourism thanks to events like the NatWest Island Games and the new literary festival, Connections.
And Keith Beecham, the head of Visit Jersey, said that his team were keen to sit down with upcoming event organisers and discuss what they have to offer. But he added that for the Island to be successful in attracting visitors from overseas to attend specific events, it was important to ‘sell the whole package that Jersey has to offer’.
Mr Newman, who is working full-time on the Reasons festival alongside fellow DJ John O’Connell, said that £80,000 had already been spent on local services.
In terms of tourism, the businessman added, Jersey needed to look towards Croatia to learn how they have benefited from the festival scene.
‘A study published this week shows that nightlife contributed £6 billion to the UK economy last year,’ he said.
‘Without going in to specifics, Reasons could generate between £300,000 and £500,000 for the Jersey economy this year alone.
‘A few years ago there were one or two very small, niche festivals in Croatia, set up by UK promoters.
‘At the time it was seen as a bold move, but now there are dozens of festivals of various sizes and the move is seen as a masterstroke.
‘Croatia offers so much that you can’t get in the UK, such as beautiful scenery, warm weather, different cuisine and a more relaxed pace which is reminiscent of Jersey in many ways.’
Visitors are expected to travel to Jersey for Reasons and 150 staff will be employed for the one-day event on 11 July.
Mr Beecham said that although the figures show that just one per cent of people from the UK travel to Jersey specifically for an event, he felt it was an area that could grow.
‘There are 900 festivals in the UK, so we need to stress what is new and what is different here in Jersey,’ he said.
‘I think we need to tie in things like festivals with the other attractions we have.’
‘We are certainly willing and able to sit down and talk about the challenges with the event-organisers.
‘We have two people who are very keen to listen to the thoughts and concerns that event-organisers have.’
- The inaugural Reasons Electronic Music and Arts Festival is set to take place on July 11, in Coronation Park, Millbrook.
- Across 4 distinct areas, organisers aim ‘to showcase the best in contemporary electronica, as well as join the dots with the music that influences what we listen to today’.
- The festival will feature not just music but a wide array of visual content, from films to installations.
- The acts will be spread across 4 stages – The Electronic Stage, The Roots Stage, The Blkout Stage and Hospitality.
- In addition to music, there will be a variety of other entertainment, including spoken word and poetry performances, art installations, live street art demonstrations and short films.
- The festival finishes at 11 am, but there will be after parties at both Rojo and Havana. Both will feature sets from some of our festival acts and a few special surprises too.
- As there is extremely limited parking around Coronation Park, organisers will be running free shuttle buses from Liberation Station and Les Quennevais to the festival, and back to St Helier after the event.
- Festival organisers will be offering free bottled drinking water all day so everyone can stay hydrated.
- Tickets can be purchased here
Rocksteady’s Ben Newman gives his views on some of the acts on the lineup for the forthcoming Reasons Festival:
The Mouse Outfit
What can Islanders expect? Authentic British hop-hop influenced by a myriad of styles such as funk, reggae, jazz and world music.
What are you most looking forward to about that artist? Their on-stage chemistry is awesome. They’re a big band but they are super tight and look like they’re having an amazing time when they perform.
What will the they add to the festival? A live element – we have got mostly DJs booked and The Mouse Outfit are a full live act.
Any particular tracks or hits that Islanders should listen out for? ‘Sit Back’, ‘Shak Out’ and ‘Got Me Thinkin’ are a good start.
Josh Wink
What can Islanders expect? Groovy house and techno.
What are you most looking forward to about that artist? He’s one of the forefathers of the scene and has bags of experience and always rises to the occasion.
What will the they add to the festival? Serious underground kudos.
Any particular tracks or hits that Islanders should listen out for? He is unlikely to play many of his own tracks. However, I have to mention his massive tracks such as ‘Higher State of Consciousness’, ‘Don’t Laugh’ and ‘I’m Ready’.
Wilkinson & MC Ad-Apt
What can Islanders expect? Chart-topping drum and bass.
What are you most looking forward to about that artist? He’s been over before and has a massive fan base. He is a star that continues to rise and I’m sure that when he plays his headline slot on the BLKOUT stage it will be pretty special.
What will they add to the festival? Drum-and-bass energy combined with pop sensibilities.
Any particular tracks or hits that Islanders should listen out for? ‘Afterglow’ is an obvious choice. ‘Hopelessly Coping’ is a new one of his that is out in May. I am 100 per cent sure that it will be another massive hit for him.
Daddy G (Massive Attack)
What can Islanders expect? Reggae and dub, sprinkled with some very well-known tracks.
What are you most looking forward to about that artist? As a founding member of Massive Attack, he was part of one of the single
most important British acts of all time in
my opinion, and loved by people of all ages and tastes. Just having him on site will be
an honour.
What will the they add to the festival? We’re big fans of reggae and dub here at Reasons and he’s agreed to play a special set to accommodate these styles. We can’t wait.
Any particular tracks or hits that Islanders should listen out for? I can’t not mention Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrops’ or ‘Unfinished Sympathy’. Daddy G has produced a handful of tracks as a solo artist and collaborating with other vocalists. His cover ‘Non Non Non’ is a personal favourite.
