Dear Editor,

Carnival season in Jamaica was an active and thriving one. I am proud of our little island and how far it has come as far as Carnival is concerned. The season was not only good for our economic recovery but seeing all the Caribbean islands come together as one and joy being restored to the faces of the nation’s people was easily one of the best moments.

The carnival season would have started here in mid-November, easing into January. But things typically get going in February as we started seeing more and more soca-themed parties and events. The Xodus band kicked off the season in November with their highly anticipated band launch that was densely populated by soca lovers and spectators all around. Their Sweet Treats costume line definitely had tongues wagging with its unique and eye-catching designs. It secured some of the most talented designers from all over the region, with even a few local newbies in the mix. Soca junkies appreciated Xodus’s early display of costumes as they could better prepare and budget for the upcoming season.

The band launches for GenXs and Yard Mas followed a month or two later as these fairly new bands incited some competition on the scene. The options were many, but in the end the Sweet Treats line stole the show as Xodus was the first band to have its costumes sold out, three days before Road March day. This was a clear indication Xodus had this season in the bag.

Then boom! Just like that we welcomed the new year and the soca season came into full swing, curing all Carnival “tabanca” in sight and inciting pure revelry all across Jamaica. There were many top-ranking fetes, namely, I Love Soca, Rum for Breakfast, Bacchanal Jouvert, Duck Work, Wi Fete, and a few others.

But Xodus took the cake for me with how strategically they positioned themselves to introduce and close the curtains on the season. Their first event, Xodus Remedy, was an appetite opener for soca lovers, and included an exciting mini Road March component that revellers enjoyed. They successfully kept the fire going by following up with a series of fetes, lymes, and pop-ups in and around Kingston, and let’s just say, in the words of Bunji Garlin, it wasn’t “no small fete” but a “big fete with big flags” waving all about.

Xodus then led the way into Carnival week with Xodus Tailgate, dubbed by many as a Carnival mainstay event. We have seen many events rise and fall over the years, but Xodus Tailgate has definitely remained consistent. Tailgaters were out for the fun with their squads, barbecue grills, and soca energy to make the most of the night. This precursor event was well received and built anticipation for what was to come on Road March day.

The bold partnership between Xodus and Bacchanal was definitely a power move and the results of the partnership were fruitful, to say the least, with an excellent display of unity on the road. The Corporate Area came to life with bright colours and the jewels on the costumes shining bright — a picturesque scene of regional pride. It was exhilarating to see the vibrant colours of the flags waving in the air to the rhythms of explosive soca and dancehall music blasting from the trucks on the road.

Carnival this year was fun and the bands did great. This was a good comeback season for the country from the two-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sasha-Gaye Chambers

csashagaye@gmail.com