There were many appeals for peace at next month's Sting 25, as the annual Boxing Day 'Greatest One Night Show on Earth' was launched on Tuesday evening to a full house at the Jamaica Pegasus' Talk of the Town.

This year's staging is dubbed 'The Final Frontier, the Settlement of all Argument'.

University of the West Indies lecturer Dr Donna Hope said Sting is always about the clash, but "we must let the better words talk at Sting 25". She closed by urging artistes to keep it lyrical and not get into the physical at the mega-concert, held at Jam World in Portmore, St Catherine.

Dancehall Baddest

Vybz Kartel, who will perform in the closing 'Dancehall Baddest' section along with Mavado, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Ninja Man, requested, "just keep this Sting as peaceful and amicable as possible."

Reneto Adams said "we are working towards making this one of the most peaceful Sting's ever," warning the hooligans, "we have you on our database." Goddy Goddy, who will perform in the 'True Believers' segment, prayed powerfully "that this will be a violence-free Sting."

The launch

There seems to be hardly any doubt, though, that there will be a battle on stage, although none was officially announced at the launch, hosted by Big Mac. A Sting retrospective on big screen focused on clashes of years past, the cheers going up as Ninja Man tackled Shabba Ranks in 1990 and Supercat in 1991, Bounty Killer roared "peoooople dead" as he charged on stage against Beenie Man in 1993 and Merciless took on 'the world' in 2001.

But the biggest cheers came when Mavado and Vybz Kartel's faces were put side by side at the end of the clip.

The launch was a sign of things to come on Boxing Day; the Sting ladies were out in silver and the Monster ladies in predominantly black, skimpy gear, while many other young women were 'dressed to the heels'. The music pumped after the official proceedings and many of entertainment's outstanding personalities were on hand.

Big Mac said "Sting is the only entertainment event that has been held on the same date for 24 years in this hemisphere," while Supreme Promotions boss Isaiah Laing said, "when I started Sting I never dreamt it would become the giant it is now.

"There have been many successes and challenges," he said, thanking all, but especially the loyal fans. And he was thanked in turn by the members of the Supreme Promotions team, who honoured him with an award.

Other Sting 25 segments are 'Dancehall's Starters', where Black Judah is among the performers, while Charley Black, Flippa Mafia and Shane-O are part of 'Dancehall's Future'. 'Dancehall's Divas' include Lady Patra, Lady G and Junie Platinum, with TNT and Spice among the 'Dancehall Trendsetters'. DJ Nicholas is also part of the 'True Believers', with I-Octane, Serani, Terry Linen, Etana and Queen Ifrica in the 'Dancehall's Coolest' section.

Kartel reaffirmed the stringent security measures, among which is that no entourages will be allowed on stage, saying that there will be "about 100 police around the stage alone." There were chuckles when he said there would also be police in the crowd "looking for unscrupulous people."

Sting ticket discounts

Among the sponsors whose representatives spoke on Tuesday evening were WISYNCO, Cariblink and Monster Energy Drink. Island Stubs' Noelle Nichols announced a deal with THE STAR. When Sting tickets go on sale December 19th, anyone who buys a copy of THE STAR and takes it to an Island Stubs outlet will get big Sting ticket discounts.

The regular prices are $1,500 pre-sold and $2,000 at the gate for regular admission and $5,000 for the VIP section.

Mayor of Portmore, Keith Hinds said he was taking his dancing shoes along to the concert.