After non-flattering reviews last year when the annual Fully Loaded was staged at its original venue of Fort Clarence beach in Portmore, the stage show has returned to James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary, with hopes of providing an even better package than years before.

The event, which is known for memorable sound clashes, performances and passa passa, is slated for Sunday, July 26. Dubbed a 'disappointing loaded' last year due to long waits and major acts such as Bounty Killer who did not get to perform, Mavado only did a short stint and 'Mr Fully Loaded' himself Tony Matterhorn did not grace thewheels of steel.


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However, with a return to the beach venue and better management, Chris Campbell, public relations coordinator at Solid Agency, organisers of the event, says persons can expect a better event this year.

According to Campbell, James Bond Beach is the better venue to host the show, saying: "Last year I don't think Portmore was ready for Fully Loaded and based on experience, James Bond beach is the better and more comfortable venue. Last year's show wasn't the best Fully Loaded but it wasn't the worse either; we had a number of acts who didn't perform, but it was the first time that a new Japanese sound, Barrier Free, came and did so well which was something."

The line-up for the show has not been confirmed, but Campbell told THE WEEKEND STAR that persons can expect to see top Jamaican artistes as well as members of the Bounty Killer-led Alliance. In the past, Fully Loaded has introduced international acts like Cassidy, Ying Yang Twins, Rick Ross and Fabolous, not to mention Sounds like Mighty Crown, Vertex, Sight and Sound and Barrier Free.

Although unwilling to release the name of the overseas act this year, Campbell says persons can expect another International rapper who is larger than life.

Outside of the return to James Bond Beach and a new line-up, Fully Loaded this year will be streamed live onlinefor the world to see.

"A very important change this year is that the show will be streamed online for the world to watch live. There are not many shows locally, other than like Sting, that has done this and while we can't release where it will be streamed, we're happy doing that," Campbell said.

Adding, "It's the same Fully Loaded format, but we're looking to uphold a standard and to make the show more organised so you won't see people just running onstage or we not looking to have any backstage quarrels."

Source: Jamaica Star

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