Beenie Man performing in his 'Doctor' outfit at Spectrum. - File

After a one year absence, the Spectrum stage show is billed to make a 'wicked and wild' return on March 26 at the Constant Spring Sports Complex in St Andrew.

With a line-up of both young and seasoned artistes, the promoters of the event say, after it's non-staging last year, all is being done to ensure the show comes back with a real bang.

"The show was not held last year because we wanted to rejuvenate the brand, so we basically 'wheel and come again' ... We're coming with a more party vibe this time around, under the theme. 'Wicked and Wild', said Kingsley Green, Spectrum promoter and Hall Chairman of Chancellor Hall at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona.

their earlier days

The show is set to stage performances from Sizzla Kalonji, Aidonia, Busy Signal, Munga, Teflon, Erup, Etana, Ikaya and a host of young artistes from the UWI.

"Spectrum is a breeding ground for young artistes, so we have to include them ... major acts like Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Mavado performed at Spectrum in their earlier days," Green noted.

Selectors, Fire Links, Nico Bam Bam, ZJ Ice from Zip FM and the *lo**stain crew are also billed for the show, and are expected to help usher in the party vibe.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Jamaica Red Cross, Haiti relief fund, as well as development programmes on Chancellor Hall.

Over the years, Spectrum has been known to be a UWI event which would normally be held at the Student's Union. However, its' success forced it to move to a bigger venue, and in 2008, it was staged at the University of Technology.

The promoters noted that in its last staging at the UWI Student's Union, in 2007, Spectrum boasted a capacity crowd of over 5,000 patrons.

Asked why the event has now been moved to the Constant Spring Sports Complex, Oshane Farquharson, Spectrum promoter and Cultural Entertainment and Affairs Chairman (CEAC) of Chancellor Hall, said it was pretty much the same reason why it was moved from the UWI at first.

"The show has outgrown the campus, plus, we want to cater to persons who are not from the campus ... The complex is a good venue for a show like this and there are good security measures, and the Constant Spring Police Station is just a stone's throw away," Farquharson explained.

According to the promoters, pre-sold tickets for general admission will cost $1000 and $1300 at the gate.

College students with I.D will pay $700 pre-sold or $1000 at the gate, while backstage/VIP tickets will cost $2500. There will be free shuttle service from UWI, UTech and Mico University (Teachers') College, all of which the promoters explained, is their way of staying loyal to college patrons.

mystery artiste

"We will be treating patrons to a mystery artiste... Patrons can also come out and get autographed posters and take pictures with the artistes," Green said.

The promoters say a pre-Spectrum party will be held at the UWI Student's Union, beginning at 6:00 p.m. the day before the actual show.

"That show is courtesy of the Guild of Students and their CEAC, Ibrahim Konteh. A couple artistes from the show will be performing there and we want to host a deejay competition," Farquharson said.

For years, Spectrum has been Chancellor Hall's main and most profitable fund raising event. The event started over three decades ago as a cultural concert which was held at Chancellor Hall's dining room.

In recent years, 'The Doctor', Beenie Man had become the show's headline act and even received the title there.