My First Reggae Sumfest Experience (2022)… And What An Experience It Was!

First, let me say this isn’t an “excitement” post, but rather, an encounter; one that happened in a very unexpected way and at a very unexpected place. If you’re expecting lines overflowing with experiences of a night filled with fun and excitement, this isn’t it. This is a personal revelation that just happened to take place at an event I’d wanted to go to, for as long as I can remember. But hey, I got to mark it off my list! :D

Now, I’m a lover of all things within the creative arts, and I have the utmost respect for all creative; artists, poets, designers, artistes, writers, comedians, musicians, producers, composers, animators, influencers, filmmakers… the list could go on and on; it’s not easy being a content creator, that’s for sure, so to all who do, hats off and kudos to you! Keep doing what you do!

I am especially a huge lover of music— so much so that if I were lyrically inclined I’d write music, and if I had the means, I’d probably compose too— so big up to everyone who makes and is a part of the music industry, in any way, shape, or form. I love and appreciate music, that’s it; the genre seldom even matters, I listen them all (as a matter of fact, if you have any recommendations and suggestions feel free to share them with me in the comments section too, I love having new beats to add to my library :D). So of course, the internationally acclaimed reggae music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was and had always been on my radar since my teenage years.

The thing is, for one reason or another; I had never gotten the opportunity/chance to go, not until the most recent staging held last weekend (after a long, two-year break resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic). I had been talking about going for weeks, months, however, somehow as it got closer to the time, and with my recent walk with God, the enthusiasm slowly died and I lost all vibe and interest to go. I figured it was probably because I wasn’t meant to be there. If I were, things would have been different; things would have worked out, right? Still, somewhere deep inside me, I felt like I would anyway, and wanted to, but I decided I was not going to put myself out of my own way to do so— then, would you believe that a ticket just came to me? Yep! Fell right in my lap, at the very last minute, literally two days before the event I had my eyes set on. Sooooo…. I decided I’d go after all, and that I did.

Now, like I mentioned before, I’ve been on an incredible journey with God lately. He’s been leading, guiding and grooming me into an amazing woman; a woman I look forward to getting to know a little bit more, every day. And so I figured, if the opportunity presented itself for me to go and everything was pretty much working out for it all to happen, then it must be His will, right? After all, I do love music (and I can’t promise anyone that only one type/genre of music will be played in my home; I have too much of an appreciation for the art for that, but I digress…), anyone who really knows me, knows how much I do, and how much I love to dance (please note though, I never said I was a dancer), and how long I’ve been wanting to go to this epic, reggae music festival!

So, I made the plans, put all that I needed to, together and the night came. I was ecstatic! I was going to see two of my favourite artistes, too!

I was all dressed up, all black and gothic-looking, the whole works (listen, if you saw me, and then heard me speak you’d probably be completely shocked, more than that, you’d be even more baffled to know I was also a woman of God… but, that would have served all the judgmental folks right— in my mind, people have a right to be how ever self-expressive as they want to be), I was ready to gooooo!

We had journeying mercies and got there safe, but then my friends decided to set-up-camp in an area that was definitely not fit for me; it was soooo bright! Listen! Again, anyone who really knows me knows I much prefer the dark at all times (and with good reason); I am not one for too much light (absolutely not! You can call me a vamp all you want, that will not change my preference for dark spaces) and so automatically, the spot we settled in was already a damper on my night… but, I stayed there.

Then, I realised I wasn’t even interested in what was happening. For the entire night, I found myself stuck inside my head, in my own world, talking to God! Imagine that! There I was, at one of the greatest reggae music festivals of all time, and I was stuck in my head… talking to God?? There were times when I tried to come back to my reality and the event, tried to get my body to move a little bit to the rhythm and beats all around me, but it just never happened. I’d eventually find myself back inside my head, asking God what on earth I was really doing there.

Back in the day, I’d be one to literally dance the whole night away, caring zero of who’s around. I’d just be enjoying myself, in my zone. Not that night. That night, I was all about God, trying to figure out what lesson I was there to learn.

I remember continually asking God, to reveal to me what my purpose was there, and then eventually it happened. As I stood there, my eyes started getting hazy, I felt light as a feather, stiff as a board (as the game goes), I felt my body fading, like I was no longer existing, like my spirit was being lifted from my body, I couldn’t see or feel anything anymore, although my eyes were still wide open, and then… I fainted; (I like to say, I “fell asleep”… except, I was still on my feet!), that’s right! I fell straight to the ground!

Yep! Mi good, good, drop a grung!

Listen! I wish I had that moment captured, but I’ll be grateful still, that I didn’t because, what??

However, the moment I hit the ground, I was conscious again, but extremely weak. I took a seat, got some water and nuts to revive myself, and like a flood, everything started coming to me, started making sense. I realised then, in that moment that I wasn’t the girl I used to be, and though I tried to bring her back at the start of the night, somehow she still wasn’t able to fully resurface, simply because I just wasn’t her anymore.

Now, I was the woman who hungered more for communication and closeness with God, I desired more to know His purpose for me and strive to fulfil it, I thirsted more for His spirit to surround and fill me, I wanted more to be about His mission and business. I didn’t want to be there anymore; right up to the point of getting to the event, I was so eager to see those two artistes, but then I realised it didn’t matter to me. What I wanted much more was to be in the comfort and warmth of my own home, in the dark, play my own music, dance and vibe in my own zone.

I did say I wanted to know why I was there, and now I do; it was simply to realise and understand that I am a completely different woman now. And that’s what the grace of God does; it transforms you, it cleanses and heals, it restores and makes new. I have no regrets, I’ve come a far way and experienced quite a lot, to get to where I now am. It’s been and still is a beautiful journey, and as I still get to know this new and improved woman, I only pray I’ll be able to have the courage always to speak up and be a witness to those who need it.

In the long and short of it, my first Reggae Sumfest experience was an eye opener in many ways than one, and although it was far from what I had anticipated, I’m grateful for the experience and the revelation that it led to, for me. I am still a lover of music, and will always be, but I believe when it comes to events now, I’m more carefully selective and I like that.

I know this may not be a very “exciting” experience to share, but it’s a part of my journey, and as I venture deeper on my new path, I find myself more willing to share my experiences. I may not know everyone personally, who will read this, but no matter who you are, what you’re going through, what you’re doing right now, how you are right now, healing and a beautiful transformation is available to you through God’s grace if you are willing, because He always is. If someone like me can be transformed and find so much peace, imagine what it can do for you. Remember, nothing in this world is forever; everything, no matter what you have, what you’ve acquired, they will all pass away, but God’s kingdom is forever.

I don’t know about anyone else, but nothing is scarier to me right now, than having to spend eternity in torment. How you live your life right now will determine where you will spend your ever after; the choice is yours and you get to choose every day. Choose wisely, my dear friends and readers. Please.

And with that, until next time, make wise decisions, regret nothing but ensure to learn from all that life has to teach, remain focused on what is important, eat well, take care of yourself and others, and of course, big up yuhself!

:D