Sting is still on, says Laing

Since the announcement of Mavado's December 27 show, talks have been swirling around about the annual Boxing Day event Sting being "in trouble or dead".

However, the event's promoter, Tahheer 'Fatman' Laing, said Sting is up and pumping with an elevated energy with all the attention garnered from the new buzz.

Corporate affairs and compliance manager at Plantation Cove, Vonni Koromanti Meikle, told THE STAR earlier this week that "Boxing Day is dead and the only stinging and buzzing is happening on the 27th of December".

"Vonni fi behave herself man," Laing laughed. He told THE WEEKEND STAR that he doesn't see the Reggae Fest branded event having any impact on Sting.

"Sting will always be there because Sting a Sting. Mi a get baay phone call asking about the line-up for the show; people are interested. Suh nuh worry yuhself man, Sting a keep. Sting is on man, trust me, Sting is on with a different look," a confident Laing stated.

"Mi nuh watch weh people waah seh, enuh, because mi done know di direction weh mi a guh wid Sting already; it's a bigger vision than just a show. We have been that show that's responsible for nurturing young talents and giving them di exposure. Suh our thing always ago deh deh because every day yuh have youths weh waah step up to di next level," he added.

Laing said with the event still holding on to its December 26 date, the only possible change might be to its venue while refocusing more on catering to the Gen-Z crowd through its full day and night entertainment package.

"The show will definitely be of a younger nature because we want to give the younger artistes and Sting followers a chance to express themselves as well as fi give dem dat 'Sting bragging rights' fi be the talk of the town on December 27, seh 'A me tek Sting,'" he said. Laing noted that the show will still feature established and "big-named" artistes. Tommy Lee Sparta and Jamal were previously confirmed for the event.

"Dis is Christmas and dis time addi year full a event. [Mavado show] wouldn't be the first big event keep the day after Sting. Suh I feel like there's enough space in December and di people dem who are die-hearted fans of Sting and die-hearted fans of [other stage shows] dem ago guh weh dem waah fi guh. Suh I don't really think it's gonna be a problem. Not taking anything from the artiste but I don't think it's gonna bother us," he said. He, however, called for more commercial support for the brand from corporate Jamaica.

Laing further opined that "Vybz Kartel's Freedom Street concert last year did a lot of good for Sting, and he was seeing a similar boost from Mavado.

"From Mavado come back a Jamaica mi phone nuh stop ring suh Sting a get its own promotion from them. But once you mention Kartel and Mavado, Sting name affi come up because of di history they share with the brand. I don't believe the issue is with the brand but the rift with previous management of the brand. But this is a different person with a difference to do business and everybody family affi eat," he said.

With a planned venue already set in place, Laing said he is now more focused on looking to host Sting in the United Kingdom for 2026, with more plans to be revealed at Sting's launch next month.