Antigua and Barbuda / Special Interests / Music

By James Henderson

The hotels and tourist bars in Antigua play an easy mix of international music and Caribbean rhythms – reggae, calypso and even some zouk from the nearby French islands. You will also hear steel bands. Several local bands play the circuit, of which the best known are Burning Flame, LA Kru, Vision Band, Power Union and Da Bhann. Like all West Indians, the Antiguans are great music fans and so you will sometimes find musicians from nearby islands playing and singing at shows and concerts.

Traditional music in Antigua is fife music, played with a fife (a sort of flute) accompanied by a guitar, a ukelele, a grater and a huge pipe that acts as bass. The best known Antiguan fife band is called the Rio Band. Antigua’s most famous band was Big Bad Dread and the Baldheads, which was founded by Davidson “Bankers” Benjamin and featured former West Indian test cricketers Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson. A change of direction in 2009 heralded the formation of a new band called Spirited, made up of all the members of the old band apart from “Bankers”, along with some new faces. They often play at island functions, especially when cricket is involved and occasionally at Shirley Heights and in the clubs.

De Jam Festival
A music festival that normally takes place late September/early October, featuring DJs from around the Caribbean and further afield, who perform in exotic settings around the island, on beaches, on yachts and in dance halls. Themed nights, an exclusive boat cruise and a beach barbecue.

Steel Band at Jolly Beach
Music and Entertainment

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Upcoming events

07 Jun - 14 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Various venues with a week of Celtic music, dancing, food and sport. This year's events currently include:

7 June - Pipers along the boardwalk on the south coast
8 June - Concert at Plantation Theatre, in St Lawrence Gap with the Peat Bog Faeries and
9 June - Food event - cooking demo by International Chef Paul Wedgwood at 11.30 am, Relish Epicurea, Limegrove, Holetown.A Jeep Safari Rum Shop Tour is slated for the afternoon.
11 June - Special 5 hour lunch cruise on Cool Runnings. Irish Night from 6pm at McBride's Pub in St Lawrence Gap.
12 June - Walk and Talk in the Flower Forest.
13 June - The Alan Kelly Gang in concert at Holders House - guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot.
14 June - Grand finale details to be advised.

Please see individual dates for more information.
07 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Listen to the rousing sound of Highland Bagpipes as the sun sets along the Boardwalk, on the South Coast (free event). Entertainment near Blaikeys Bar at 5.30pm by the Celtic Fusion dancers from Canada.

On the West Coast there will be live Celtic music at JuJu's beach bar in St James from 5.30pm (free event).
08 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

An exciting fusion of Celtic dance, rock, jazz, hip hop and reggae music by the Peatbog Faeries from Skye (nominated for Best Live Act BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012) supported by Sandra Macbeth and her band. Includes a performance by Celtic Fusion, from the Mackenzie School of Dance, Nova Scotia. Cost US$25/Bds$50. The Plantation Theatre, St Lawrence at 8pm.
11 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Special 5-hour Celtic cruise along the West Coast of Barbados on the 60ft catamaran, Cool Runnings. Cruise from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Cost US$80/Bds$160 which includes lunch, drinks, snorkelling and swimming with turtles.

Irish Night at McBrides Pub in St Lawrence Gap with Happy Hour all night and live music by Fiona Young's band. Tickets available at the door from 6pm.
12 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Enjoy a guided walk through the enchanting 50-acre Flower Forest with owner David Spieler. Bagpipes and Celtic dancing at a favourite beauty spot with views to the East Coast and Scotland District. Starts at 11am. Cost US$10/Bds$20.
13 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Irish folk music at Holders House Holders from 7pm, with the option of dinner by celebrity chef, Paul Wedgwood. Holders Season in association with Celtic Festival Barbados present The Alan Kelly Gang in concert, with guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot. Cost US$50/Bds$100 including drinks (dinner extra).

Browse Music on other islands

Or read our other island guides

Antigua and Barbuda’s weather

When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

Visit Nelson's Dockyard, the oldest functioning naval facility in the world
Party at Shirley Heights Lookout on Sunday at sunset followed by barbecue and live music
Stay at the spectacular Jumby Bay
Hop over to Barbuda for stunning beaches and excellent birdwatching
Race a yacht to nearby Montserrat for the day

Antigua and Barbuda Events

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