British Virgin Islands / Special Interests / Music

By James Henderson

With their thoroughly international view on life, the British Virgin Islands offer something in pretty much every musical field. You can expect to hear Latin music (from nearby Puerto Rico and beyond), international jazz, rock and roll bands brought in from “the mainland” and steel bands (the instrument originates in Trinidad but the players are local). There are even classical artists at the local community college. Then there are all the home-grown acts, including Foxy from Jost van Dyke and Quito (based in Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay) who play guitar and sing. Finally there are the traditional musicians of the BVIs, who play in “strings bands”. You can even find stand-up comedy in the BVIs.

The Cane Garden Bay Music Festival features renowned international musicians and attracts thousands during the three days of US Memorial Day weekend.

Tortola

Bars worth seeking out for their good music include (clockwise from West End on Tortola):

The Jolly Roger, West End, next to the ferry terminal
Regular guest bands in season

Clem’s by the Sea, Carrot Bay
Home to the steel band Clem and the Starlights, which sometimes plays on its home patch when not booked by another bar or restaurant.

Myetts, Cane Garden Bay
Live music frequently on weekend evenings, often the heart of the action in Cane Garden Bay.

Quito’s, Cane Garden Bay
Home of “Quito and the Edge”. There is live music several times a week, sometimes Quito doing his one-man show, otherwise the full band and occasionally just the Edge on their own.

Cyber Cafe, Trellis Bay
Full Moon parties.

Virgin Queen
A discotheque on Saturdays.

Virgin Gorda

Bath and Turtle
There is a live band on Wednesday nights.

Chez Bamboo
Phase Two, a band, plays on Friday nights.

Leverick Bay
The band Latitude Stars plays on Friday nights and there are Jumby stilt dancers as entertainment.

The Rock Café
Piano bar liveliest on weekend evenings.

Jost Van Dyke

Foxy’s
Foxy himself plays the guitar, singing songs made up on the spot about the patrons in the bar. There are also bands on big weekends.

Local Island Musicians

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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).