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The people of Saint-Barthélemy will be treated to an exceptional New Year's Eve concert in 2025. Thanks to the work of the elected members of the Culture Commission, the Collectivité Territoriale has chosen to invite two "names" from the Caribbean and international music scene. The legendary Guadeloupean group Kassav' and the artist Kalash, a key figure on the dancehall, rap and shatta scene. But they won't be alone on stage on the evening of December 31. Local artist Gums, DJ Sinner G and The Blondies will be on hand to keep the audience entertained until the end of the night.
Kassav', back after 1987, 1996 and 2014
For Kassav', Saint-Barthélemy won't be a discovery. The group performed in 1987, and again in July 1996 at the Sainte-Marie de Colombier school. A visit orchestrated by Radio Transat. Their last visit dates back to 2014. The musicians were invited by the organizers of the Saint-Barth Cata Cup. The concert took place in Saint-Jean, in the Collectivité parking lot. It was suggested that the stage be set up on the Quai du Général de Gaulle, but this request was rejected for safety reasons. This time, the concert will be held in front of the Hôtel de la Collectivité in La Pointe. Even if, at first glance, the space available may seem relatively cramped for audiences of such popular artists.
Founded in 1979, Kassav' quickly gained international fame and popularity. Since its inception, the group has performed in over 80 countries, including Asia, Africa, Europe (notably the former Soviet Union) and, of course, the United States. Endorsed by Miles Davis in the early 1980s, Kassav''s music conquered audiences the world over. A forerunner and innovator, the group created zouk by synthesizing Caribbean music (bèlè, gwo-ka, biguine, kompas, kadans, calypso, cadence-lypso). It's hard to imagine that his presence on December 31st won't draw crowds under the windows of the Collectivité.
A crowd that will be all the more dense as the other headliner, Kalash, regularly fills the most prestigious venues. For example, on June 12, 2026, he is scheduled to perform at the Défense Arena in Paris.
A gift to the Saint-Barth public
The December 31 concert will be open to all, with free admission. No ticket sales, therefore. Such a gift to the public obviously comes at a cost to the Collectivité.
For Kalash (author, composer, performer and actor), the cost is around 90,000 euros. "It includes the artist's fee as well as all event-related expenses, in particular travel, accommodation and catering, in the particular context of a performance scheduled for December 31, in the presence of the artist's father.cembre, in the presence of its DJ and manager", explains the Collectivité's culture and communications department, which points out that "this fee remains lower than the one incurred last year for the Marley brothers' appearance".
As far as Kassav' is concerned, the partnership agreement published on the Collectivité territoriale website shows an amount of 302,406 euros. "This program was made possible by the decision not to renew the drone show, which freed up the funds needed to welcome this emblematic group on the international scene", says the culture and communications department. In fact, a more traditional fireworks display will be fired from the Gendarmerie fort at midnight. For the record, the Collectivité had organized a drone show for the evening of August 24, 2024, requiring an investment of 182,000 euros. This initiative has not been repeated since.
For the Collectivité, the important thing for the evening of December 31 is that "the artistic stage is part of a broader reflection aimed at responding to a strong expectation of the local population".the population of Saint-Barthélemy to gather around more traditional, unifying and popular cultural events". The culture and communications department added: "This program also reaches out to a wide audience, from the youngest to the oldest. "
Here's hoping that the Collectivité's forecourt will be big enough to accommodate all the fans of Kassav' and Kalash, as well as Gums, DJ Sinner G and the Blondies. For a show like this, the crowds should be huge.
The program
The line-up for the New Year's concert is extremely diverse. The Collectivité territoriale's culture commission has decided to immerse the audience in a Caribbean atmosphere, whose presence on the island is dwindling. The program is as follows
- 8pm - Sinner G
- 9pm - Gums
- 10:30pm - Kassav'
- Midnight - Fireworks
- 00h30 - Kalash
- 01:30am - The Blondies
(Duo of DJ Hanna Machete and DJ Shawty)
The evening will be hosted by the energetic Guadeloupean presenter Himuss.
