By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Beyond the Reef Music Festival Volume 2 returns to Plaza de España in Hagåtña on Nov. 18, featuring an array of musical genres.
Headlining the festival are Eli-Mac and Anuhea.
Eli-Mac has been a staple in the worldwide reggae scene over the last 12 years bringing her unique blend of soul, hip-hop and reggae. She is performing on Guam for the first time.
Anuhea, a Maui native, has captivated audiences with her silky-smooth vocals and creative songwriting. Although she has performed on Guam before, she comes excited to share all the new music she’s put out over the last five years as an official headliner.
The lineup includes local acts Keo Ray, Mama Char, Sleeping In, The FreqX, Straightup Jed, Jonah Hano and The John Dank Show, who represented Guam at the recently concluded Westpac All-Island West Coast tour.
Also gracing the BTR stage are the reggae groups Inna Vision from Hawaii, and Tribal Seeds' Gonzo and Zeb from California.
Rounding out the show is Texas native Cas Haley who has carved out a major following after a successful showing on America’s Got Talent where he finished as a runner-up. Haley is known for his sultry voice and for blending his unique vocals into tracks that incorporate rock, blues, country and reggae.
Tickets are $65 for general admission and $100 for VIP and available at Guamtime.net, 76 Circle K stations, and at the door. Kids 12 and Under are free (Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).
“It was important for us to allow for representation and provide the headlining showcase based on an artist’s talent, not their gender," said Frankie McJohn, the festival's founder. "Looking around, my team and I noticed that island events tend to book male bands, artists, and comedians, instead of giving the platform and opportunity to overly deserving women, so we opted to change that."
“Guahan music has been shaped by female pioneers like Flora Baza Quan, Ruby Santos, and The Sirenas. It's only fitting that Beyond the Reef gives an outlet for the strong independent women and girls of our island to let loose, have fun, and finally be represented on the big stage," McJohn said.
Along with 12 musical acts, event organizers said food trucks and a Farmers’ Market with more than 20 local vendors will give guests "an unparalleled festival experience."
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