Hard Fete: A Defining Moment For The Future Of Trinidad & Tobago’s Fete Culture?
Passion. Power. Purpose.
Three words that immediately come to mind when I think about the sheer wonder of the experience I had at Hard Fete.
Honestly, there’s a lot I want to say but I struggled to find the perfect frame. Anyway, here goes…
From the moment I first heard Bunji was doing Hard Fete, I knew I had to be there. No hesitation. No second-guessing. It was a non-negotiable. Never mind pesky details like work and the fact that I now live in another country and really had no plan to be in Trinidad for carnival this year. The instructions from the Viking were clear—short pants, T-shirt or vest, sneakers, flags, rags in back pockets, and pure unadulterated vibes.
Now, if you know me, you know I’m not a short-pants girly. My wardrobe leans towards kaftans and draped dresses—I like my fabric flowing and my movement unrestricted. And let’s be real, I tend to ignore dress codes (ask Laura about the time we wore orange to an all-white affair). But Hard Fete was different. I can’t really explain it, but Hard Fete required compliance. So, I did the unthinkable—I put on my short pants, laced up my sneakers, stuck my rag in my back pocket, and headed to Sound Forge.
We got there sometime after 10 PM, and let me tell you—the energy was already in the stratosphere. No slow build-up, no gradual hype—it was full-throttle from the jump.
We walked in just as Shal Marshall was wrapping up, but even the last few moments of his set were high-powered. That man could energize a rock. Then came Pumpa, the St. Kitts-born, USVI-based artiste who did what he does best—command the crowd and turn the vibes up another notch.
He was followed by Lord Shurwayne of House Winchester and baby, let me tell you, we weren’t ready! He started by reminding us why he is and always has been THAT guy. His vocal range? Impeccable. His ability to engage the audience? Unmatched. His presence? A masterclass. He gave us hits. He gave us nostalgia. He gave us life. And when he jumped off the stage to join us? Euphoria! He reminded us why it is necessary to put respect on his name at all times.
Most seasoned fete goers can attest to the fact that there’s usually a dip in energy during performance breaks as people take that time to go to the bar or bathroom. That wasn’t the case at Hard Fete. The energy was constant throughout and reached a fever pitch when the Viking and his queen finally took to the stage. Their set started with Bunji’s Carry It.
Some people have since opined that the ancestors were walking among us on Thursday night into Friday morning. I lean toward agreeing because there’s no other explanation for the magnificent, otherworldly energy we all experienced.
Our host and hostess for the evening took turns delivering energetic performances of hits from their impressive catalogues, further wowing the crowd with their effortless chemistry on stage.
Shifting Gears A Bit…
Last year we raised questions about the shift in fete culture with different groups laying blame for this shift at the feet of others. Promoters blamed patrons. Patrons blamed DJs. DJs blamed both. Some people say it’s the DJs who don’t play enough new music at events while others, dissatisfied with the quality of music and performances, say it’s the artistes fault. Regardless of your viewpoint in this debate, through the success of Hard Fete, Bunji and FayAnn proved what to many can be categorized as uncomfortable (whether yall care to acknowledge it or not) truths. In years past, we’ve all seen the growing trend of events catering to crowds that don’t necessarily target, cater to, or include all groups. We’ve seen a moving away from what many aspects of this festival were meant to be. It’s getting harder for grassroots people to participate in this thing that their (our) ancestors built.
Bunji’s Carry It is a lyrical masterpiece that pays homage to a time when where you came from, your ethnic identity, or socioeconomic background had little bearing on where and how you feted.
Downtown fete was a safe space
30,000 people of different backgrounds converge on PSA grounds
Shaking like ah earthquake, but everyone was fine
It was when hot gyal wine,
We used to see the downtown massive with the uptown massive
With no fences to separate.
And it was like a rite of passage when yuh clothes get damage
Cause yuh start feteing by the gate.
Dem time dey the ground used to carry it…
In my opinion, a major contributor to the shift in fete culture is the constant we vs them and the apparent need to separate.
Hard Fete was the antidote to whatever has been missing. It was a reminder that a fete doesn’t need bottle service and VIP sections to be legendary. It just needs energy. Passion. Freedom.
Bunji and FayAnn proved that people still know how to fete and actually want to do so with abandon- without being shackled by forced status quo. The Soca power couple also reinforced the importance of reclaiming elements of the Carnival celebration that have been lost or largely ignored.
And let me tell you, I personally needed this more than I realized. In the midst of the mayhem, I broke down twice (snot and all). I was feeling a tad embarrassed until I realised I wasn’t the only one overcome with emotion. Hard Fete wasn’t just another fete. It was a medium through which many of us found release. It was catharsis/
I’m hopeful that we will take advantage of this precious thing that Bunji and FayAnn have gifted us- a reminder of who and what we used to be; a catalyst for needed change in our approach to feteing which could very well spill over into other areas of life. Proof that Bunji and FayAnn didn’t just host an event—they started a movement and proved that downtown has and will always Carry It.
If this is what the return of real feting looks like, count me in—short pants and all.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the 2026 carnival calendar has several other events reminiscent of what Fay and Garlin gifted us this year.
The collective energy was everything we needed. I wish I could bottle and sell it, or better yet, sprinkle it over every inch of this beautiful two-island republic we call home.
Bunji, FayAnn, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! I needed everything I got at Hard Fete and I’m looking forward to the second staging of this monster event (it has to be staple on the Carnival calendar from henceforth) next year. Now, if you would be so kind as to direct me to where I could source one of those tees and/or bandanas, I’ll be forever grateful… I need a tangible reminder of the sheer epicness of the inaugural staging of Hard Fete.
