By Ainsworth Morris 

Both Valiant and Coca-Cola fans were treated on Saturday night to a tasty food village, exclusive merchandise which patrons unlocked with recycled bottles, a customisation station to personalise Coke bottles, an immersive virtual reality (IVR) game station, and a full recording studio during Jamaica’s inaugural Bites and Beats Festival on the lawns of Hope Gardens, St Andrew.

Following the event, Chantelle McDonald, Senior Brand Manager, Coca-Cola, told Our Today that “the festival where flavour meets fun” truly lived up to all expectations for patrons, who needed six personalised Coca-Cola labels to enter.

“The Bites and Beats Festival was birth from our Share a Coke campaign that’s happening right now. The Share a Coke campaign is all about amplifying everyday, meaningful connections with the people who we love; the people who are close to us. When you share a coke with someone who has their name on it, you’re telling them that you’re thinking of them, and you want to share that joy with them, and so, what better way to make that even bigger and better, than sharing a Coke with great food, great music, great vibes and great experiences, and that’s what we have tonight,” McDonald said at the late evening event.

The night climaxed with a 20-minute performance starting at 11 o’clock from popular Jamaican dancehall artiste, Valiant, who dropped hit after hit. 

After starting with his major hit single North Carolina, the artiste then flowed into some of his other singles and collaborations, such as Lumbah, Weh She Love, Narcissistic, Barbie’s, Dunce Cheque, Bubble Gum, GodFada, Mad Out and Passenger Princess.

“The festival was pure vibes. From the moment I got on the stage, the crowd was full of energy, everybody was vibing and singing along. It’s just always great whenever I get to connect with fans,” Valiant said after his performance.

Prior to his performance, DJ Gabby, Marc Chin of Coppershot, Tonio Chromatic, Nico Lee, and Kryptic, kept the beats flowing throughout the night. 

Other highlights from the event.