Garifuna Collective goes on tour

Late last year, the Garifuna Collective was on tour in Europe promoting their recent album, Ayo, which pays tribute to musical legend, Andy Palacio. The group made a big splash in Europe and are heading back today for a second tour. This time, the Garifuna Collective will be undertaking a six and a half week tour of major European cities to perform the songs of Ayo that follows the success of the world renowned Watina album. The group stopped by Channel Five’s studios before leaving the jewel to give us an update on their new journey and their venture of promoting the intangible culture, the Garifuna music.

Lloyd Martinez, Male Vocalist, Garifuna Collective

Lloyd Martinez

“We released our first album after Watina and last year we went to Europe to promote that album. We were in Europe for two weeks and we did a wonderful job. So by promoting the album in Europe, we are now able to have a six and half week of gig in Europe. So hence the reason why we are going this time to play the music live for our fans in Europe.”

Reporter

“Is there a specific name for this tour or what can fans in the European market expect from the fans this time around?”

Desiree Diego

Desiree Diego, Female Vocalist, Garifuna Collective

“Well we are going to give it all we can, all we have. Based on the first one, we get good response from the people and now we are going back for this six weeks and a half and probably continue the tour from Andy.”

Reporter

“Talk to us a bit about what the group has been up to since the last time you stopped by to discuss the progress that you’ve been making as a collective and as artists working to promote Belize?”

Al Obando, Bassist and Road Manager, Garifuna Collective

Al Obando

“We have been working with agents—and it takes time—promoters and other people involved, to put all this work together for us to leave tomorrow. It’s a bunch of people working behind the whole team so it takes a good while to prepare. So after last year after, we did the major US/Canada tour. We did an introduction in Europe and now we are able to and we are honored to represent Garifuna music and the music of Belize in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Amsterdam. So we are having like major festivals, a lot of outdoor festivals. In the summertime in Europe, there is a bunch of festivals. At the same time, we are promoting the Ayo album in Europe, playing the songs off the album and continuing the work of Andy Palacio playing the songs from Watina, the Umalali project and just continuing to push the music of Belize.”