Getting ready for the road - Xodus, Bacchanal band together for 2023 carnival season uncertain

Directors of Xodus Carnival and Bacchanal Jamaica are looking to incorporate a deeper, more unified experience for revellers for the 2023 carnival season.

"By joining together, we're eliminating having two sets of organising teams, two separate costume showrooms and two sets of customer representatives. It will still be the traditional Bacchanal mas that our supporters have grown with, but we will all be on one route. Whether we'll be in the middle, at the back or interspersed will all be decided," Bacchanal Jamaica co-director Michael Ammar Jr said.

He added, "Mas Camp will not be the showroom. There is one unified base which we will announce soon, where costumes will be on display and they will be sold through one platform. Instead, we will continue to use it as a party venue and other things like construction of the costumes and assembling the trucks."

Earlier this year, Bacchanal Jamaica established a partnership with Xodus to streamline the road march execution and efficiency. This has laid the foundation for the bands to focus all efforts on creating an ultra-premium carnival experience in 2023.

"This partnership is giving carnival a whole new life, as we try to bring back the true spirit of carnival," Ammar Jr said. "I believe the Xodus directors, like me, really love carnival and when we are gone, we would want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy it and look on the legacy we've created and be proud."

Both Bacchanal Jamaica and Xodus Carnival are set to showcase costumes this Saturday, November 19. The theme announced for the upcoming season has been dubbed Sweet Treats.

Xodus director Scott Dunn said that there are no plans to introduce a new band name. "It is under Xodus Carnival - it is a band within a band - with clearly defined Bacchanal sections".

"Also persons can expect all their usual favourites -- Rum For Breakfast, Bacchanal J'ouvert, Xodus Tailgate, Remedy -- and only difference is you have the of support each other for these events, a combined experience between the two bands. Everybody will feel comfortable within the space," Dunn said.