Organisers upbeat after Xodus band launch

Scores of patrons turned up on Saturday for the Xodus 'Sweet Treats' band launch to get a first-hand view of the costumes for carnival 2023.

The launch was held at Mona Hockey Field and is the first formal event under the Xodus x Bacchanal partnership which was announced recently.

Reveling in the "historic" new partnership, Bacchanal Co-director Michael Ammar is calling for unity this upcoming carnival season.

"Feeling great, and it's even better because we are doing it as a joint launch with Xodus. This is historic. Nobody could have ever told me or the guys in Xodus that we would be together. Everybody so far has been very accommodating on both sides, and I think we all realise that we love carnival, so we need to be together to execute the best carnival possible. I am looking for unity and a carnival that brings people together rather than separates them," he shared.

Xodus and Bacchanal are two of Jamaica's biggest carnival bands, and the union will make them a force on the road next season.

Local designer Anna Guthrie said she was excited, as this was her first time having her designs cast in a carnival band launch.

"It feels great having my design being a part of the launch, my hope is that my costumes will be well received. I do it for the culture and the music. Overall, it is a great feeling," she said.