A new way to party on Sandy Island

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

The hand-painted sign on Anguilla’s Sandy Island famously states that music is provided by the “Seagulls, Wind and Waves Band.” But Mother Nature’s aural trio will have some stiff competition come November, when the idyllic offshore oasis hosts the first annual Livin’ In The Sun music festival.

Scheduled for November 11 to 13, the event will highlight “global music with EDM [electronic dance music] at its core,” says Simone Connor, who manages the sun-drenched .6-acre spit that lies just five minutes from the village of Sandy Ground and who conceived the idea for the festival. Headliners Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and Italian electro house duo Supernova will be joined by 11 other deejays from as far afield as Australia, France, and South Africa, who’ll perform alongside Anguilla’s top turntable talent DJ Sugar and Sandy Island’s house mixmaster, Yooshe.

The five-event schedule combines daytime concerts on Sandy Island with nighttime parties at the Dune Preserve, Anguilla Great House and Nat’s Place.

“Although this started as an initiative for Sandy Island, we’re working to make this a collaborative annual national event that will kick-start Anguilla’s tourist season a full month early, and therefore benefit everybody,” said Connor.

Tickets for nighttime events are $50, and the Sandy Island all-day concerts are $200, inclusive of food and drink.

Hotel partners include Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, CeBlue Villas, LA Vue, Paradise Cove Resort and The Pavilion Inn.

For more information go to livininthesun.com.