Cup Match wouldn’t be the same without a driving beat behind it. Whether at the cricket field, on the beach or out on the water, there’s sure to be some sort of tune blasting nearby. The Royal Gazette took to the streets to quiz people about their Cup Match jamming habits.

Bank worker Tahkeesha Welch, 37.

I go to Cup Match every year and stay all day. My favourite holiday song is Jam Bermuda by Arrow. It was made for Bermuda for Cup Match. I like to go to Soca Versus Reggae. In fact, I go every year, and cheer for the reggae side. This is the ninth year for SVR and I think the score is tied between soca and reggae, so it should be exciting. I was disappointed that Beenie Man wasn’t coming this year, but I am excited about RDX.

New Creation Worship Centre worship leader, Adrian Jones, 24.

I wasn’t planning to go to any of the Cup Match concerts. I listen to gospel music so my favourite song is Worth by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy. It definitely inspires me. I will probably be in the water for Cup Match since it is super hot. I might go to the upcoming gospel concert, Virtue.

Law student Rachel Tucker, 23.

My favourite Cup Match song is Like Ah Boss by Machel Montano. I want to see Major Lazer on the Wednesday before Cup Match and Wayne Wonder in the Emancipation Celebration concert on Thursday. All the concerts absolutely add to the mood of the holiday, especially the Wednesday one because that will be like the start of things.

Gombey queen Janice Warner Tucker, 74.

I like calypso; it really livens up the feeling of Cup Match. I like just hearing the music. I used to go to the game, but now that I am a senior citizen I can’t handle the sun anymore. I watch it on television.

Information technologist Anthony Fellowes, 34. I am from Cape Town, South Africa and have been here about five years. Being on the Island I listen to a bit of soca music, but I listen to everything. I like the weekend top 40 stuff. I hadn’t made any special plans for Cup Match as this year I was planning to go away. Now, I am not sure if I am going away or not. If I do stay on the Island for the holiday, I will probably go to SVR, and cheer for the soca side.

Accounts administrator Shirelle Lambert. (Age undisclosed.)

I like calypso, especially around Cup Match. My favourite song is Wotless by Kes the Band. It is a great atmosphere at Cup Match. It is a beautiful feeling to see the Island come together for two days to celebrate emancipation. I used to go to the beach at Cup Match, but now that I have gotten older I have come to appreciate the game. I try to go for the first ball and stay there for the last part of the game. This year, I might go to the Cup Match Summer Splash with Barrington Levy.