For the past few months Bermuda has been awash with rumours that Europe?s best known reggae act, Gentleman and the Far East Band, was coming to to the Island. But the same rumours swirled across the parishes last year close to the annual Cup Match holiday, yet nothing materialised.

Andrew Holmes, who runs one of the Island?s newest production companies 441 Productions, is pleased to say that this year there?s nothing but truth to the rumours.

Gentleman and the Far East Band will be headlining what is expected to be the biggest concert of the year at Clearwater Beach tomorrow night.

Better yet Mr. Holmes is proud to support local artists who will be opening the show including Collie Budz.

?My aim is to create better entertainment on the Island, not just parties,? Mr. Holmes said. ?I want to see international entertainers come to the Island while showcasing the best of local entertainment. I want to raise the bar and take it up a notch.

?I am confident that Gentleman is that package. It was also important for us to bring the Far East Band. Gentleman is good but he is amazing with the Far East Band because it?s his band.?

Gentleman and the Far East Band are one of the most sought out live acts in Europe. His first album, ?Journey to Jah?, sold over 150,000 records and went gold while his second album, ?Confidence?, went platinum after selling over 200,000 copies.

Born in Germany in 31 years ago Gentleman, whose real name is Tilmann Otto, has surpassed any expectations of a reggae artist born in Europe. He has been accepted and celebrated in Jamaica, a place he considers a home away from home, and has worked with artists such as Bounty Killer, Barrington Levy and Anthony B.

After his Bermuda show, he will head to the Red Stripe Reggae SumFest in Montego Bay Jamaica.

?It?s really exciting to have him coming to Bermuda,? Mr. Holmes said. ?A few people have been trying to bring him down but it never seemed to happen.

?When I started planning to bring him down I decided that I wanted to do it right. That included bringing down his band but also his whole team of engineers. We?ll have his people setting the show up, mixing it and doing the light. It will actually be one of the biggest light shows Bermuda has ever seen, it adds to the whole ambience. He will be here with his whole team playing a straight 90 minute set.

?That?s why the tickets are costing a bit more because we are bringing in the whole production. I know $65 is a lot, I am not going to say that it isn?t, but for the quality of what people will get it will be worth it.?

Another thing Mr. Holmes is excited about is featuring local artists Collie Buddz, Flookie and Tiny T, which will all be backed by local reggae band Willie Bounce?s Homegrown.

Collie Buddz, whose real name is Colin Harper, was born and raised in Bermuda and recently signed with Sony Records. A number of his songs have been on the charts in the US and here in Bermuda.

?This will be Collie Buddz first big show as a Sony Records artist in Bermuda,? Mr. Holmes said. ?He will draw so many people that want to see him because his songs are all over the radio now. It?s great that he?ll draw people that may not already know of Gentleman.

?Another big reason to have him is I want Gentleman and the Far East Band to see what he can do. Colin is going to go a long way and it will be great for Gentleman to see him because Colin has a huge potential to be marketed in Europe and Gentleman is pioneering the way for reggae in Europe.?

He also hopes that it will be a good experience for Flookie and Tiny T, both local artists who have yet to be signed to a label.

?Flookie is definitely the sleeping giant on the Island,? Mr. Homes said. ?He?s one of the most talented singer/song writers Bermuda has ever produced. For some reason he hasn?t been on many bills but it?s time for Bermuda to see what he can do. It won?t be long till he is signed.

?As for Tiny T, she?s got the whole package. She can sing and dance and she?s got the looks plus she can drop into dance hall in a second. I definitely want Colin?s management to see her, she?s a hidden gem.?

Unfortunately, the other local act booked, Mango Seed, will not be attending. Mr. Holmes said some personal issues came up that have kept him from being able to perform.

The artists will be backed by one of the youngest and most popular bands on the Island, Willie Bounce?s Homegrown. Comprised of six young Bermudian men, the band has been playing gigs at Docksiders and White Horse this summer.

?Gentleman is one of their musical inspirations so they are really excited to be opening for him,? Mr. Holmes said. ?They have been practising a lot with the artist to make sure everything is right and will be playing some of their own original songs as well.?

There will also be an ?early warm? by Blackstar and in between the various artists SouJAHone and Stalwart will be ?throwing the biggest dubs in their box during a friendly one for one? Mr. Holmes said.

Although this is the first large event 441 Productions will be throwing, Mr. Holmes is not overly concerned about the security aspect.

He believes he is fully prepared and has learned from other events. He has hired a large number of security guards at ?a considerable expense? and will have metal detectors at the event.

Bags will be inspected and people will be ?patted down? to ensure that no weapons or outside alcohol can be brought into the event. There will also be a Police presence in the parking lot.

?I don?t expect there to be violence because culture reggae normally attracts a peaceful crowd,? Mr. Holmes added.

Tickets can be purchased at Jamaican Grill, Music World or Gosling?s on Queen Street as well online at boxoffice.bm. They will also be sold at the door. Tickets purchased in advance of the concert will cost $65 while tickets purchased at the door will be no more than $75.

There will be food provided by Jamaican Grill as well as a vegetarian catering company. Gosling?s will be stocking the 50-foot bar and there will also be a juice bar for people looking for non-alcoholic alternatives. No cameras are allowed into the Mega Tent at Clearwater Beach.

?I got into this because I wanted to bring a bigger, more professional show than what Bermudian audiences have seen before and I wanted to bring an international artist to the Island,? Mr. Homes said. ?This is going to be a show that can?t be missed.?

Doors open at 10 p.m.