A host of internationally famous soul artists will be playing this year's first Bermuda Neo Soul, the Ministry of Tourism revealed yesterday.

The line-up includes Grammy Award nominee Angie Stone, Grammy Award winning gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, Cameo, Bilal, Tanto Metro and Devonte, Kevin Lyttle, T.C., Super P, Red Plastic Bag, and Krosfiyah.

Tourism Minister David Allen yesterday said bookings for the Neo Soul Festival, which runs over the Cup Match holiday, are good enough so far to justify the Ministry of Tourism continuing to fund the event next year.

Actor Shemar Moore, of ‘The Young and the Restless' and ‘Soul Train' fame, will host the showpiece Neo Soul concert on August 3 at North Village Field.

“I am confident already that even if we didn't get one more booking, we have enough bookings to justify the event for next year,” said Mr. Allen.

The event is being organised by local promoters Treble Clef Productions, Love Alive Ministries, Somerset Cricket Club, IMS, and Cup Match Extravaganza in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.

So far, 500 people from overseas have bought complete packages of flights, hotels, and festival tickets.

“This will bring visitors and Bermudians together to inter-act, it is people to people tourism. We want visitors to interact with Bermudians and vice-versa,” said Mr. Allen.

Mr. Allen said he was delighted the Neo Soul Festival had come together so quickly as it was only conceived earlier this year. Normally these events have run-in times of more than a year, he said.

For the second year running, a festival of entertainment, the Cup Match Extravaganza, will run during Cup Match.

The entertainment kicks off on the eve of Cup Match when Donnie McClurkin will perform in Bermuda for the first time.

Also on July 31, a Soca Explosion will be held at White Hill Field, Somerset, featuring local performers Legacy, Ronnie McIntosh, Red Plastic Bag, Super P, Rupee, TC, Edwin Yearwood, Binji Garlin, Krosfiyah from Barbados, and Atlantik from Trinidad.

On August 2, following the cricket classic, the Cup Match Extravaganza begins featuring local artists Prestige, Gita Blakeney, and Legacy, and international stars Tanto Metro and Devonte.

The celebrations will culminate in the Neo Soul Festival itself on August 3 at North Village Field, featuring local stars Jahstice, Angie Stone, Bilal, Jaguar Wright, and Cameo.

Mr. Allen said Tourism was happy to partner with local promoters and artists if they could provide top quality events such as the Neo Soul Festival which bring in more visitors.

Tickets for the Neo Soul Festival events are $50 and are available from 27th Century Boutique and Soundstage.