Michael Brun gives fans finest Bayo yet with 3-night spectacle marking 10th year
Michaël Brun's Bayo music tour turned 10 with its most ambitious celebration yet — three nights of shows that brought together music, culture and community in a sold-out finale. The post Michael Brun gives fans finest Bayo yet with 3-night spectacle marking 10th year appeared first on The Haitian Times.
Black News 
BROOKLYN — From the moment attendees entered the Brooklyn Paramount for Bayo, Michaël Brun’s signature celebration of Haitian music and culture, they stepped into an immersive cultural experience.
To mark the 10th anniversary of Bayo, vibrant stage design inspired by Caribbean architecture, particularly the historic traditions of Jacmel, conveyed the feeling of being in the tropics. Haitian food vendors, including Bon Pâtés, served traditional patties in the lobby. Throughout the venue, Haiti’s blue-et-rouge flags waved.
Before the first show opened Thursday evening, Brun told The Haitian Times he wanted the 3-night residency to be his best yet.
“You are getting the most refined version of Bayo in 10 years over three days” he promised. “Every single day is going to be a unique night.”
Going by the reaction of the thousands of attendees from June 25-27, the Haitian-Guyanese DJ and producer succeeded. Inside the theatre, in the streets and across social media, fans of Brun gushed as each surprise artist or guest – among them Haitian striker Wilson Isidor – arrived on stage.
Across the three nights, Brun welcomed more than 140 guest artists and celebrities, with each evening offering a different experience representing the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America and beyond. Brun said he intentionally designed each night in this way.
“It started just purely out of vibes,” Brun said. “There was never a plan. There was never a blueprint.”
Remaining intentionally flexible has allowed Brun to evolve from restaurants and bars to theatres, festival stages and, now, the Brooklyn Paramount. Throughout, he said the festival’s purpose has remained the same: Creating a place where people celebrate community while sharing cultures with one another.
Explaining that Bayo means “to give” in Haitian Creole, Brun said the idea for the show extends beyond the music itself.
“The core of Bayo is the community,” he said. “You get to plant a seed, and it grows into a tree.”
This year’s celebration carried significance with Haiti’s return to the FIFA World Cup, Brun added, as the sports tournament is an opportunity to bring together different countries, cultures and stories – as music does.
Here’s a visual recap of the three nights of Bayo.
Three nights in Brooklyn to remember
Thursday’s featured artists included Vanessa Désir, J. Perry, Steves J. Bryan, Kes the Band, Nickenson Prud’homme, Gardy Girault and Paul Beaubrun. Friday highlighted Haitian women in music with performances by Riva Nyri Précil and Rutshelle Guillaume. The evening also featured Jessie Woo, Lunise of RAM, Sabine Blaizin and Sarina Desir.
Saturday’s sold-out finale continued the tradition of surprise appearances, bringing together musicians, athletes and cultural figures. Throughout the evening, visual tributes to Haitian history complemented the performances. A towering representation of Haitian revolutionary figure Toussaint Louverture carrying the Haitian flag appeared onstage, reinforcing the festival’s celebration of Haitian identity and resilience.
Giving beyond the stage
Reflecting on Bayo’s first decade, Brun said the festival’s greatest impact extends beyond the stage. Over the years, Bayo has helped foster artistic careers, friendships and lasting relationships while inspiring people to express their connection to the festival through creative works.
Fans have created artwork, custom clothing and other tributes inspired by the festival, while others have found friendships, launched artistic careers, reconnected with family members and even met future spouses through the community Bayo has built.
Bayo is also committed to giving back, beyond the performances. A portion of ticket sales supports community development, education and music initiatives in Haiti, Brun said, and a foundation established in honor of his late mother.
As Saturday evening’s show drew to a close, the celebration transitioned into its signature rara procession. Musicians playing vaksen horns and drums led performers and audience members into the streets, as waves of people stepped out of the theatre with their Haitian flags — and culture – raised high and proud.
The post Michael Brun gives fans finest Bayo yet with 3-night spectacle marking 10th year appeared first on The Haitian Times.
