The Garifuna Collective's 25 city North American Tour – which started in June is winding down with a run through the West Coast of the United States.
The Collective played a free concert in Los Angeles' McArthrur Park this afternoon – where, surely, a large contingent of Belizeans came out.
Tour organizer Ivan Duran told us how much it means to see that flag in the audience:
Ivan Duran - Producer, "AYO", Garifuna Collective
"A lot of Belizeans went to the show last night in San Francisco - the place was almost packed and also today in LA we're expecting a huge crowd, it's a free concert at the Mcarter Park, we're expecting a lot of Belizeans coming to the show. The special performances and the tour have a special effect on the musicians on stage. Every time there's a Belizean on stage, the crowd and the Belizean flag - it just, something happens to the musicians on stage that makes it a much more special evening. The people that have seen the band have been discovering this new sound that the band is bringing and it's a new departure for Belizean music and Garifuna music. This is what Andy left; the band is carrying the torch and taking Belizean music to a whole new level. It's definitely the most ambitious tour ever and I think the band is holding up really well, they understand the challenges and they understand that it's more than just a band - it's representing a whole country."
After LA – the group heads up to Portland where they are headlining a festival – and then they return home on Sunday. They will launch the album, "Ayo" in Belize next week – and then prepare for the end of September when they embark on a major European tour where they will play all the major capitals: London, Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Amsterdam and Brussels.
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