Boom Boom Jets Off To London For 16-Event Tour
As promised weeks ago, Billboard selector Boom Boom has jetted off to the United Kingdom, for his 16-show series, this amid a decision taken by the British Government to extend the COVID restrictions beyond its initial June 21 end date, to July 19.
The protracted restrictions will see nightclubs staying shuttered, and people being asked to continue working from home where possible, According to The Telegraph.
In May, after Jamaica lifted the travel ban on the UK which was instituted as part of the island’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Boom Boom, had told Television Jamaica’s Anthony Miller in an interview, that he was readying himself, because as soon as the UK lifted its COVID lockdown, he would be flying there for an extensive stay, which would see him doing 16 shows there.
On Thursday, as Boom Boom got set to make his journey to the UK, he posted videos of himself on the escalator, apparently at the Norman Manley International Airport, on his way to board the aircraft to London.
“One Year & 3 Months Now We Nuh Fly But My Fans know The Circumstances why! As You Can see, i Got Back My Wings ✈️ Suh i’m OuT Again. London 🇬🇧 England- This is Going To Be a #WorldTour..,” he captioned the post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQMo-f5h4FV/
He shared another of himself in his seat on the aircraft with the caption: “What More Can I do 🙏🏿..✈🇬🇧✈..”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQMxK1EBVaZ/
On Friday, he shared another video telling his fans that he had touched down on British soil.
“Give God Thanks We Land In London…,” he noted.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQO30KYhBOR/
A few weeks ago, the BMW producer had gleefully announced on Instagram that he had received his UK work permit.
He had also shared a poster of the Love my Life Summer Party at the Luxurious Banqueting Hall in West London, set for July 3. The poster, which bore his image, was the first event at which he was supposed to perform, and, according to the organizers, the show would feature “Afrobeats, ‘Bashment’ and R&B” genres.
In May, amid concerns that Jamaica’s entertainment industry would not bounce back until 2022 due to COVID-19, Boom Boom had said during the TVJ interview, that he would be flying to the UK as soon as its borders are fully reopened and would not return to his home country anytime soon.
Boom Boom had also said that he lost a lot of money, having had to refund promoters who had booked him for overseas shows. He also said that prior to COVID-19, he would fly out of the island religiously every weekend, to select at overseas parties.
However, the selector’s plans for the UK, might have been stymied, as this morning The Telegraph reported that England’s current COVID lockdown rules had been extended, as restrictions due to lift on June 21 “will not end until July 19 amid growing alarm at spread of Indian or delta variant”.
The article written by Political Editor, Ben Riley-Smith, said that the Government won the vote to extend lockdown regulations until July 19, “despite backlash from 49 Conservative MP’s who voted against the continuation of measures”.
The author noted that the delay was introduced after data showed that cases of the Indian or Delta variant were rising in the country.
“The variant is now the dominant strain in the UK and the latest scientific analysis suggests the variant is between 40 per cent and 80 per cent more transmissible than other Covid strains,” he wrote.
Riley-Smith also noted that the Government hopes that the extension of lockdown measures will allow more time for people to receive first and second doses of the vaccine to ensure protection against the virus.
“The decision was taken after scientific modelling for the Government suggested a third wave of cases could see hospitalisations hit the peak seen in the first wave. Downing Street is arguing that the four-week delay allows the Government to vaccinate millions more people, with the rollout strategy tweaked in an attempt to maximise protection,” he noted.