SumFest is known for starting on time, and at exactly 10:00 a.m. on July 7, DJ K9 kicked off the festivities. While the space was still empty of participants, vendors and organizing staff were already hard at work. As the crowd gradually arrived, DJs Bullet, Ted Bounce, Valmix, and Mr. Mario took turns on the stage. Every shady spot was quickly occupied. It wasn't until Trouble Boy's performance that the crowd surged forward, gathering close to the stage. Before the native of Cap-Haïtien performed, SumFest MCs Carel Pèdre, Anderson Brégard, and Kako Bourgolly had been urging the crowd to move closer, but to no avail. Adjusting the lineup proved wise; originally scheduled for around 2:15 p.m., Trouble Boy's performance, delayed by nearly two hours, hit the audience like a powerful wave, with energy levels soaring. Tafa Mi Soleil joined him on stage for a time.

At the beginning of the show, all the invited Haitian female singers, including Jee-Jee, Kanis, Tafa Mi-Soleil, and Fatima, performed early in the afternoon and did a commendable job. Jee-Jee delivered a medley of popular songs before performing her first and only hit to date, "Moun pa kriye pou moun ankò," dressed in a carefully chosen, colorful, and eye-catching outfit. Kanis, who has quietly amassed several hits like "M pa konn anyen," "Vèvè lokal," and "Pitit tè a," was joined on stage by her sister for a cover of "Soweto" and by J-Perry for "Kòman w fè dous konsa." Despite the sun, the few dozen fans gathered in front of the stage during her performance responded positively.