Ebuzz News
Archived: T&T On a World-Wind Publicity Tour As Foreign Media Get The Soca Scoop & More
From Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons’ trip to Austin, Texas where they’ve performed at the SXSW Music Festival to news on TMZ on the experience of a couple NFL football players’ carnival first time, Trinidad and Tobago is making headway into mainstream news overseas. This past week, Rollingstone magazine online captured the essence of Bunji and Fay Ann’s delivery of soca music at the South By South West Music Festival.
ROLLING STONE
[box color=”gray” icon=”star”]”Carnival — the pre-Lenten blowout held around the world — came to an end nearly two weeks ago, but crossover star Bunji Garlin used his two SXSW appearances to bring the music and energy of Trinidad up to Austin, twice leading fans old and new through a shout-alongs of his triumphant 2013 hit “Differentology.” “I’m honored to be one of the first two Soca artists to perform at this festival,” he told the crowd at Rice and Peas’ Wednesday day party. The other? His wife, Fay-Ann Lyons, who followed Bunji’s performance with a few songs of her own, whipping the small crowd into such a frenzy that the speakers began to wobble and the stability of the Empire Auto back patio seemed in question.”[/box]
For years, the efforts of artistes like Machel Montano and countless others who’ve been flying the T&T flag in destinations across the globe, seemed futile, in some instances with only a little headway being made but now, the hard work of every artiste out of T&T, music producers and even DJ’s, particularly those who push the music hard in these territories, is paying off. People are becoming curious and the world is zooming in. Bunji Garlin, expressing his feelings some time ago via Instagram, begged his fans to avoid saying that this was all because of his efforts and his music, instead reminding them that many who had gone before him, had paved the way for what was happening. Indeed, he was right. Calypsonians like the Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, David Rudder and countless others fought the hard fight for Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to be exposed to the world and while it didn’t happen immediately, they too are now living to see the offspring of Calypso make its mark on the universe.
Host, promoter, Band leader and more… Giselle The Wassi One is calling for the influencers to be mindful of carnival’s evolution.
On the issue of carnival- the main stage for Soca music, ETCETERABUZZ.COM in a recent chat with Gisselle The Wassi One Blanche, noted the passion felt by this true carnival ambassador for the little things that make T&T’s carnival the “Greatest Show On Earth.” She lamented that the influencers of the festival need to be careful of the direction in which they are taking the festival, for fear of losing the authenticity of T&T’s carnival. She said she feared that very soon public fetes or grassroots fetes like Fire Fete, WASA and even Army Fete, would be no more- this as replicas of foreign styled parties continue to pop up on the festival calendar.
One may say this is all a part of the evolution of the festival but according to Wassi, segregation is felt when this is done and this she says, is a dangerous and unfair trend that does not depict the true essence of carnival. The Miami native who is the daughter of Trinidadian parents also called on the artistes to be mindful of the local industry, saying that pricing or overpricing is hurting the grassroots events. She said artistes need to remember that this is the said audience who essentially made most of them who they are today.
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Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
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