There’s something for everyone in Carnival and it’s proven. Skimpy, sensual designs are hot on the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, but when the spirit of a patron resonates more with the music of the season than the costumes, there’s always Blow Mano Blow.
Band leaders, Burt and Dianne Marcellin. Photo: TRG Concepts
The carnival Mas band – a band that honors the late, great musician, Mano Marcellin, heads to the streets of the capital city in Trinidad and Tobago, on Monday, March 3rd, 2025. It’s their fifth time heading out, and in 2024, they won the hearts of the judges at the Queen’s Park Savannah, taking home the title for Most Original band on Carnival Monday. It’s a full-fledged t-shirt band that comes complete with the all-inclusive trimmings- drinks, food and even air-conditioned buses. In addition to that, masqueraders bask in the carnival thrill of a live percussion band, literally on the road.
A taste of the road ready look. Photo: TRG Concepts
The band launch for the 2025 presentation- a tribute to calypsonian, Lord Kitchener, dubbed, ‘Mama Dis Is Mas,’ unfolded at Quties Restaurant and Lounge, on Saturday, September 28th. Four mas sections, ‘Bees Melody, ‘Miss Tourist/Mr Tourist,’ ‘Flag Woman,’ and ‘Sugar Bum Bum,’ were shared with the crowd who came out to party and get a taste of what they can expect on Carnival Monday.
Theatre and arts aficionado, Penelope Spencer. Photo: TRG Concepts
Band leader, Burt Marcellin- the son of Mano Marcellin, maintains that the band’s overall aim is to deliver a traditional and authentic T&T mas option to patrons coming to the island of Fete, Steelpan and Soca. On launch night, music lovers were served a real treat with the live musicianship and vocals of the band, ‘Brass 2 The World.’ Frontline vocalists, Snakey, Sanelle Dempster and KC brought variety, excitement and certainly, vocal prowess to the stage at the One Woodbrook Place entertainment hot spot. Soca artiste, Sekon Sta also hit the stage, adding to the energy and vibes of what was certainly, a festive experience.
The band’s new mas camp is located at 35 French Street, Port of Spain. Last weekend’s unveiling of the band’s costumes proved to be an exciting start to what is expected to be an enjoyable Carnival 2025 season in Trinidad and Tobago.
For more information on Blow Mano Blow Mas, visit their Instagram page @blowmanoblowmastt and Facebook @blowmanoblowmas.
There’s never a dull moment in Caribbean entertainment and we’ve got proof. Trinidad Killa has shared prophecy for the future and he’s calling on his fellow artistes on the music circuit to understand their worth.
The restauranteur and entertainer took a brief moment away from his TK Smokehouse duties to hop on an Instagram Livestream. In his prophesy, the TK, whose real name is Kern Joseph, said he predicts that by 2030 there will no more Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. “You know why? Artistes underselling (day-self). Artistes calling promoters and telling dem, put meh on yh show, put meh on yuh show, put meh on yuh show,” he expressed. The often controversial entertainer alleged that because of this, promoters are not paying artistes to appear on their shows.
He went on, “Carnival become a competition. Once a man have a Road March tune, he poppin’ up in fetes and poppin’ up on shows and performing for free,” he alleged, adding that annually, promoters in Carnival pay the same major artistes for live performances.
Trinidad Killa migrated to the United States some three years ago. He has however remained consistently vocal on the events taking place in his homeland. “Allyuh see what go on with Soca Monarch. There is no more Soca Monarch,” he said, going on to positively highlight this year’s Flava Village addition. “There is so much going on in the carnival. All I would like to say is, artistes, stop under-selling allyuh self and when allyuh learn the value of allyuh artistry, and allyuh stop sell allyuh self short, that is when the industry will start to move.”
Trinidad Killa ended his livestream with the words, “music is a mission, not a competition.”
A phenomenal Carnival 2026 season in Trinidad and Tobago has paved the way for South Oropuche Trinidad’s very own, Christo, increasing his talent value and making him one of the season’s sought after acts. The young entertainer’s ‘Doux Doux Darlin’ refrain has Caribbean people everywhere, singing along, and it’s likely to remain that way, well into the Summer of 2026.
Christo appeared in Toronto, Canada this past weekend, for Return Fete, Toronto. He was not alone. Fellow entertainers, Coutain, Skinny Fabulous, Full Blown and the vibes man himself, Voice, also shook the event, which was hosted at REBELToronto.
Christo (right) with Dr. Jay (centre) and Coutain (left). 📸: @jcrzy
Produced annually by well known Soca DJ, Dr. Jay, the event is touted as the best fete post T&T carnival each year.
In the aftermath of this year’s Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, Christo – a relatively new artiste to the soca spotlight, said the love he received this season was unmatched. He took to social media, writing, “To everyone who streamed the music, requested the songs on radio, shared the content, learned the lyrics, and sang every word back at the shows, I see you, and I appreciate you. The growth this Carnival was undeniable, and it happened because of YOU.”
The young artiste referred to Carnival 2026 as a defining chapter in his journey.
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