Ebuzz News
Archived: Fay Ann Shares 5 ‘Must Adopt’ Recession Tips!
Fay-Ann Lyons may be a lot of things but these days, she’s being pretty straight up… well, come to think about it, that’s nothing new. The Viqueen’s been quiet post carnival, after rushing home on Carnival Tuesday to bubble the most sumptuous Caribbean pot for her hubby- showing off her wifely skills, no doubt. She came in for high commendation for that move and we know Lyons-Alvarez isn’t about to stop when it comes to dishing out those divine meals. The ‘Raise’ singer has been in a pondering mood recently though. Seems like she’s thinking a lot about what’s happening around her, and there’s certainly good reason to.
Bunji got home on Carnival Tuesday to this!
Trinidad and Tobago, like many other countries around the world, is facing economic hardship. This past Carnival many people opted out of attending every fete, scaling their choices down to a couple of their favourite events. Some even opted out of playing mas this year, clearly a sign of the times. A number of fetes were cancelled- one of them, Fantasy’s fete, a huge surprise. Lyons-Alvarez, a mom, wife and artiste, in an Instagram post today, told fans, “Life is tough … The ones that make it look easy either work harder and sacrifice a lot more than you think, or have great acting skills. Find you!”
With all this talk about ‘a looming recession’ in T&T, we decided to get Fay-Ann’s top 5 tips on how to better economise in the kitchen. She was more than happy to share her personal methods with us, even revealing that she’s been working on a project that will eventually show people how to cook like country people do, so that you’re able to cook with less and save more.
FAY-ANN’S ECONOMIZING TIPS:
- Cook more at home. Order Less take out and dine out less. “You get more food that can last for a longer time when you cook at home. You also save on vehicular gas and you get to spend time with your family.”
- Prepare your food in advance. Choose your least busy day and season all meats, cut up vegetables and freeze. “For busy moms, this will help. Also, try cooking at odd hours. I’ve been known to get up and cook at 1am, before 7am flights.”
- Read product labels more. Look at the shelf life of items. “Canned goods have longer shelf life than packaged goods like dry peas etc. It may be a little less healthy honestly, but when it comes to saving, it may be better. Canned goods are also better when it comes to storage because ‘weebles’ (pantry pests) can’t get into the cans”
- Stop doing small grocery shopping (message grocery as she called it). “In the country we say making message, (chuckles). People need to try to put their budget together in a way that allows them to buy their bulk grocery items once a month. Save the money and go in the grocery and buy the essentials once a month. During the month you can buy small portions of fruit and vegetables. The money stretches more.”
- Plan your meals. “If you plan your meals, it’s possible to cook on a budget and cook healthy and make sure your family is well fed. We go to the high end restaurants and order grilled chicken, vegetables and pasta, when in reality we can cook these things at home. We just need to plan our meals.”
Fay Ann’s daughter, Syri gets in on the kitchen action.
Having grown up in in the South, Lyons -Alvarez understands what it means to save a dollar. She says in the country, people understand the importance of re-using left over food, making a fresh pot of food with items from the day before. ” We have to be creative with food. Be innovative,” she said, excitedly telling us that she’s working on this project that will bring some light to this subject and other cooking related things, when it’s unveiled.
Music News
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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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