Ebuzz News
Machel Montano’s Road is Clear. The Stage is Set for Monday Madness.
After a stellar concert performance last week Friday at the Brian Lara Cricket academy, Machel Montano’s upcoming appearance in North, Trinidad, is highly anticipated by soca fans. The entertainer who’s been in the business for over 30 years, brought the house down at MEGA last weekend, showing the world that he remains a powerhouse in the Soca music business.
Montano, along with a supporting cast that included, Pumpa out of the USVI, Lady Lava, Chutney Soca Queen, Drupati, Skinny Fabulous, Voice, Yung Bredda, and Full Blown, among others, enticed soca fans in a major way, unleashing pure energy and vibes at an event that brought out a massive audience from the Southland and surrounding areas.
Mobile phone recording by patrons, a bit of a sour point at fetes for some time now, Montano urged fans to put away their devices just as he started his set. Dressed in yellow, and drenched in ice, the soca superstar delivered an unmistakably seamless set of songs that included ‘Like A Boss,’ ‘Fast Wine,’ ‘Bet Meh’ and of course, his Road March contender for 2025, ‘Pardy.
MONDAY MADNESS IS COMING
The mecca of the dominant carnival force on the planet, remains Trinidad and Tobago. Now, as the season’s prevalence captivates fun-seekers around the globe, one promotional team is adamant that the events on the Carnival calendar must stand up to the expectations of the masses.
The Johnny Q Sound Company will deliver one of the biggest events in this season, on Monday, February 24th at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. Monday Madness is set to showcase the largest cast of Soca stars this season, with a headlining performance by the King of Soca himself, Machel Montano. “There is a certain kind of energy that carnival should invoke. We’re not saying it’s missing completely, but a void has been filled with the inclusion of White Oak Monday Madness, one week before Carnival Monday,” said a rep for Johnny Q.
A well-known event promoter and music facilitator across the Caribbean, this is no new venture for the outfit. “Soca music is in our DNA as Trinbagonians. What we want to deliver to those visiting the country in 2025, is a true expression of who we are as Trinbagonians, at the Oval on Monday, February 24th. We’re working with Machel and the Monk Band, Patrice Roberts, Lyrikal, Nadia Batson, Road March King, Mical Teja, Ravi B, Nailah Blackman, Skinny Fabulous, Voice, and a long list of artistes, to present something that the people have not seen or experienced in a while, in T&T,” he said.
Tickets already going extremely fast, the event will cater to every pocket with three zones offered- General, Stage Front and Big Truck VIP. “The Big Truck Party Zone with its elevated deck and mix and mingle area is catering to committees and their die-hard supporters. Kairi People, Vale Vibe, Bayside Events, Bayview, Event Locker Gateway to the World along with Monday Madness VIP, can be contacted directly for those tickets and they can also be purchased online at islandetickets.com. The prices range from $850 to $1500. The $850 tickets are food inclusive, with a cash bar, but the $1500 tickets are fully all inclusive,” said the event spokesperson.
Patrons will have an exclusive entrance to that area, VIP washrooms and enough space to party comfortably.
The stage front tickets, which are $600, offer an up-close and personal view of the artistes on stage. With doors opening at 7pm, the event is billed as one of, if not, the biggest carnival blockbuster fete this season. “Our products and our delivery in carnival as event organizers, are really and truly the advertisement for the carnivals that will follow. We have to ensure that tourists coming to carnival, are met with the best feting experiences so that they’ll tell the world about what they felt while they were here. We can’t drop the ball, not even for one season and as a promo outfit, we do not take that responsibility lightly. Monday Madness will deliver an over-the-top feting experience in 2025 because we want the world to come back again and again,” emphasized the spokesperson.
This year the company is introducing a band of musicians that they’ve taken tremendous pride in building and investing in. “The Evolution Band has been working diligently to make their presence felt and they will be on stage at Monday Madness. The team comprises a number of young, talented musicians who are set to make a mark in the entertainment industry this year.” Added to that, The A Team Band will also hit the stage, bringing their musical strength to the Queen’s Park Oval with artistes everyone will enjoy.
The stage is set for one of the most thrilling carnival fetes, the world has ever experienced, promised the event organizer. “The energy surrounding this fete is out of this world already. We’re guaranteeing a secure and unforgettable night at Monday Madness. This is your ticket to amplify the thrill leading up to carnival week.”
Online tickets at islandetickets.com, have been selling very well and it’s anticipated that there will be an influx of carnival chasers, entering the Oval on Monday, February 24th.
Information on the event is available online @mondamadnesstt on Instagram and Facebook.
Ebuzz News
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.