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
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
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