Bunji Garlin takes flight while on stage at Machel Monday.
PHOTO: Jermaine Cruickshank

The Soca leaders weren’t left out either. Bunji Garlin, while not advertised, walked on stage, sending the crowd wild as Montano started last year’s collaborative hit, “Buss Head.” He would later tell the audience that there is nothing but love and mutual respect between he and Garlin, calling him a fellow King of Soca. Destra Garcia who Machel dubbed a Queen was also given a space to shine at Machel Monday. Her ankle now seemingly stronger, the artiste many revere as one of a handful of powerful soca vocalists, delivered masterfully. She started off with ‘Soca Family’ before calling Machel on stage, telling him that she wanted to sing for him. Destra had been introduced by Nadia Batson but when the time came, Nadia returned for their collaborative 2018 song, “Now (No One Waiting)” which was well received by the crowd.

Machel and SuperBlue on stage at machel Monday 2018.
PHOTO: Pistachio Photography

Later Fay Ann Lyons would grace the Machel Monday stage for the first time. She was given a pretty huge introduction by Montano who reminded the crowd that Fay Ann remains the female with the highest number of Road March wins. They gave the crowd a pretty good show together and of course, her father, the man Montano credited as the real King of Soca, Austin ‘SuperBlue’ Lyons, returned for what would be an epic end to the Machel Monday 2018 experience. Their collaborative 2018 Road March contender, “Soca Kingdom” was driven into the psyche of every attendee, no doubt, giving the tune the oomph it required heading to the Carnival Monday and Tuesday merriment next week.

Fay Ann Lyons was introduced to the Machel Monday stage for the first time.
PHOTO: Jermaine Cruickshank.