KestheBand marks milestone with sold-out NY show

History was made at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on June 27 when KestheBand performed to a sold-out crowd at the 13,000-capacity venue as part of its ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ tour. The concert marked a significant milestone for the Trinbagonian group and for soca music at one of New York’s most established concert venues.

The venue has previously hosted major acts including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and The Police.

Following a pre-show hosted by Trinbagonian media personality Jason ‘JW’ Williams, with a DJ playing soca favourites for the crowd, KestheBand took the stage for a two-hour performance.

“Tonight is a testament that the world needs more soca music because we need more love, and soca is love,” said frontman Kees Dieffenthaller to the energised audience. New York’s tour stop also featured a series of surprise appearances from some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated artistes, including Barbados’ Edwin Yearwood, Haiti’s J Perry, Trinidad and Tobago industry heavyweights Lady Lava, chutney crooner Ravi B, pannist Dane Gulston, and Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Angela Hunte.

“As someone whose music has always celebrated the homeland bridge between Trinidad and Tobago and New York, it is always an honour to support this band, especially in one of this city’s most iconic venues,” said Hunte, widely known for co-writing Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys and Jay Z.

“They made a powerful cultural statement about unity, excellence, and how far Caribbean music continues to go when we come together,” she added.

In a powerful tribute to New York City, Kes Dieffenthaller took the stage wearing a custom New York Knicks jersey featuring the number 12 on the front and his name on the back – an ode to Hall of Famer and NBA Champion Dick Barnett, and homage to the city that has long embraced Caribbean culture that helped elevate soca and his career on the global stage.

“Witnessing so much joy firsthand was extraordinary and so needed in these times,” said Guyanese influencer Sam Ramcharitar, who was present for the occasion. “We’re really proud of Kes for not just headlining a legendary venue, but for showing the world during Caribbean American Heritage Month that soca music deserves to be on the world’s biggest stages while still fully belonging to us.”

entertainment@gleanerjm.com