(Courtesy: @kesthebandofficial/ Instagram)
This weekend Toronto was met with pure island vibes, not only with the 30 degree weather but soca music filled the city on Saturday when Kes the Band took over the stage.
The Trinidadian soca icon, Kes performed at the RBC Amphitheatre on July 4, the last show of the band’s North American “Roots, Rock, Soca Tour”.
“We really brought home base with us, and you know, Toronto is home base. As much as it is in Toronto, it is very much our core fan base. So it was so fitting to end the tour in Toronto,” Kes told The Brandon Gonez Show.
Kes shares the sentiment he feels when performing in Toronto, mentioning that he has even recorded some songs in the city.
“We’ve been coming here every year since like, 2002. So you know it’s a place that has supported us, you know, even sometimes when you wouldn’t feel like you’re getting support at home,” he shares.
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Kes the Band is known for their hit songs “Wotless”, “Savannah Grass” and “Hello” and has become one of the most popular soca artists, building a global fanbase.
Soca music is becoming a highly popular genre in countries across the world and is popularly played at Caribbean carnivals, parties and fetes.
Kes noted that the group aims to broaden their appeal and expand beyond the traditional carnival atmosphere, with the goal of making soca music accessible and enjoyable for new audiences.
“I find it so important to bring the soca culture outside of the carnival to sort of get people to know that, hey, listen, yes, it’s for the season of carnival, but it’s also for the whole year too,” he said.
Kes’ latest song “Masterpiece” with Jamaican record producer and singer Di Genius, one of many songs created on the Hill & Gully dancehall riddim, has been gaining popularity.
This isn’t the first time Kes jumped onto a dancehall rhythm and he explains why it is important for him to explore not only soca, but also dancehall, reggae and other Caribbean rooted genres.
“Exploring the Caribbean and the songs of the Caribbean is part of my responsibility and also just part of my joy,” said Kes.
Kes shares that fans can expect more tours to be announced in the future as well as a new album that is in the works.
