Machel Montano @ Rotterdam Zomer 2014

MACHEL MONTANO

ROTTERDAM ZOMER CARNIVAL 2014

In 2014 Rotterdam Zomer Carnival celebrates its’ 30th year and how fitting to celebrate this milestone with the high power energy of Soca music and it’s number one star Machel Montano.  Not only is this Machel’s first appearance in Rotterdam, but it is also the Summer Carnival’s first taste of Soca music.

Machel Montano and the HD band was the headline act, between Serigo Mendes and Kool and the Gang. What company to hold!  Machel hit the main stage at 8.30pm on Saturday 19th July to a massive crowd, some say over 50,000 in front the stage. The stage itself is set up in the centre of the city over a huge fountain. The streets are all restricted to pedestrian traffic as the Carnival parade takes over during the day.

The Carnival is a multicultural Carnival with countries from all over the world representing their culture and music. The Caribbean trucks are usually at the end of the parade bringing up the rear with the exciting happy music. The festival organizers say that over the three day festival, a million people take to the streets of Rotterdam, making it the biggest street festival in Europe.

Machel’s ninety minute performance gave this massive crowd a true appreciation of the infectious energy of Soca music. All Caribbean countries were represented with citizens waving their flags proudly every time Machel hailed them out. And the Caribbean people know their music, singing word for word the songs.

Machel proudly waved his Trinidad & Tobago flag during the whole performance so there was no doubt where he was from! The HD dancers were there to show the world how to dance to this music and the crowd followed suit, jumping, dancing, waving for the whole set.

Soca music is poised to make a huge breakthrough as from music industry levels to the streets, Trinidad & Tobago is being watched and we have a lot to share with the world. Our positive happy music brings people together and can be the next music trend. What better way to promote our country? 

We want to thank the festival organizers, Ducos, for bringing Soca music to the main stage.

Our trip to Rotterdam wouldn’t have been possible without the vision of CreativeTT and more especially Donna Chin Lee (chairman) and Stephen Broadridge for seeing the potential and opportunity of positioning our music at this type of event.  We thank also the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Trinidad & Tobago, Mrs. Lucita MoenirAlam, who went beyond her normal duties to have Trinidad & Tobago represent at the Rotterdam Zomer Carnival 2014. And our Ambassador in Brussels, Mrs. Margaret King Rousseau in assuring by her tireless work that Trinidad & Tobago culture is well represented in Europe. Also special thank you to Junior Sammy Group of Companies for special sponsorship provided for the M.O.R tour to Rotterdam.

Prepared by Lorraine O’Connor

Photos Courtesy Jermaine Cruckshank

Produced by Antonio Shortte