Under the arena lights in ‘The World’s Borough’, history unfolded in real time as KestheBand delivered a sold-out, cinematic performance at the 13,000-capacity Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York on June 27th. The Trinbagonian group is the first soca band to ever headline and fully sell out the legendary venue on its acclaimed “Roots, Rock, Soca” Tour – turning one of New York’s most iconic stages into a thunderous celebration of Caribbean sound, culture, and unity.
The achievement marks a defining moment in underscoring the genre’s global reach and the rising influence of soca on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Thousands of fans filled the historic venue – previously graced by other legendary acts such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and The Police – for a night dedicated to Caribbean rhythm, identity, and unity.
The pre-show was hosted by Trinbagonian media personality, Jason “JW” Williams, who got thousands of fans ready as DJ coursed through a medley of Soca hits for the young and the young and heart. For two hours, the audience revelled in the depth and diversity of the Caribbean diaspora with KestheBand, with supporters representing nations across the region and transforming the concert into a collective celebration of Caribbean culture in all its forms. “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 energized audience. New York’s tour stop also featured a series of surprise appearances from some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated artists, 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. Together, the performances highlighted the collaborative spirit of the region and musical excellence of KestheBand.
“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 Angela 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.”
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 historic 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.”
The sold-out performance at Forest Hills stands as a defining milestone in KestheBand’s career and a landmark moment for the global soca movement. More than a concert, the evening served as a cultural statement—affirming Caribbean music’s undeniable contributions to global popular music while remaining rooted in the communities that shaped it.
As the final notes reverberated through Forest Hills Stadium, the message was unmistakable—soca claimed its place in one of the city’s most storied arenas. In that moment, KestheBand stood at the forefront, carrying Caribbean music from the islands to the global stage with undeniable force and purpose.