-lands residency at the legendary Apollo Theater, massive arena show at London’s Notting Hill Carnival

FRESH from his sold-out performances at Barbados’ Crop Over celebrations earlier this month, reigning Calypso Monarch and soca superstar, Machel Montano, will begin a series of high-profile performances in London and New York City, culminating in a four-night residency at Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater.

This exciting tour kicks off in the UK on August 23rd where, for the first time in eight years, Montano will perform, backed by his full live band and dancers, at Tipsy Dreamland during Notting Hill Carnival celebrations inside the legendary OVO Arena Wembley. This is the first all-soca arena show in London featuring an incredible lineup of soca superstars – Bunji Garlin, Alison Hinds, Skinny Fabulous, Fay-Ann Lyons, and Mical Teja.

From London, Montano heads to New York where, on August 25, the iconic artiste will receive the Entertainer’s Key to the City, bestowed by the Mayor of New York, in conjunction with the Rise Up NYC Concert Series and The Apollo. Montano will headline the free concert ceremony and celebration on that day, at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York.

His Apollo residency will take place over the US Labour Day weekend from August 30 to September 2, in an historic series of concerts featuring special guests.

“It has been my lifelong dream to play at the Apollo Theater, one of the most iconic and legendary entertainment venues in the world. Its rich history and tradition, not to mention the enduring connections between the Harlem community and the Caribbean, make this an incredible honour for me,” Montano said.

Montano, who added another major title to his decorated career in music by winning the 2024 TUCO Calypso Monarch competition in February, said his Apollo residency reflects the continued growth and increased appeal of calypso and soca to play to large audiences and fill major event spaces.

“This will be my first performance at The Apollo. We have performed and sold out Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and similarly the UBS Arena in Long Island and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. When I think of the many careers that began on The Apollo stage, how it has welcomed some of the world’s greatest performers, I am very excited to join that great legacy and tradition and showcase our music,” he said.

A special edition collection of memorabilia designed by Hip-Hop artist, Trinidad James, will be available exclusively at The Apollo.

To close out this residency, on Labour Day (Monday September 2), the reigning Calypso Monarch will perform as a cast member of TUCO’s “Calypso Uptown, A Carnival Celebration” concert. The show will feature performances by Lord Nelson, Rikki Jai, Mical Teja, Gypsy, Farmer Nappy, Lyrikal, Kurt Allen, Crazy, Myron B and more. It will be hosted by Majah Hype and Dahved Levy.

Montano said he was looking forward to reconnecting with calypso and soca fans in London and New York and being part of the carnival celebrations in both cities.

“The Caribbean and Caribbean people have played an important role in the development of these major cities, and we have gifted our Carnival and cultural expressions to them. I am proud to contribute to this legacy.” (Loop News)