Kes the Band brought the sunshine and soca to Monterey, California last weekend as the band of brothers performed at the 12th edition of the California Roots Music and Arts Festival. The annual music festival was produced by Good Vibez Presents.
Held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in the quaint and cosy coastal town on the west coast of the US, the four-day festival featured an eclectic range of performers, creatives, merchandisers, visual artists and restaurateurs amongst thousands of music-loving fans and patrons, said a media release from Overtime Media.
[caption id="attachment_1019179" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Patrons enjoy the sweet sounds of soca from Kes The Band. -[/caption]
Challenged with the task of introducing soca for the first time live on the main stage after an overcast morning (with temperatures dipping into the 12-14-degree C range on day three), Kes wasted no time in delivering their unique blend of Carnival energy. Enhanced with catchy hooks, conscious lyrics and cool Caribbean melodies, slang and fun references, the band delivered infectious songs like Hello, Falling, People, Jub Jub and Wotless. As soca music reverberated throughout the spacious, well organised venue, the music-loving, marijuana-indulgent, recycle-friendly audience soon gathered in the main bowl to experience the Trini music they had only heard mentioned and described previously.
“It’s shows like these that make the Carnival circuit fun,” said lead singer Kees Dieffenthaller minutes before taking the stage. “I like when it’s a new crowd and they’re not familiar with the music, so we get to teach them first and see how they react and respond and just have fun with it.
“This venue is rooted in music history as the stage where Jimi Hendrix burnt his guitar, and the town itself is famous for hosting so many great festivals and even being the precursor to Woodstock and that whole freedom movement. So it’s an honour to be included on the CaliRoots cast and we’re happy to be the first to represent for soca out here also.”
[caption id="attachment_1019180" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Music lovers enjoying the performance of Kes The Band at the California Roots Music and Arts Festival. -[/caption]
Churning the captivated audience into a sea of swirling rags and flags, Kees commanded hands to wave left and right and received immediate compliance, so much so that even percussionist Robbie Persaud got in on the action and directed one side of the assembly in a contest, with the eventual result being a united show. Maintaining the conscious vibe of the festival while adding a slice of Carnival energy, Kes delivered on the promise of soca.
“It’s all about the vibe, you know,” said Good Vibez Presents founder Dan Sheehan in an interview with Overtime Media. “We always want to showcase new music and talent, but it has to fit the vibe and fit into flow of the day. Kes is a perfect example because we know that Kes deserves a later slot on the card – like that’s where they should be, because they’re awesome! But t
