Over two decades ago, a young Kees Dieffenthaller and his bandmates touched down in Toronto for their first international gig—a modest boat ride party on the city’s harbor.
Fast forward to last Saturday, and a seasoned, world-class Kes The Band returned to Toronto, not to play a boat fete, but to sell out the iconic Budweiser Stage in front of more than 16,000 fans, marking a landmark moment for soca music on a global platform.
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“It was really amazing to come back to that city, starting from a boat ride to, 20-something years later, selling out Budweiser Stage,” Kees reflected. “It’s a testament to growth and constant, constant work. I give thanks.”
But the night wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a cultural revolution. The nearly three-hour performance became a celebration of Caribbean identity and unity, with the music of Trinidad and Tobago echoing across one of Canada’s largest venues.
“This was years of work and years of dreaming,” Kees said. “We built this one foot in front of the other. This moment belongs to all of us.”
A Dream Realized
Partnering with Live Nation, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies, Kes The Band spent years building momentum through sold-out shows in smaller North American venues. Saturday’s concert at Budweiser Stage proved that soca’s audience is not only growing—it’s stadium-sized.
“This really was a dream come true,” Kees said. “We always imagined ourselves as the bridge between our culture and the rest of the world.”
Kees also recently received a Cultural Impact Award from Trinidad and Tobago’s Consul General in Toronto, a rare formal recognition of soca’s growing influence on the world stage.
“Being recognised for cultural impact still feels surreal,” Kees admitted. “I’m still learning how to bring our culture to the world and break down barriers. But this is fuel for the mission—to teach the world how to soca.”
Unity Across the Caribbean
Kees made it clear this was not just his victory. The Budweiser Stage became a canvas for a powerful Caribbean showcase, featuring a star-studded lineup that spanned generations and islands.
Among the performers were calypso legend David Rudder, three-time Soca Monarch Voice (Aaron St. Louis), King of Steam Yung Bredda (Akhenaton Lewis), St. Lucian crooner Teddyson John, and Jamaican reggae star Tessanne Chin, winner of The Voice Season 5—all of whom have collaborated with Kees.
“I wanted the stage to reflect the Caribbean in its full beauty,” Kees explained. “From veterans to youth, from our T&T roots to the other islands, everyone who touched that stage helped tell the story.”
Ravi B’s Groundbreaking Moment
A defining point of the night came when Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar) took the spotlight, introducing chutney soca to the Budweiser Stage for the first time.
“I cannot not mention Ravi B,” Kees said proudly. “That was the first time chutney soca hit Budweiser Stage. He made that statement, and I was eternally grateful to be the conduit.”
For Ravi, the moment was deeply personal.
“Honestly… goosebumps,” Ravi said, still moved by the experience. “I was thinking of all the generations before me. This was for the Indo-Caribbean community, for T&T, for every fan who kept chutney soca alive. It was bigger than me.”
Despite a swirl of nerves backstage, Ravi commanded the stage as the crowd sang along to Rum Is Meh Lover and Jep Sting, waving flags and dancing in a celebration of cultural pride.
“To share that moment with Kees was an honor,” Ravi said. “This wasn’t just about me—it proved chutney soca belongs on global stages.”
Soca’s New Frontier
For Kees, the true breakthrough was seeing new audiences stepping into soca’s world.
“There are people who love soca but don’t always go to fetes or backyard parties. But when you bring soca to a place like Budweiser Stage—where they feel comfortable—they’re more willing to take that chance,” he said.
That chance often becomes a lifelong love.
“I think a lot of people will take a deep dive into our culture after this,” Kees smiled. “That’s the mission—to be the first introduction, to lead people on their journey to discover Caribbean music and identity.”
As Kes The Band continues to blaze trails, the Budweiser Stage concert stands as a defining chapter in soca’s expanding story—a story of growth, unity, and the unstoppable rhythm of Caribbean culture.
