With record-breaking attendance in major metropoles from London to Los Angeles, the tour reaffirms the Caribbean band’s cultural legacy as a generational music force.
KestheBand Lead Vocalist, Kees Dieffenthaller, thanks thousands of fans during the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour at the band’s sold-out show at the Forest Hills Stadium in New York.
8 July 2026 – Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – KestheBand has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, KestheBand continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
KestheBand’s Frontman, Kees Dieffenthaller, serenades the sold-out audience at the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada to conclude the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean James on drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mang on keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores KestheBand’ continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Soca is joy: these fans could barely contain their excitement at the closing show of KestheBand’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour stop in Toronto, Canada.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, KestheBand is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for KestheBand on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, KestheBand continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
KestheBand is made up of:
KEES DIEFFENTHALLER – LEAD VOCALS
GEIRON MANG – KEYBOARDS
DEAN JAMES – DRUMS
ROBERT “ROBBIE STYLES” PERSAUD – ABELTON
JON DIEFFENTHALLER – GUITAR
RIAD BOOCHOON – BASS
MARIO CALLENDER – KEYBOARDS
RAVEIEL PARRIS – MONITOR ENGINEER
NIGEL BRIZAN – FOH
COREY PASCALL – STAGE ENGINEER
JARROD FARIA – TOUR MANAGER
KRISHNA LAKHEERAM – DRUM TECHNICIAN
GARIAN FLEMMING – LIGHTING ENGINEER
SHARSON BOODOO – STAGE ENGINEER
JONATHAN HIRST – VIDEO / PHOTOGRAPHY
DAMON DEGRAFF – MANAGER
EVAN VOGEL – MANAGER
