Colour Me Red and Machel!

Machel Montano is once again ready to set fire to the stage as the headline act at this year’s Colour Me Red on Wednesday, July 10 at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds. It is the third time that the Soca king has participated in the hotly anticipated event. This year he will be joined by the HD family, Nappy, as well as top Soca acts from St Lucia including Teddyson John , Superman HD, Sir Lancelot, Marie-Anne, Toya, and Mysterio. Red Unlimited’s marketing and sponsorship director and event organizer MacNaughton McLean says Montano is rearing to go.

“We spoke with Machel and his team last week and they’re just excited about coming to St Lucia again. He says this is one of the events he thoroughly enjoys performing at and I think that is pretty evident by the fact that the police always have to stop it because Machel will keep going,” he laughed.

McLean acknowledged that the event has truly evolved since it started nine years ago and has become a must on the carnival calendar.

“I think when we started our concept of doing Colour Me Red as the signature fete of Red Unlimited people thought we were crazy. Crazy because when Red Unlimited started there were very few band fetes,” he explained. “There were no activities. You had calypso tent, semi-finals, finals, Queen Show, King and Queen of the Bands, and then the parade, and then each band would probably have a party or two for their revelers. Then Red came around and started this thing of having events leading up to Carnival for revelers to get people in the mood early. In year one when we decided to do Colour Me Red, which is of course an event in collaboration with RCI, everybody said ‘y’all fellas crazy. Who going to come to an event on a Wednesday?’ It has grown to be the biggest event so much so what used to be an indoor fete at Gaiety has grown to the point that it is now outdoors at Beausejour,” McLean concluded.

McLean says the band is very excited about this year’s offering, putting together a show where all the elements of carnival will come together; the costumes, the revelry, the colour, the excitement, and the Soca music. He is also excited about having stalwart members of the band performing including Marie-Anne, Toya, and Mysterio, who they are truly thrilled is getting his due.

“Mysterio has been a member of the band for so long and we have always given him the opportunity to perform. And he is once again going to be on the stage. This year people have really seen the growth of Mysterio and we like to feel we have contributed to his success by having him perform alongside a soca great like Machel Montano.”

Early bird tickets are expected to be exhausted by the weekend, so get yours now. Tickets are available from Radio Caribbean International, Red Unlimited officials and other associated outlets.

VIP is expected to be an all inclusive experience complete with VIP parking, and a separate entrance which will not be as clogged up as the other entrances. Besides free food and drinks, a cocktail bar is a new feature this year specifically for the ladies. The designated VIP area will not be crowded as very few tickets are being sold to create an air of exclusivity. Patrons will also have front of stage access and an elevated platform complete with bistro tables.

The show is slated to begin at 8 p.m.