Impressions: Machel Montano Takes Over The LargeUp Sessions

Words by LargeUp Crew, Photos by Sherwin Dyer

Machel Montano dropped by Miss Lily’s Variety last night to kick off Labor Day Weekend in NYC with a special edition of The LargeUp Sessions on RadioLily.com. This was no ordinary radio show, though: More like a stage show or a fete. Trinidad’s soca king literally took over our weekly radio program from the moment he stepped in the building, leading singalongs, playing the cowbell on a bottle, and breaking down his new album, The Happiest Man Alive, for the capacity crowd gathered for the M Store Pop-Up Shop. Dozens more who couldn’t get inside lined the streets around Miss Lily’s, watching through the windows.

Words can’t even begin to explain the vibes that ensued from the moment Machel walked in the room. Fortunately, we’ve got pics and audio of the whole thing!

Listen to the full program below, and scroll through for the pics. And look out for our upcoming LargeUp TV webisode featuring Machel in NYC.

Machel Montano meets U.K. electronic music legend Tricky outside Miss Lily’s Variety.

The LargeUp Sessions‘ DJ Jam Central talking soca shop with Machel.

Machel took control of the show from the start, leading crowd singalongs, and nearly giving the crowd a group equivalent of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge after a cooler carrying free refreshments from Guinness was tapped dry.

The room filled up quickly, and mostly with ladies.

Free Guinness, crowd interaction… all radio should be like this.

Trini flag… or towel?

With the crowd spilling out of the store and into the street, some fans had to reach through the window for a moment with Machel.

Machel with the LargeUp Sessions crew DJ Jam Central, DJ Gravy, Jesse Serwer and Kieran Meadows.

After the LargeUp Sessions, things moved over to the Guinness after party at Miss Lily’s 7A, where a wining session commenced.

“Shake like yuh goin mad, show em you just get on bad…”

Trini meets Trini–Machel Montano and Blacka Di Danca.

Machel and DJ Max Glazer.

Di vibes cyan done! Machel and the Miss Lily’s girls put one in the air.

He really is the Happiest Man Alive…Machel we mean, not the guy on the left.