Antigua and Barbuda (May 2, 2019) – Grammy Nominated Artist and soca King of the World, Machel Montano joins forces with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the United Nations and Norway to combat plastic pollution.
The Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua’s newest, luxury resort nestled on turquoise blue waters on the northern side of the island is the backdrop for today’s press conference announcing the ‘Play it Out’ concert. The star-studded, global event is to be held in Antigua on June 1 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honorable Gaston Browne; Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Hon. Molwyn Joseph; and Minister of Sports, Culture, National Festivals and the Arts, the Honorable Daryll Matthew welcome special guest, and friend to Antigua and Barbuda, Machel Montano as one of the headliners at the upcoming ‘Play it Out’ concert to tackle plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution is a global issue that spans borders and my government recognizes the urgency and the responsibility we all must undertake as citizens of this planet in combating the effects of plastic pollution. As the first country in the region to ban the use of single-use plastics, Antigua and Barbuda is committed to making a difference and leading by example,” said Prime Minister Browne. We are excited and honored that Antigua and Barbuda will be the host of this unique, global event that will bring awareness to this issue. As a country heavily vested in tourism we recognize that we must do everything in our power to preserve our precious oceans and marine life and to stop the effects of plastic pollution for good.”
Up to 12 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, harming plants, animals, coastal communities and entering our food chain. Plastic can be seen in every corner of the world and the impacts are wide. Whales have washed up on shores, having choked on plastic bags. Adventurers have spotted lumps of polystyrene packaging floating in the Southern Ocean, one of the most remote parts of the earth. Even tests on bottled water from all corners of the globe have found microscopic plastic particles in every sample.
Along with Machel Montano, the concert, which aims to Play it Out to Phase it Out, will be co-headlined by Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Actress Ashanti, who will be visiting Antigua and Barbuda for the first time. Joining the pair will be a lineup of artists and performers covering different regions, demographics and music styles. They include American indie-rock band St. Lucia; Bomba Estéreo, an electric-duo hailing from Colombia; Nico & Vinz, an R&B act from Norway; Rocky Dawuni, Ghana’s premiere reggae artist and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador; and Grammy-nominated German DJ/producer Robin Schulz. The event will also feature top local artists, including Ricardo Drue and Claudette Peters. Antigua’s Kanneh-Masons, who performed at the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, will also perform.
Additionally, the concert will feature an array of speakers including dignitaries, policymakers, celebrities, and representatives from the scientific, philanthropic and academic communities. This includes actor, co-founder of Lonely Whale, and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Adrian Grenier.
The concert, set for 1 June in Antigua, will see an audience of up to 20,000 people attend live, with thousands more following online at http://webtv.un.org/.
