By Semaj Bernard
From bouyon and cadence-lypso to R&B, dancehall, reggae and amapiano, the 26th World Creole Music Festival brought the Caribbean and the world together for three unforgettable nights in Dominica.
The 26th edition of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) was more than just three nights of music. It was a celebration of Caribbean culture, a showcase of Dominican talent and a meeting point for musical influences from across the globe.
Held October 23–25 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, the festival delivered a diverse lineup that kept patrons entertained well into the early hours of the morning, with performances that ranged from nostalgic crowd favourites to unexpected surprises and showstopping moments.
From the opening cultural performances to Machel Montano’s energetic closing set, WCMF 2026 offered a little something for everyone, proving once again why the festival remains one of the most anticipated events on Dominica’s entertainment calendar.
Night One: Bouyon, Legends and a Crowd That Wouldn’t Sit Still
As tradition dictates, the festival opened with cultural performances by the Sixth Form Sisserou Singers and cultural dancers, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in the island’s identity.
Martinique’s Maurane Voyer made her WCMF debut, bringing an infectious energy that immediately caught the attention of the crowd. Her incorporation of a bouyon beat into one of her songs proved to be the perfect touch, sending Dominican patrons into a frenzy while the Martinican contingent showed up in full support.
Dominica’s own Colton T followed, returning to the main stage after a year marked by the success of his viral hit “Rule You.” Although technical difficulties interrupted his set and cut into his performance time, the local Dancehall-Groovy Bouyon artist eventually got back into his stride and reminded the crowd why he continues to earn a place on the festival’s main stage. He was joined by his latest project and artist, Timii Mignonne, adding another dimension to his performance.
The night also made room for the timeless sounds of Midnight Groovers. Led by the legendary Chubby, who at 78 years old still had the energy to rock the crowd, the cadence-lypso band delivered a reminder of the musical legacy that continues to shape Dominica.
Klass followed with an exceptional performance, while Jamaican dancehall legend Capleton had patrons jumping and testing their knees as he encouraged the crowd to match his seemingly endless energy.
TK International brought the bouyon heat, mixing newer hits with nostalgic favourites that had longtime fans singing along. Skillibeng delivered his anticipated set, while Ridge and Pudaz took things up another notch.
One of the most talked-about moments came when Ridge introduced an animated segment taking shots at fellow bouyon artist Asa Bantan, leaving patrons shocked and entertained. Pudaz also delivered a standout performance that helped cement the duo’s place among the night’s highlights.
DJ MJ and MV on the Keys brought the opening night to a fitting close, keeping the crowd rocking and wilding out until the very end.
Night Two: Ne-Yo, Bouyon Drama and a Captain’s Entrance
Saturday night opened with Dominica’s Extasy Band, a group that has repeatedly demonstrated its staying power despite often being scheduled early in the festival lineup.
This year, the band drew a strong crowd, delivering a lively performance with guest appearances from Rhea, Shalina, Khadija Joseph, Pudaz and Paris.
A particularly memorable moment came when Pudaz and Paris joined the band for its kompa remix of their bouyon hit “Shake Something.” A clip of the duo’s intimate performance, captured by BIG Multimedia’s Semaj Bernard, had garnered over 50,000 views at the time of publication.
Haitian band Tabou Combo kept the French-speaking and Haitian patrons rocking before the highly anticipated appearance of Grammy Award-winning R&B star Ne-Yo.
Initially, the absence of visible band members on stage left patrons wondering how his performance would unfold. But once Ne-Yo appeared, any uncertainty quickly disappeared.
Delivering nothing but live vocals, captivating choreography and energetic dancers, the international star worked through his catalogue of hits across R&B, hip-hop and dance, while also introducing music from his new country project. It was one of the standout performances of the entire festival.
Alkaline followed with a strong set, despite performing with oxygen support due to asthma. His determination to show up and deliver for his fans under the circumstances was commendable, and he still managed to give patrons a memorable performance.
But the night’s most anticipated local appearance was yet to come.
For years, Asa Bantan has been known for his creative entrances and his position as one of the festival’s Saturday night closers. This year, the Bouyon Boss arrived around 3 a.m. Sunday, making his entrance from within the crowd in a plane-themed setup, dressed as a pilot captain.
His performance began with an animated response to Ridge’s earlier Friday night segment, leaving patrons gasping and gagged all over again.
Introducing himself as Dominica’s captain, Asa took the crowd on a journey through his catalogue of hits, accompanied by pan players and a tribute to women and girls who have suffered at the hands of men, including Jerbiah Paul.
And, of course, there was the signature chaos involving water and paper towels.
The Saint Lucian lineup of DYP, featuring Shemmy J, Hollywood HP, Sedale, Andrew, Tallyboy, Nerdy, Ezra and current Female Groovy Soca Monarch Kisha Kay, kept the momentum going with performances that included her hit “Done.”
Edday, Reo, Trilla G and Grenadian artist V’ghn rounded out the night, leaving patrons on their feet as Saturday’s musical marathon continued into Sunday morning.
Night Three: A Global Finale with Caribbean Soul
Sunday night brought the final chapter of WCMF 2026, opening with Les Aiglons and Jean-Marc Ferdinand, whose performances provided a vibrant start to the evening.
Congolese soukous guitarist Diblo Dibala followed, delivering a great performance before reggae veteran Maxi Priest took the stage.
Maxi Priest was nothing short of amazing, serving up hit after hit with smooth vocals and undeniable energy.
South African DJ Uncle Waffles then introduced a different experience to the festival. As the first female DJ to perform at WCMF, she brought a full amapiano set, complete with energetic dancers and infectious rhythms.
While the crowd may have initially been unfamiliar with the format of a DJ-led performance without live singing, Uncle Waffles managed to get patrons moving and made her set one of the night’s highlights. Though it ended 12 minutes earlier than expected, the impact was already made.
Fridayy also delivered a crowd-pleasing performance, adding another highlight to the festival’s international lineup.
Shelly and Signal Band brought the local flavour back to the stage, with guest appearances from Nice, Gwada G, Shaxx and DJ Taffy adding to an already lively set.
And then came the grand finale.
Trinidadian soca king Machel Montano closed out the festival with an energy that seemed almost impossible to match. Delivering hits from across the decades, Montano had the crowd moving from start to finish, while his dancers barely had time to catch their breath.
It was an explosive end to three nights of music, culture and entertainment.
A Festival That Continues to Deliver
WCMF 2026 brought together generations of music lovers and a wide range of Caribbean and international sounds, from the timeless rhythms of cadence-lypso and kompa to the infectious energy of bouyon, dancehall, reggae, soca, R&B and amapiano.
There were technical setbacks, unexpected moments, crowd favourites and performances that left patrons talking long after the music stopped.
But through it all, the festival remained what it has always been: a celebration of Dominica, its people and the music that connects the Caribbean to the world.
Three nights. Countless rhythms. One unforgettable festival.