Collective Soul excited to perform in Trinidad

■ Nigel Telesford

LEAD vocalist Ed Roland and the members of the multi- platinum-selling alternative rock band Collective Soul are looking forward to visiting Trinidad and Tobago for the first time.

Thrilled to see the Caribbean Sea for the first time ever, Roland and company will headline the Voices of Rock concert scheduled for tonight at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain.

Speaking to the Express, event promoter, entrepreneur and multiple Great Race winner Joey Sabeeney said that the band is 'very excited' to visit Trinidad and, in fact, the Caribbean region as a whole for the first time ever.

He said: 'It seems unthinkable that they have never set foot in the region at all, but now that they have the opportunity, they are all planning to make the most of it and I have chartered a yacht to take them down the islands during their short stay here in Trinidad. So apart from the music and the magic they will share onstage, this has become a bit of a tourism exercise also due to their keen interest in exploring this tropical paradise of ours.'

Founder and lead vocalist Roland echoed Sabeeney's sentiments during a brief phone call and referred to this impending visit as 'a dream come true'.

He said: 'We have heard so much about Trinidad over the years, but never thought that there were rock fans there, or that we would have a chance to come and play out there at all. Now that Joey is making this a reality, we really want to make the most of it and try all the exotic foods and the drinks and soak up all the amazing sights and sounds and scenery that he has been describing to us.'

Roland promised to deliver a great show at the concert and asked 'all rock, alternative rock, any style of rock and of course any Collective Soul fans' to come out and support the event.

'You guys are really lucky to have someone like Joey who loves the music so much that he continues to invest in bands and events like this one,' Roland added, 'which probably would not have happened otherwise. If you're a fan of any kind of rock and roll, then you should come out and support this and enjoy the music that you love because we definitely need that energy and we're looking forward to rocking with all of Trinidad and Tobago!'