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 and Spa, Antigua’s newest, luxury resort nestled on turquoise blue waters on the northern side of the island was the backdrop for the news conference announcing the ‘Play it Out’ concert. The star-studded global event is to be held in Antigua June 1 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne; minister of health, wellness and the environment, Molwyn Joseph; and minister of sports, culture, national festivals and the arts, Daryll Matthew, welcomed Montano as one of the headliners at the upcoming ‘Play it Out’ concert to tackle plastic pollution.

Montano says “As a musician, my main occupation is creation, which means you start looking at the environment and nature around you… This is why I am involved in projects like this and my music brings a message which I believe is positive and inspirational.” 

Plastic pollution is a global issue that spans borders and my government recognises 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.

Up to 12 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, harming plants, animals, coastal communities and entering the food chain. Plastic can be seen in every corner of the world and the impacts are extensive. 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.

The concert, set for June 1 in Antigua, will see an audience of up to 20,000 people attending live, with thousands more following online.