Against a backdrop of surging demand for soul and reggae-focused cultural experiences among the Caribbean diaspora spread across North America and Europe, Jamaican entertainment promoter Fabian Cole — widely known by his industry nickname “Boomas” — is taking his beloved Soul Food Caribbean Festival brand beyond Caribbean borders for the first time. What started as a small, beloved weekly gathering called Soul Food Tuesdays on the island of Jamaica has steadily grown into a full-scale international cultural festival, with already well-received sold-out editions successfully staged in both England and Canada.
Cole built the entire festival movement around three core pillars that set it apart from other mass entertainment events: timeless classic soul music, immersive authentic Caribbean culture, and one-of-a-kind local culinary experiences that give attendees a true taste of the region. In an interview, Cole highlighted a shifting cultural landscape in his home country that laid the groundwork for the festival’s growth. “Jamaica is globally known for dancehall, but there is a burgeoning soul movement taking root right here right now,” he said. “Audiences connect deeply with the warm vibe and the raw emotional resonance that soul music brings, something they can’t get from other genres.”
Up next on the festival’s global schedule is the 2026 Canadian edition, scheduled to take place on Canada Day, July 1, 2026, in Markham, Ontario. The upcoming show will headline a stacked lineup of iconic and emerging reggae talent, including legendary Jamaican performer Capleton, fan-favorite Gyptian, and fast-rising young artist D’Yani. Cole explained the choice of Markham’s Esna Park as the event venue, noting its strategic central location in the Greater Toronto Area, ample adjacent parking in the surrounding commercial district, and easy accessibility for attendees traveling from across the region. “It’s a very centralised location, and people can get around easily here,” Cole said.
Cole shared that early ticket sales for the 2026 Markham festival have already outperformed projections, a success he attributes to the long-standing, deep-rooted appreciation for reggae culture that exists across Canadian communities. Even as the brand expands outward, Cole emphasized that reggae and soul’s cross-cultural appeal remains the foundation of its international traction. “Canadians love reggae music,” he said. “We share that cultural connection, and Canadians have always had a solid grounding and love for reggae.”
Looking toward the future, Cole has ambitious expansion plans for the Soul Food Caribbean Festival brand, with target new North American markets including New York City and Los Angeles. Most importantly, the promoter says he is committed to bringing a large-scale flagship edition of the festival back to his home country. “We’re Jamaican and we built this brand from here, so we definitely have to put on a major staging of the festival in Jamaica,” he confirmed. Cole also dropped a hint about future headliners, revealing that he hopes to bring acclaimed American R&B songstress Keyshia Cole to the Jamaican festival edition in a future year.