“The Most Meaningful”: Soundcheck Celebrates One Year of Intimate Live Shows in Kingston

With its intentional format, all-woman leadership, and unique approach to live performances, the Soundcheck series marks one year of redefining the event experience in Kingston. Reflecting on the journey, lead organizer Carleene Samuels shared, “We wanted to give artists a stage that wasn’t just about performance, but many more.”

Sound Check Team, L-R: Lauren Watkis, Cheraine Marshall, Carleene Samuels, Abigail Rowe. (Photo: Tejano Taylor)

For the past year, Soundcheck Live has been delivering a fresh and intimate event series in Jamaica, spotlighting the leading voices of dancehall’s new generation.

Held every other month at Dubwise Cafe in Kingston, the show has featured artists like Valiant, Skeng, Pablo YG, Stalk Ashley, and Bayka performing with a live band. On Thursday, June 19, Kranium will headline the anniversary edition, marking one year since the series launched.

The series is produced by an all-woman team led by veteran event producer and artist manager Carleene Samuels, who brings a distinctive and intimate experience to Kingston’s music scene.

“There’s no shortage of great events in Jamaica, but what sets Soundcheck apart is its intentionality. We’re not trying to be the loudest or the biggest; we’re trying to be the most meaningful. The format is intimate, the audience is close, and every detail is curated to allow artists to connect directly with their fans,” shared Samuels in an interview with Kaboom Magazine.

“As someone who works closely with talent, I saw how rare it was to have a live, intimate setting that prioritised artistry and fan connection”

Samuels elaborated on the vision behind the series' creation: “It was born from a simple idea: to create a space where artists could connect with their audience beyond the hype,” she said. “As someone who works closely with talent, I saw how rare it was to have a live, intimate setting that prioritised artistry and fan connection. We wanted to give artists a stage that wasn’t just about performance, but about storytelling, vulnerability, and sonic experimentation.”

Samuels, a renowned talent manager, set out to channel her industry experience into a platform that prioritizes artistic freedom and connection. “The original vision was to give artists a space where they could express themselves on their own terms. As a manager and producer, I know how often creatives are asked to fit into a mold and I wanted Sound Check to be the opposite of that. A space where an artist could experiment, build their live confidence, or present their work in a new way,” she explained.

Soundcheck is a venture led by an all-female team, and Samuels highlighted the strength of their collaboration. “Our strength lies in how complementary we are. Each person brings a different perspective and skill set, and there’s a strong sense of purpose in how we work together. We’re intentional and deeply committed to creating something that feels both impactful and authentic,” she shared, an ethos that Samuels echoed throughout the conversation.

Reflecting on the one-year milestone, the veteran creator shared, “One of the most powerful things has been watching how artists use the space. Whether it’s a more established name showing vulnerability, or a rising act commanding the stage for the first time: those moments stick.”

With its intentional format, all-woman leadership, and focus on artistry over hype, Soundcheck has carved out a distinctive space in Jamaica’s live music landscape. “We’re really focused on deepening the platform. That means giving artists more creative input, building out content around the performances, and exploring new ways to collaborate; both locally and eventually on a global scale,” Samuels added, pointing to an exciting future for the series.