Inside the Playbook: Machel Montano & Che Kothari on How the King of Soca Designs World-Class Shows

In this conversation, Machel Montano opens up about what truly goes into crafting a great live performance, not just the music, but the presence, discipline, and attention needed to make a crowd feel something real.

He talks about reading the room, trusting spontaneity, and treating every show like a conversation with the audience. Che Kothari adds the structure behind it all, the systems, rehearsal habits, and performance strategy that give Machel room to improvise while keeping the experience world-class.

What emerges is a rare look at how instinct and planning work together in the Caribbean music ecosystem.
Machel’s approach isn’t just about entertaining. It’s about honoring responsibility, representing culture, and sustaining excellence over decades.

If you’re an artist, manager, or anyone building a live show, this clip gives you a clearer lens on what performance mastery actually looks like.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LMnduBDxM02PuYb6tW2xN?si=1KnMQX9ITwmvI2xDUpNQgw

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook