Barclays Center Rides Caribbean Music Wave: Record Concerts Drive 20% of 2025 Revenue, Boost Cultural Landscape
The Barclays Center has achieved a significant milestone in 2025, with a record seven Caribbean concerts contributing a substantial 20 percent to the arena’s gross revenue year-to-date. This remarkable success underscores the growing global appeal of Caribbean music genres and highlights Brooklyn’s integral role as a hub for Caribbean culture.
A Record-Breaking Season for Caribbean Music
In 2025, Barclays Center hosted a record seven Caribbean-themed concerts, drawing more than 80,000 fans. This achievement builds upon the arena’s previous success, having hosted 74 concerts in Fiscal Year 2025. The diverse lineup featured artists across a spectrum of beloved genres, including reggae, soca, konpa, and dancehall, solidifying the arena’s position as a premier platform for these vibrant musical styles.
Notable performances in 2025 included Vybz Kartel, who delivered three sold-out shows, alongside appearances by artists such as Michael Brun, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Shenseea, Alkaline, Elephant Man, and Machel Montano. Machel Montano’s Planet Brooklyn festival, a two-day celebration of Brooklyn’s cultural diversity, further showcased the arena’s commitment to featuring a wide array of Caribbean talent, including Lady Lava, Bunji Garlin, Skillibeng, Ayetian, and Ravi B. In fact, Vybz Kartel’s earlier performances in April of 2025 set a new U.S. record for Jamaican dancehall artists, grossing $8.4 million and selling 31,126 tickets across two shows, marking the highest-grossing arena concert by a solo Jamaican dancehall artist in U.S. history.
Financial Impact and Cultural Significance
The 20 percent contribution of Caribbean concerts to the arena’s gross revenue signifies a major financial success for Barclays Center. This trend reflects the increasing economic power of Caribbean music and its ability to draw large, engaged audiences. The success of these events is intrinsically linked to Brooklyn’s robust Caribbean diaspora, which comprises a significant portion of the borough’s population. Neighborhoods like Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Crown Heights have been recognized as “Little Caribbean” due to the high concentrations of people of Caribbean descent, numbering over 560,000 in Brooklyn. This deep-rooted community connection makes Barclays Center a natural and resonant venue for these cultural celebrations.
Laurie Jacoby, Chief Entertainment Officer at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE), highlighted the significance of these performances: “Brooklyn’s deep Caribbean roots, paired with the rising global popularity of reggae, dancehall, soca, and konpa, make it especially meaningful for Barclays Center to host these shows.” She added, “These dynamic performances not only reflect the passion of Caribbean music fans but also showcase the important role our arena plays in bringing diverse, world-class entertainment to Brooklyn.” Reggae Fest founder CJ Milan emphasized Brooklyn’s status as a “mecca of dancehall in the United States,” noting that bringing these shows to Barclays Center is a “powerful statement.”
Barclays Center: A Hub for Diverse Cultural Expression
Barclays Center has been intentional in curating an event calendar that reflects the diversity of its community. Beyond Caribbean music, the arena has hosted a variety of global performances, including K-Pop, Mandopop, and C-Pop, demonstrating its commitment to offering a wide range of cultural experiences. The venue’s strategic programming, influenced by entities like BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), aims to identify spectacular and interesting events suitable for larger venues, further enhancing Brooklyn’s cultural landscape.
The arena’s ability to host large-scale productions, with a seating capacity of up to 18,000 for performances, and its modern staging, sound, and lighting facilities, make it an ideal venue for high-profile touring acts. This infrastructure, combined with its accessibility via public transit and proximity to local amenities, solidifies its role not just as a sports venue, but as a vital cultural epicenter.
The Broader Impact of Caribbean Music
The surge in Caribbean concerts at Barclays Center is part of a larger trend of the genre’s growing global influence and economic impact. Live music events, particularly those that celebrate diverse cultures, are recognized as significant economic drivers, boosting local economies through tourism, job creation, and increased consumer spending. The success of Caribbean music at Barclays Center not only benefits the arena but also contributes to the cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity of Brooklyn and New York City. With plans for more Caribbean shows in 2026, the momentum built in 2025 indicates a promising future for this rich musical tradition on major global stages.
The news of Barclays Center’s record-breaking Caribbean concert season highlights a powerful synergy between cultural representation, community engagement, and economic success. It signifies a growing acknowledgment of the immense value and broad appeal of Caribbean culture within the global entertainment landscape.