Faine Richards

Communications and Advocacy Officer at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in T&T. Mom, public writer, American-Trini, stubborn optimist.

[UN Spokesperson @UN_Spokesperson]

A Moment of Truth.

On 5 June, @antonioguterres will deliver a special address on the urgent need for #ClimateAction followed by a Q&A with @FemiOke.

Do you have any questions for him? Let us know!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@shaneragoobar I will definitely be back next year. Decor was awesome, number of bar stations meant I never waited. Dj sets were great, MC talking was comparatively minimal, vibes were high. Sun was harsh but, I could live with it. Private Ryan apologised for the late start during his set.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

Gates opened about 5 mins ago. Patrons are hot, hungry and frustrated.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

With an advertised start time of 11am, gates STILL aren't open at Soca Brainwash. No explanation being given about the reason for the delay.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@KejanHaynes I had to wonder!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

With an advertised start time of 11am, gates STILL aren't open at Soca Brainwash. No explanation being given about the reason for the delay.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

Gates just opened.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

Gates at Patrice Roberts' concert at National Stadium still closed, after advertising an 8pm opening. No music playing inside. Lights on the stadium field appear to be off. Crowd building outside. No explanation so far.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

Gates at Patrice Roberts' concert at National Stadium still closed, after advertising an 8pm opening. No music playing inside. Lights on the stadium field appear to be off. Crowd building outside. No explanation so far.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

.@DjPrivateRyan set at Blue Range All Inclusive was such a hype builder. Well done! Saved the fete after 3 extended audio cuts because of speaker failure. Can't wait for Brainwash!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@macmark I wasn't imputing anything about the artists, tbh. I think they have done a great job at using streaming platforms for distribution. My contention is, streaming doesn't always convey the build up a song is having in popular context, but radio airplay can tell you that.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

#UnpopularOpinion DJs trying to play 2024 soca at fetes but people doh know the tunes so they barely giving forwards, which forces us to hear pre-2024 soca most of the fete. This was my experience at #B2B.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@Rye31 @DjKaoticIntl This couldn't be further from the truth for a seasonal festival. In fact, it has more relevance during Carnival than most other times of the year when streaming can easily replace airplay.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@CheyquanRoss @petedchris Switch stations! A lot of good music out there.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@petedchris @DjPrivateRyan I enjoyed Ryan's set and saw the effort to chuck in a few new soca songs, but yes I saw the constraints because the crowd just didn't seem to know the new music. It really is a dilemma for DJs, but this fete showed me it isn't always their fault - as the narrative says it is.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@DjKaoticIntl It really has to be this. I listening to 2024 soca since 96.1 switched in December. Soooooo many 2024 tunes did not play, two weeks into a six week season. The fete rode on the back of older soca. I love old soca yes but, this is my one year to hear 2024 tunes.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@petedchris I feel like the dominant narrative is that DJs seem to prefer to rely on the older soca. But I saw for myself that they tried a few newer tunes, and it was like people just didn't know them. We not listening to radio anymore? Far less in a short season.

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@ldowrich All the best, Laura!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@DavidAbdulah_tt Happy birthday!!!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

@julien2k1 Thanks so much Patrick!

[Faine Richards @fainerichards]

I am proud to have been part of the team of national staff who helped arrange the visit of the UN Secretary-General to 🇹🇹. Another one for the career highs.

[ABC News @ABC]

‘Titanic’ director James Cameron on the ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible: “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field."