Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Pan fever gripped the environs of Port of Spain tonight as 25 single-pan steelbands performed for the coveted title of National Single-Pan Band Champions for Carnival 2025. And tonight San Juan East Side Symphony playing "The Guns" emerged as champions, with Chord Masters Steel Orchestra in second place, followed by Metro Stars Steel Orchestra in third position. We consider all bands performing tonight winners! However, Duvonne Stewart's arrangement of "The Guns," played by the San Juan East Side Symphony, emerged as the clear winner and deserving champions tonight with a score of 284 points.
Despite placing a respectable second tonight, the results dethroned last year's champions, Chord Masters Steel Orchestra. It was an exciting night of competition, but regrettably we were unable to broadcast live stage performances as we typically do through a radio feed. However, we were able to provide a video feed of the bands 'practicing on the drag' before their stage performances. We are grateful to "I Am Living My Life" for providing the YouTube video feed.
Despite the preparations leading up to the competition and our frustrations, the Single Pan Finals in Trinidad's Queen's Park Savannah were truly spectacular tonight! The arrangements were absolutely fantastic, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our steel orchestras. Every beat and melody resonated with the passion and spirit of Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument.
As we celebrate the success of this unforgettable evening, we are now eagerly looking forward to the conventional band competitions in 2025. The excitement is building, and we can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for our vibrant Steelpan community.
Tonight, not everyone achieved their desired outcome. I am not talking about winners and losers of the Steelpan fraternity that competed tonight. I am talking about the fans who love listening to Steelpan music but are unable to attend for various reasons. The international community also had to deal with a limited PPV feed from WACK Radio/TV tonight, which cost $15 US. The fee was reasonable, but the lack of a customary radio feed was notable. The issue at hand is that some individuals are unable to attend, relying instead on the radio feed to enjoy the event. The decision to "limit access" to the feed to a single entity, thereby turning performances into a paid event, seems to have been made by those in authority. So what did they achieve? They limited the spread and ability to enjoy this wonderful instrument and competition. They not only excluded Trinis who were living abroad but also those who were at home. We must not only promote culture but also ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can witness history!
Thank you to all the performers, organizers, and fans for making this event a truly magical experience. Let's continue to celebrate and support our world-renowned culture, and especially our incredible Steelband musicians!
Finally, the results (top 6 bands, songs, arrangers, and points):
- San Juan East Side Symphony - The Guns - Duvonne Stewart - 284 points
- Chord Masters Steel Orchestra - Swing Engine - André White - 276
- Metro Stars Steel Orchestra - Disco Daddy - Kersh Ramsey - 272
- Hope Pan Groovers - Long Time - Ojay Richards - 271
- New Age Trendsetters - This Melody Sweet - Nicholas Joseph & Myles Phillips - 268
- Platinum Steel Orchestra - Natasha Joseph - 265
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event/Competition: National Single Pan Steelband Finals
Event Organizer: Pan Trinibag TT
Website: Pan Trinbago Inc
Venue: Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain
Date and Time: Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Steelband
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♫Please click the music player button below to listen now (a small triangle in the music player/TV Frame).
For those not familiar with the winning song, we are posting it here for your listening pleasure. "Spice and Company" released the song for Crop Over in Barbados back in 2011.
