This post first appeared on Sokah2Soca, where Caribbean music meets wit, rhythm, and real talk. Island Vybe Radio spins the tunes—we decode the culture.
Last night’s Panorama showdown was pure steel magic. Brooklyn came alive with rhythm, rivalry, and real-time commentary from an alumnus of the WACK Radio 90.1FM chat box—where Kenny Phillips crowned us all “bush judges,” and we wore the title proudly. I was there and will represent the 'Bush Judges Association of WACK!'
To provide some context, it is important to highlight one of the main attributes of a good bush judge: Cry Foul Play—They thief, and we know better! We are not going to do that for this post (but bush judges are always right, aren't they?), but the loser, usually, will fall prey to partisanship.
Do opinions really count? Maybe! While Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) emerged victorious, a growing chorus of voices argued that Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra deserved the victory. As one of those bush judges, I have my own opinions.
We are here not to toast the results but to roast them... just a little bit. Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) took the top spot with André White’s arrangement of “Too Own Way”—and let me tell you, it was a vibrant, uptempo ride. The flourishes were bold, the rhythm relentless, and the energy? Electric. It was the kind of performance that grabs the crowd and doesn’t let go. No surprise; the judges leaned in their favor.
As an official bush judge, I listened to the Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra with interest and pleasant surprise. Their rendition of “Bet Meh” by Machel Montano was smooth, classic, and melodically rich. From the first note, I knew exactly what they were playing. It was a masterclass in restraint and musical storytelling. There were no gimmicks, just pure pan. It was the kind of performance that made you close your eyes and sway, not just jump and shout.
So here’s my verdict: PESO thrilled the audience and earned their win, but Philly Pan Stars delivered a timeless arrangement that deserved serious consideration. If melody, clarity, and classic Panorama vibes were the metric, Philly would’ve taken it in my book. Yes, I preferred Philly Pan Stars and would choose them as the winner! As I wrote that, I ducked immediately—no buss head for me!
Panorama isn’t just about scores. It’s about stories. And last night, both bands told theirs with pride, precision, and plenty of pan. But that’s the beauty of Panorama—every band brings its flavor, and every bush judge has their scorecard. Respect to both orchestras for raising the bar and keeping the culture alive.
Let the debates begin. Who had your vote last night?
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: WIADCA NYC Panorama 2025
Origin: Brooklyn Museum, NYC
Genre: Steelband Music ?
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