Follow When Steel Talks

Saint Kitts and Nevis, W.I. - Defending steelband Panorama champions EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra made it three-in-a-row with their victory on Friday December 16, 2022, in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Carnival Village (Sugar Mill) was the venue for the annual event as six steel orchestras showed up as challengers to the title defenders. The music competition is one of the marquis events in the weeks-long festival nationally called “Sugar Mas,” and sometimes referred to internationally as St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival. The 2022-2023 edition began December 2 and culminates January 3, 2023.

The Panorama was well-produced and geared toward a wide audience, streaming live online for pan lovers around the world. The Vybz Steel Orchestra, Young Vibrations Steel Orchestra, Nevis Community Development Steel Orchestra, Oualie Rhythms Steel Orchestra, Pan-Demic Steel Orchestra and Poinciana Rhythmz Steel Orchestra each did their best to unseat EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra. Playing “Nobody Go Run Me” sung by Antigua & Barbuda’s King Short Shirt, the champions took first place with 259 points. The results for the top four bands were given:

1^st - 259 Points - Island Flavours EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra
Tune: Nobody Go Run Me (King Short Shirt)

2^nd - 239 Points - Young Vibrations Steel Orchestra
Tune: Jumping Up Again (King Konris)

3^rd - 226 points - Poinciana Rhythmz Steel Orchestra
Tune: Savannah Grass ( Kes The Band)

4^th - 219 Points - Oualie Rhythms Steel Orchestra
Tune: Out and Bad (Voice)

Judging criteria was as follows:

* Arrangement – 40 points
* General Performance - 40 points
* Tone - 10 points
* Rhythm - 10 points

Total possible score: 100 points

The prize purse for the champion steel orchestra was EC $15,000.00.  The Panorama was a success, according to the event organizers St Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee, posting on their Facebook page in part: “….What a musical treat from all of the steel bands!  What a huge crowd!....”

Leave your comment in the WST forum