2026 UK National Panorama Results -
They’re Back! Ebony Steelband Wins 25th Title with Ojay Richards at the Helm
London, England, U.K. - UPDATE! - September 1, 2026: Another year, another controversy (or fiasco), another change of scores, and places! There appears, for now, to be no official press release from event organizers Notting Hill Carnival on this situation. What has been provided on their Facebook page, is a graphic with the revised scores and positioning, which now include third and fourth place positions, as opposed to a ‘tie’ in third.
After the results were announced ‘live’ at the venue, half hour after the competition - there are now ‘revisions,’ though the championship band remains Ebony Steelband. Points scored are now out of 300, with the high and low scores apparently discarded. Saturday night’s scores appeared to be out of 500.
The results chart, below, has been updated - but the original scores and positions announced are kept for historical record. Incidentally, only Ebony’s position as champion had been given, not its score, on the night of the competition.
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Original article - August 29, 2026: ‘Good behavior’ was not a requirement, which was a good thing as the tune of choice was Cyah Behave, where only a very good musical arrangement for steelpan, and its performance at a high level - was mandatory. Newly-minted UK National Panorama champion arranger Ojay Richards brought the music, and 2026 UK National Panorama champion steel orchestra Ebony Steelband executed and brought to life Richards’ arrangement of international soca artist Voice’s popular track.
Ebony Steelband on stage at the 2026 UK National Panorama
It is a notable year for both Ebony Steelband and Richards. The music organization sat out the 2025 Panorama in protest, after they were initially declared winners in the 2024 competition, but shortly after alternate results were publicized and the title instead given to Mangrove Steel Orchestra. This is the twenty-fifth title for Ebony in the national Panorama competition. For Ojay Richards it is his first time arranging in the UK National Panorama, and topping that, bringing the title to Ebony; it is also his first major Panorama title. Ebony’s previous arranger for several years was Duvone Stewart. Coming in second was the 2025 winner Mangrove Steelband, while there was a tie for third place.
The earlier bout of rain and the sometimes chilly evening air did not put a damper on the spirits of steelband music lovers who turned out in their customary droves for the annual UK Panorama steelband competition held at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park. Southside Harmonics took the stage in fifth position, closing off the competition when they played their final notes at 11:15 p.m. local time. Results were announced within thirty minutes by 11:45 p.m. on Saturday August 29.
Following are the results [REVISED]:
| Placing / Revised Score/
Prior score / Played at ** |
Band / # of Players |
Selection/ Performer |
Arranger, Tuner, et al |
| 1st 287 [---] ** (#3) |
Ebony
Steelband
|
Cyah Behave (Aaron “Voice” St. Louis) |
Arranger: Ojay Richards Tuner:  Dudley Dickson Director:  Pepe Francis |
| 2nd 287 [457] ** (#2) |
Mangrove Steel Orchestra
105 |
One For The Team (“Full Blown” x “Tano”) |
Arranger: André White Tuner:  Augustus “Gus” Peters Captain: Andrew Facey Manager: Matthew Phillip |
| 3rd 271 [444] ** (#4) |
Metronomes
90
|
Respectfully Yours “Full Blown” |
Arranger: Terrance “BJ” Marcelle Tuners: Toussaint Clarke & Juma Simmons Captain: Kevin Osbourne Manager: Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills |
| 4th 270 [3rd 444] ** (#1) |
Real Steel
80 |
Rant & Rave (Christopher “Tambu” Herbert) |
Arranger & Manager: Leroy Clarke Tuner: Toussaint Clarke Captain: Joe Friend Director: Rachael Duchnowski |
| 5th 250 [406] ** (#5) |
Southside Harmonics
75 |
Jamtown (“Coutain” & “Tano”) |
Arranger: Eustace Benjamin Tuner: Tony Charles Captain: Julian Gibbs |
Revised results for the 2026 UK National Panorama, published on Notting Hill Carnival’s
Facebook page
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