BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Dec. 27. 17 – THE local steel pan community was entertained on Sunday, when high schoolers and others pannists locked horns at the 2017 Digicel National Steel Pan competition.
Some fans were left stunned when their favourites did not win the competition after, five bands entertained the large crowd that gathered at the Circus.
Cayon Pantastics edged out crowd favourite Earl Boots Jones (EBJ) Harmonics by eight points to retain their title.
Playing ‘viva St. Kitts’ by Ellie Matt, the Pantastics registered 261 points to EBJ Harmonics’ 253 with Konris Maynard’s ‘Miss Melody’, while another favourite, the Charles E. Mills Secondary school took the third spot (230 points) with ‘By the breath’.
Music Specialist at the Department of Culture, Nigel Williams told SKNVibes that he was impressed with the way the bands performed, highlighting that the artform is alive and well in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“The competition was excellent and of a very high standard. We had the Cayon Pantastics again winning…when you looking at how much they won by, it showed that the other bands really stepped up.”
This year, the bands were invited to play a test piece if they so desire and a competition piece all of their own choice.
And according to Williams, the new changes created a level of excitement amongst all the bands that competed.
“The fans were disappointed with EBJ Harmonics losing out, but they would be pleased with their performance. The same thing for CEMSS – they really put on a performance for us. Also commendations must go out to the bands from Nevis. They came on strong as usual.”
The top three bands would be presented with their spoils at the prize-giving ceremony slated for January.
Activities for Carnival continue this evening with the staging of the National Swimsuit and Mr. GQ competitions at Carnival Village.
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