BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE National Carnival Committee announced in a press release that the first ever Digicel Clash of the Bands competition will be postponed until early 2012.
The press release stated that due to limited resources the committee has been forced to postpone the event until early 2012 after the completion of the major events.
The band clash was scheduled for Dec. 22 and five of the Federation’s bands were expected to compete in the competition.
The National Carnival Committee regrets any inconvenience caused by this postponement; however a commitment has been made by Digicel to sponsor the clash in the New Year as an extension to the 40:40 calendar.
The release continued that the National Carnival Committee wishes to thank all Bands who have registered for the event and looks forward to their participation in the rescheduled show at a date to be shortly finalised.
The bands that registered for the competition were Ultrasonics, Odisi, Kollision, Lights Out and Nu Vybes.
However, how much of clash would it be without two of our top bands, Grand Masters and Small Axe?
One of the thrills of our carnival celebrations occurs when the bands happen to meet with each other on the road and they are involved in a tune for tune showdown or impromptu clash.
According to Manager of Grand Masters, Wingrove Hicks, their band is a brass band and the other bands are combos.
“It would have to be a competition between other brass bands with trumpet, trombone and saxophone players. We don’t do band competitions and that has been so for years now,” he said.
Gregory Warner, manager of Small Axe said that the band was contacted about an overseas gig on the same night of the clash and they decided to take the overseas gig instead.
He said that all the details for the gig have not been finalized as yet.
In order to make the band clash, a worthwhile event the committee should look into the possibility of including Small Axe and Grand Masters now that the date has changed.
The winner of the clash should be able to comfortably boast and say they won against the top bands in the Federation.
