Pan battle is on tonight
By Joan Rampersad Saturday, February 14 2015 (T&T Newsday)The much anticipated battle for pan supremacy is on tonight, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, from 7 pm.Playing first is NGC Couva Joylanders.
However, with an eye on the prize is Pan Elders, reigning title holder who wants to keep it. But in strong contention for that $600,000 first prize are Tobago Bands NLCB Buccooneers and NGC Steel Xplosion. Both were very impressive in the semi- final round of competition, as was Courts Sound Specialists Of Laventille.
Leading off the competition in the Large Band Category is nine times National Panorama champs bp Renegades who will be going all out to capture that tenth title and $1 million prize that goes with it. But they will have to fend off the pack leaders Massy Trinidad All Stars and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove who have dominated the competition in the last ten years.
Consistently among the top bands is Republic Bank Exodus but after NLCB Fonclaire’s strong showing in the semi-final, that would be the band to watch. Also, and never to be underestimated is WITCO Desperadoes; leaving nothing to chance in the final.
The competition’s theme is “Reaching for the Stars….Pan in Ecstasy”.
Pan Trinbago has announced that it would honour six people for their dedicated service to the organisation. They are Milton “Wire”Austin, Tommy Crichlow, Rennison Quashie, Sharon Pitt, Wallace Austin and Eshwarlal “Sam” Ramjitsingh. While they all deserve commendation, however, doing it tonight, unfortunately, only lengthens the show which was set back almost an hour last year when similar tribute was paid to other honorees.
Also, in commemoration of Valentine’s Day, patrons will be treated to complimentary alcoholic beverages and chocolates, with those opting for the North Stand enjoying an all-inclusive experience. In addition, two lucky patrons will each win a pair of airline tickets to any Caribbean Airlines’ destination. Fans, local and foreign, can text the code of their favourite bands to a number provided by bmobile to vote in the FCL Financial People’s Choice. The bands with the most votes in each category will collect $10,000, while the person texting the most votes for the winning bands wins a Samsung S5 Smart phone courtesy blink/bmobile.
Following is the order of appearance in tomorrow’s competitions
MEDIUM BANDS
Position Band song Choice
1. NGC Couva Joylanders - Feeling It
2. Melodians - Don’t Stop This Party
3. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille - Nah Do Dat
4. NLCB Buccooneers - Rainorama
5. Western Stars Philarmonics
6. Pan Elders - Party Time Again
7. NGC Steel Xplosion - Du Du Yemi
8. Arima Angel Harps - Toco Band
9. Valley Harps - Outta De Box
10. Curepe Scherzando - Bassman
11. Petrotrin Katzenjammers- Say Say
LARGE BANDS
1. bp Renegades - Jam Dem Hard
2. Phase II Pan Groove - Happiness
3. WITCO Desperadoes - Pan Hooray
4. NLCB Fonclaire - Fifty Plus
5. Massy Trinidad All Stars - Unquestionable
6. PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars - Edwin’s Legacy
7. T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps - Pan For Beethoven
8. Skiffle - Celebrations
9. Republic Bank Exodus - Puna Band
10. Caribbean Airlines Invaders - This Melody Sweet