Proving the point!

The effect of the limited steelband participation on the streets at carnival!

I’ve long argued that the absence of steelbands from the streets at carnival had more of an impact on the music and culture than was obvious and this year’s panorama proved my point.

Listening once again to the final performances from this year’s panorama I particularly enjoyed the modern arrangements of classic calypsos , music created at a time when composers had an ear for music that translated well to the percussive steel pan instruments.

And this was no accident since in those days the steelband played a primary role in determining the road march winner , and therefore who would receive the associated rewards.

Though there were other influences, the removal of the steelband from the road at carnival facilitated a change in the music, as composers focused instead on creating music more compatible to needs of the DJ , especially with stiff competition from Jamaican reggae and dancehall.

This has created substantial changes in the music available for steelbands to source for panorama, and as a result it has gotten more difficult for arrangers today to find popular local music suitable for adapting in a way that allows them to demonstrate and even emphasize the beauty of the steelband .
Hence, the decision by arrangers to choose familiar hits from the past became understandable, almost inevitable.

Anyway, just some thoughts while enjoying a replay of Panorama 2023 on YouTube!