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It was more "pan in yuh pwefen," to quote Damion Melville of WACK Visual Radio 90.1 FM. The Small Conventional steelband semifinals took place at Victoria Square, Port of Spain, on Saturday, December 20th, 2025. There was no free televised broadcast; the show was streamed via Pan Trinbago’s Pay‑Per‑View platform for US $25.  However, the competition was not without its challenges. The stream was quirky and the sound quality was not desirable. Pay-per-view customers complained about camera angles but more importantly, poor audio quality. The quality issue was not the case for those who attended and enjoyed the captivating performances. 

 

For those attending the show, the performances were stellar.  The performances featured high-quality musical arrangements, which were enhanced by the distinct tonal quality of the pans. Some may disagree with that statement, but every biased supporter has a "bush judge" sense of judgment when it comes to our national instrument. All fan biases vanished after the competition rhetoric, and the scores accurately reflected the closeness of the contest. Just two points separated the top four bands, underscoring the quality and competitiveness of this year’s field.

 

Top Performers

1. Southern Stars Steel Orchestra—Let's Build A Nation Together by Merchant, arranged by Duvon Stewart
2. Uptown Fascinators—Band From Space by Crazy, arranged by Ojay Richards
3. Golden Hands—All Aboard by Atlantik with lead vocals by Tony Prescott, arranged by Vanessa Headley-Brewster
4. T& TEC New East Side Dimensions—Water De Garden 
5. Fascinators Steel Orchestra—Both of Dem 
6. Tunapuna Tipica—Hot Hot Hot

Close calls and questionable judging are the norm. However, it was undeniable that the race was tight, with additional surprises expected in the finals, high musical standards, and a lineup that promises genuine excitement. Everyone will be out to clip Duvone Stewart and his Southern Stars Steel Orchestra that rose to the top at the Semis. The finals promise to deliver all the drama we love for steelband panorama finals performances. 

 

Look who is back. Roger George, three-time Junior Calypso Monarch (1988, 1990, 1991-MusicLog), is a seasoned and versatile vocalist with something special produced by Samuel Archer. The music release is titled "Karnival." The song is a mid-tempo soca release built for road action with a fete vibe energy (you won't get tired chipping or whining to  this song), blending contemporary sheen with traditional Carnival rhythms as part of the ongoing Wuk Up Riddim initiative.​​

 

In the past we have been critical of Nailah's vocals and the difficulty, at times, to understand her vocals. But there is something different about this song. Maybe it was the concept video, the visuals, or even the message that made a difference. Whatever it was, it is not relevant. We love the song; our initial thoughts about understanding and grasping her sound (at times) and her diction have not changed. With “Origins,” Nailah Blackman steps boldly into the river of her heritage, tracing the musical bloodline that flows directly from her grandfather, Lord Shorty, the visionary who created Soca music. This song isn’t just a release—it’s a reclamation, a reminder, and a celebration of where the music comes from and where it continues to go through her.

 

We cannot forget the season. Yes, we have a weakness for new Soca music, but this is Christmas—and in Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, it is Parang season. Over time, we’ve moved away from American popular Christmas songs to embrace our own homegrown blends. Borrowed from our panyol neighbors in Venezuela, traditional Parang was fused with Soca to create two uniquely Caribbean styles: Parang Soca and Soca Parang.