PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – History repeated itself in the 2024 Panorama competition here on Saturday night when a tie was declared for the top position with the traditional big band front runners, BP Renegades and Massy Trinidad All Stars, running away with the one million dollar (One TT dollar=US$01.6 cents) top prize at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
In 1985, Renegades tied with Desperadoes, with both bands playing Lord Kitchener’s “Pan Night and Day.” However, this time around, Renegades for its performance of Mical Teja’s tune “DNA” and All-Stars with the “Inventor” by Olatunji, both scored 285 points as Trinidad and Tobago’s 2024 Carnival celebration reaches its climax with the traditional street parade on Tuesday.
However, Renegades continued to be involved in the history of the celebrations, winning 13 Panorama titles and moving ahead of Desperadoes, with which it previously shared 12 titles.
Republic Bank Exodus placed third with 283 points for its performance of the tune, Long Time” by the late Montserrat singer Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell.
Desperadoes, playing “DNA,” was involved in a tie for the fourth position with Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra that played Lord Kitchener’s “Pan in A Minor Remastered,” with both bands scoring 280 points.
Republic Bank Exodus placed third with 283 points for its performance of Long Time, a song by Arrow.
The carnival celebrations continue on Sunday night with the Calypso Monarch competition that will have Soca star Machel Montano and one of this year’s famous singers, Mical Teja, competing.
Reigning Calypso Monarch Ta’zyah O’Connor will come up against 11 other competitors, each of whom has eight minutes to perform at the show with the theme “Carnival Come Back–The Ritual.”
The competition will also feature former winners Kurt Allen and Karene Asch, as well as the veteran Winston “Gypsy” Peters and newcomers Helon Francis and Stacey Sobers.
The other competitors for the first prize of TT$500,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) and a vehicle are Aaron Duncan, Brian London, Mical Williams, and Roderick Gordon.