A one-point difference gave Arima Golden Symphony the edge over Laventille Serenaders on Thursday night, as the band from the East retained its Panorama Small Conventional Steelband title.Golden Symphony, playing a Terrence BJ Marcelle arrangement of De Fosto's We Come Out to Play, in position number nine, earned 278 points to remain undefeated.
Laventille Serenaders earned 277 points for its performance of Nicole Greaves' Hammer Time.The keenly-contested two-title finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando, also saw another east band, San Juan East Side Symphony, retain the Single Pan title with a two-point lead (278 points) over its closest rival, T&T Defence Force, which amassed 276 points.Trinidad Nostalgic's rendition of David Rudder's 1993 hit, Dust in Yuh Face, earned 274 points and third place.
Also in the single pan category, the judges declared two four-way ties for fourth and ninth place, which elicited loud boos from the audience.Trinidad East Side Symphony, Chord Masters, City Sun Valley Pan Groove and Tiger Tanks Fyzabad 4th Dimension tied for fourth place with 273 points each, while Carib Woodbrook Playboyz, Gonzales Sheikers, Marsicans and Uni Stars each scored 271 points to share the ninth position.
Marsicans, which performed Collin Lucas' 1991 hit, Dollar Wine, had some help from the singer, who not only performed the role of flagman but also demonstrated his waist movement for the "cent, five cent, ten cent and dollar wine," in unison with the pan players.The 28 pan sides battled for the top prizes of $400,000 and $200,000, respectively.
The second half of the show, which saw 11 small conventional bands do battle for honours with Fascinators Pan Symphony performing Black Stalin's Tell Dem.Two of the bands – Super Novas and Tamana Pioneers – suffered a minor setback, as their selection, Machel Montano's Gold Exodus, was not on the house DJ's playlist. The DJ instead played Maestro's Gold to hype up the audience until an official told him it was the wrong song.
Super Nova secured 275 points to place third. Tamana Pioneers had to settle for fifth place, a position they shared with Tornadoes.
Results:
Small Conventional Bands:
1. Arima Golden Symphony – We Come out to play – 278 points
2. Laventille Serenaders – Hammer Time – 277 points
3. Super Novas – Gold Exodus – 275 points
4. Codrington Pan Family – She Ready – 274 points
Single Pan Steelbands:
1. San Juan East Side Symphony – Rant and Rave – 278 points
2. T&T Defence Force – Iron Man – 276 points
3. Trinidad Nostalgic – Dust in Yuh Face – 274 points
4. Trinidad East Side Symphony – Johnny – 273 points
4. Chord Masters – We Ain't Goin Home – 273 points
4. City Sun Valley Pan Groove – Jump and Breakaway – 273 points
4. Tiger Tanks Fyzabad 4th Dimension – Jab Jab (Wine on Something) – 273 points
