The last time two bands tied for the top place in a large-band Panorama final was in 1985. On Saturday that was broken as bp Renegades and Massy Trinidad All Stars were crowned 2024 Panorama large-band champions. Both bands scored 285 points.
Renegades played Mical Teja’s DNA while All Stars played Olatunji’s Inventor. Unlike last year's winning piece, both bands played 2024 songs.
Renegades won the title last year playing the late Black Stalin’s 1991 Ah Feel to Party. The band now holds the record for the most Panorama wins, having surpassed Desperadoes' 12 wins.
In 1985 Amoco Renegades, with a Jit Samaroo arrangement, tied with Desperadoes, arranged by Beverly Griffith, for the Panorama title. Both bands played Kitchener’s Pan Night and Day.
Saturday’s tie was also illustrative of how fierce a musical battle it was at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday.
Before a packed audience, 11 bands brought their strongest game to the stands for a chance at earning the title.
The fight was so fierce that the difference between sixth and seventh place was a point and a half. There was also another tie at fourth place between Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra and Shell Invaders. Both bands scored 280 points.
For Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore, this is reflective of the growth and development of pan under her stewardship.
After the results were announced, Ramsey-Moore told the media, “It was a magnificent show. I am pleased. I am satisfied.
“The hard work of my team. We have been doing this since November and when you think of the logistics to be putting on so many shows, in the community, taking judges to and fro.”
The judging criteria were: arrangement (40 points), general performance (40 points), tone (10 points) and rhythm (10 points). Scores out of 300
Renegades’ president Colin Greaves dismissed claims that the band won because this year’s Panorama title sponsor was bpTT, calling it ridiculous.
In a phone interview, Greaves said the band was honoured to be the joint title holders with Massy Trinidad All Stars.
“They truly are a fantastic band and we both have a fantastic relationship. We wouldn’t pick it any other way.”
Greaves said this was not the first tie in Panorama history at this level and it showed the calibre of the execution of all of the bands.
“This year’s standard of Panorama was extremely high. It was extremely competitive and it was evident in how close the scores are with just one point and half point separating most of the finalists.
“We think there are so many things that are evaluated on the night. So many factors. It is not just about the musicality, it is not just about your execution, not just about whether you jump and wave, it is not just about whether you had plenty runs; it is not just about whether you had the best stage presentation.
“There are so many factors that come together. We always say, win, lose or draw, we respect what the judges decided to do and we party and celebrate, which was the scenario at 138 Renegades Way (Charlo
