May 25, 2025 – Eighty years of rhythms and memories: A Legacy in Steel!!
The Hells Gate Steel Orchestra’s Panorama Launch event has become the official signal that Pan Season for Antigua’s Carnival is off and running.
Defending Champions, the Caribbean Union Bank Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, took pan lovers home last night, to Baker’s Corner in The Point, where it all began, for the band’s now traditional Panorama Launch showcase.
The evening did not disappoint.
The newest steel band on the ‘block’, Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, opened the night with a smooth and easy-going, fitting tribute – Home by Asher Otto. It was a most appropriate opener, as pan, not just Hells Gate, was home, where it was born, in The Point. Under Captain Zahra Lake, who could be heard in the count off to start each piece if your ears were keen, Pandemonium reinforced the ghetto vibes and celebrated the pan while entertaining the most receptive audience.
Pandemonium’s set would close with Claudette ‘CP’ Peters ‘Mental Day’ , the Panorama piece. Speaking briefly with Arranger Zahra Lake, she shared that in addition to a ‘nice melody’, Mental Day resonated on other levels. The lyrics resonated with much of the work she has been undertaking in recent years. She is anticipating an eighty-strong side on stage, Panorama night, and she is looking forward to Panorama with Pandemonium, an institution she has been at the core of from the outset.
Second to the stage, the Panache Steel Orchestra served notice they were in a party mood from the first tune, Gabby’s Dr Cassandra”. We were taken on an ‘old school’ call-and-answer ride, again in tribute to being home, where pan started. The audience responded in full appreciation. Then it was into a Summer Festival frenzy with a Flames classic ‘Fire Under Me Foot’. I spied a man contemplating overturning a coal pot; thankfully, the tune ended before the vibes overcame him.
Panache’s very high-energy set ended with the introduction of their panorama tune to choice, Burning Flames ‘Keep It So’. Speaking with arranger Malik Smith shortly after the band completed its set, he indicated that it was Captain Maurisha who brought forward the idea for the tune in response to some reservations he had with his initial selection.
Malik shared, “When I’m writing my music, and even commentators, spectators have said this each competition, usually with our arrangements, you can sing them and you can dance to them. Being able to sing and dance while still trying to follow the criteria that the judges are looking for has always been something that I enjoy.
When you have a band that has a lot of young people, you also have to find a way, even though it’s an old song that they might not know, to structure the music in such a way that it’s fun for them. Like when they hear it, they’ll feel like they want to dance, (feel like they can sing it, even though it’s probably too old for them.”
It was then time for the Hells Gate family to take the stage. This segment opened with the Eustace Manning Pan Academy, the first point where inexperienced young players enter the Hells Gate fraternity. The band administrators stress that no opportunity should be missed to introduce young generations to the fundamentals of stage presentation. The audience fully appreciated their set, which offered a good mix of tunes. Notably, the Eustace Manning influence was evident, as several of his children are active within the academy and were on stage with the young people.
The Golden Stars, consisting only of mature members, reminded us of the timeless value of fine wine in their presentation. Bob Marley’s ‘Waiting in Vain’ and Rupert ‘King Swallow’ Philo’s ‘Man to Man’ were well-rendered, and as one walked through the crowd, a deep appreciation was evident, perhaps even a hint of longing among some of the silvers to join on stage. It would not be surprising if Golden Stars gained a few recruits after last night’s performance.
Rising Stars was next to the stage. I fondly call them “Manning Grandpickney” in recognition of the move by Hells Gate to develop a platform for the young elites of the band to do it their way. And did they in their set. I will complain, yes, complain, that I was waiting on a classic from them, a delight in their portfolio, but I suspect they were more focused on reminding the ‘big boys’ that they can jam. And did they. It was the perfect prelude to the showpiece of the night.
Of course, as expected, Hells Gate Steel Orchestra owned the event. In signature panorama night style, they occupied the entire stage. They were under the firm guidance of Sir Khan ( me nah tek it back) and sent a firm signal for Panorama 2025. Each piece spoke to an era of the Band or the history of The Point and another of the community’s gift to the world, Sir McLean Emanuel’s King Short Shirt.
The highlight moment, the release of the 2025 Panorama tune of choice, King Onyan’s ‘Crazy Man’. My immediate thought in full Point parlance was ‘if drop wud min hab one name’. Responding to my query regarding the tune selection, the band’s arranger Khan Cordice stated, “It’s a statement! You know, we fight here to see how we can better what we do, in the best interests of the youth and the best interests of the platform, and we believe wholeheartedly in togetherness and unity. But it has to be unity in the right way, and for the right purpose.
We’ve been here, Hell’s Gate, now celebrating 80 years, we’ve seen its lowest points in history and certainly its highest points in history, and we’ve been at the forefront in many, many ways of the development of Steelpan here in Antigua and Barbuda. And all we’re asking is that our colleagues all over Antigua and Barbuda, for them to understand that we need to be making positive strides forward.”
Khan noted that Hells Gate uses the panorama platform for a broader objective. “Our mission is to continue to push the boundaries of the art form. In pushing the boundaries of the art form, it transcends the music. It also has a lot to do with our involvement in the community, and playing our part in developing and sharing all of the good things that make us part of the community, like cultural ambassadors, if you want to call it that.
We have looked around and seen mental illness affecting a lot of our people. Some of them are naturally acquired, and some of them would have been induced. But we’re certainly losing a lot of males, too. And we’ve been affected by the mental illness. We’ve had members who have been diagnosed with mental illness in different ways. So, we will be using this platform this year to spread some awareness.”
The night ended on a beautiful high. Representatives from all the steel bands present joined Hells Gate on stage! Some showcased in short solo stints while others blended in with the final rendition of the night, our second anthem ‘Nobody Go Run Me’. And then, naturally, a fantastic jam with the Pont & Villa Iron Band.
It was an excellent tribute to 80 years, a celebration of the continued contribution to The Point as the mecca of culture in Antigua and Barbuda, and the spirit of unity that is necessary for real growth.
As we look forward to Panorama 2025, let us remember the unity and the change agent that the pan lit across our nation decades ago, and never forget that for much of our modern history, since the introduction of the steel pan to Antigua and Barbuda, it has permeated all facets of our lives.
Onwards to Panorama 2025!!