Renegades thrills at Barbados

CELEBRATED local steelband BP Renegades Steel Orchestra has won rave reviews from the Barbados press for its dynamic performance at last weekend’s “Sixth Barbados Pan Festival.” According to an article in last Friday’s edition of the Barbados Advocate, the 19-member pan ambassadors under the musical direction of Jit Samaroo mesmerised the large audience that attended the event at Sunbury Plantation House, St Philip, on Saturday, June 5.

The event was produced by Barbadian Mike Murray as part of the “Pan Week,” programme. Renegades, the article said delivered outstanding performances during its two 45-minute musical set in which the band switched genres several times without missing a beat. The band was credited for successfully causing patrons to give up their seats and move to the designated dance area. Its repertoire comprised Chuck Mangione “Feels So Good”, “How Insensitive”, “Tr?s Decos?”, “Waltz of the Flowers” and “Time to Say Goodbye”, before the band switched to a reggae vibe with Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.” Despite a slight drizzle from the skies over the idyllic setting the band continued its performance, but as Renegades was about to complete its set the rain came down.

The reporter said: “The Trinidadian steel orchestra BP Renegades held the audience at the Sunbury Plantation House so firmly in their grasp that instead of running, the patrons stayed glued to their seats and merely put up umbrellas when a heavy shower of rain fell during their first set. The band finished with a fitting rendition of krosfyah’s “Wet Me.” Renegades shared the spotlight with other artistes and it was reported that its musical texture complemented the offering laid down by the contributing entertainers at the concert. They were young Barbadian pannist Andre Forde, saxophonist Andre Woodvine quartet and another pannist Andy Narell.