Phase II, Despers, Exodus biggest threat to champs

THE Queen’s Park Savannah will come alive tomorrow when 12 of the country’s national steel bands will come up against defending champs Neal and Massy All Stars for the 2003 Panorama title. The competition begins at 7 pm.

All Stars is expected to get the biggest challenge from WITCO Desperadoes, Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove and Exodus, who all topped the semi-final round. NLCB Fonclaire will lead the bands with Nutones and Desperadoes playing in second and third positions. The order of appearance of the other nine bands is, Solo Pan Knights, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars, Tropical Angel Harps, RBTT Redemption Sound Setters, Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove, Excellent Stores Silver Stars, TCL Group Skiffle Bunch, BP Renegades, Birdsong  and Exodus. The bands will be entering the Savannah from the eastern end or the Track and exiting through Pan Trinbago’s western village. Tonight, 11 single pan bands will challenge reigning champions “Shades in Steel” for the 2003 title, when the final is held at the Arima Basketball court from 7 pm. The order of appearance will be - San Juan East Side Symphony, Peake Yacht Services Scrunters Pan Groove, La Horquetta Pan Groove, Arima All Stars, Trinidad Nostalgic, Shades in Steel, Laventille Serenaders, T&T Defence Force, Woodbrook Playboyz, Gonzales Sheikers and La Creole Pan Groove. On Sunday pan lovers will get the opportunity to hear more of their favourite bands when the 40th anniversary of pan competition is held at the Queens’s Park Savannah, PoS from 7 pm. The bands that will compete and their order of appearance are Nutones, Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove, Exodus, BWIA Invaders, Our Boys and Solo Pan Knights. The bands will each be playing a song from 1963-2003.