Eight steel orchestras will compete for the national Panorama title when the State Insurance Panorama 2026 takes place at Carnival City on Saturday, Aug. 1.
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has released the official order of appearance for the competition, which forms part of Antigua Carnival 2026 under the theme “Feel the Rhythm.”
Harmonites Steel Orchestra will open the show with King Swallow’s 1988 classic “Fire in De Back Seat,” arranged by Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel. Halcyon Steel Orchestra will close the competition with Ricardo Drue’s “Bet,” arranged by Lorenzo Hodge.
The selections span nearly four decades of Antiguan and Barbudan music, from King Swallow’s 1988 release to Claudette “CP” Peters’ 2026 song “Pan Man Play.”
Dr. Zahra Lake, arranger and captain of Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, is the only woman serving in both roles in this year’s competition. Tuner and builder Veron Henry prepared instruments for six of the eight participating orchestras.
“Panorama is the one night in the Carnival calendar where the country hears what a full year of work inside a panyard actually sounds like,” said Cleofoster Harris, deputy director of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission.
The official order of appearance is:
- Harmonites Steel Orchestra — “Fire in De Back Seat” by King Swallow
- West Side Symphony — “Stand Up for Antigua” by King Onyan
- Panache Steel Orchestra — “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters
- Original Steel Orchestra — “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters
- West Indies Oil Company Gemonites Steel Orchestra — “Bet” by Ricardo Drue
- Pandemonium Steel Orchestra — “Mad Mad Mad” by Claudette “CP” Peters
- Caribbean Union Bank Hells Gate Steel Orchestra — “Bet” by Ricardo Drue
- Halcyon Steel Orchestra — “Bet” by Ricardo Drue
The Festivals Commission praised the musicians, arrangers, tuners, builders, captains and support teams for their year-round contribution to preserving the steelpan art form in Antigua and Barbuda.
Tickets cost EC$40 and are available at ticket outlets across the country and through the Ticketing App. Antigua Carnival 2026 runs from July 25 to Aug. 4.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Eight Steel Orchestras to Compete in State Insurance Panorama 2026.