Tobago / Special Interests / Music

By James Henderson

Tobago shares much of its music with Trinidad, its larger sister island, which is the home of calypso and steel pan (steel bands that use bashed out oil drums) and it is fun to go into the bars to hear the Tobagonians at play. In the hotels the usual mix of international songs, some reggae (from Jamaica) and other Caribbean rhythms you hear around the Caribbean, is served up along with calypso and steel band music.

You may well hear a pan player or two in your hotel, but the best time to see them playing is during the run-up to carnival (in January and February), when bands are rehearsing for the competitions at Panorama. They increase to more than 100 players. You can simply turn up at their yard and watch. One of Tobago’s top steel bands is Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra. With such stiff competition in Trinidad, it is a source of considerable pride that this band (which started only in 1991) has managed to compete so successfully during Panorama, coming 4th in 2002 and 2003, and 7th in 2004. There are players of all ages, down to nine years old.

There are usually a couple of calypso tents and these are fun to visit, although the singers are quite hard to understand, so it helps to have someone that can interpret and explain it all for you

A special music that you will hear at Christmastime in both Tobago and Trinidad is parang, which is played by a string band. The instruments used are the guitar, the cuattro, box-base and maracas. Lastly, you might come across an extraordinary sound called tamboo bamboo, which is also great fun to watch. Like steel band music it is entirely percussive, with drummers beating out a rhythm on African drums, and then an extraordinary series of bamboo poles of different size to get a different pitch. The result is a loud, but mesmerizing, display of rhythm.

Carnival Time in Tobago

Prev Next

Upcoming events

07 Jun - 14 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Various venues with a week of Celtic music, dancing, food and sport. This year's events currently include:

7 June - Pipers along the boardwalk on the south coast
8 June - Concert at Plantation Theatre, in St Lawrence Gap with the Peat Bog Faeries and
9 June - Food event - cooking demo by International Chef Paul Wedgwood at 11.30 am, Relish Epicurea, Limegrove, Holetown.A Jeep Safari Rum Shop Tour is slated for the afternoon.
11 June - Special 5 hour lunch cruise on Cool Runnings. Irish Night from 6pm at McBride's Pub in St Lawrence Gap.
12 June - Walk and Talk in the Flower Forest.
13 June - The Alan Kelly Gang in concert at Holders House - guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot.
14 June - Grand finale details to be advised.

Please see individual dates for more information.
07 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Listen to the rousing sound of Highland Bagpipes as the sun sets along the Boardwalk, on the South Coast (free event). Entertainment near Blaikeys Bar at 5.30pm by the Celtic Fusion dancers from Canada.

On the West Coast there will be live Celtic music at JuJu's beach bar in St James from 5.30pm (free event).
08 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

An exciting fusion of Celtic dance, rock, jazz, hip hop and reggae music by the Peatbog Faeries from Skye (nominated for Best Live Act BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012) supported by Sandra Macbeth and her band. Includes a performance by Celtic Fusion, from the Mackenzie School of Dance, Nova Scotia. Cost US$25/Bds$50. The Plantation Theatre, St Lawrence at 8pm.
11 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Special 5-hour Celtic cruise along the West Coast of Barbados on the 60ft catamaran, Cool Runnings. Cruise from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Cost US$80/Bds$160 which includes lunch, drinks, snorkelling and swimming with turtles.

Irish Night at McBrides Pub in St Lawrence Gap with Happy Hour all night and live music by Fiona Young's band. Tickets available at the door from 6pm.
12 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Enjoy a guided walk through the enchanting 50-acre Flower Forest with owner David Spieler. Bagpipes and Celtic dancing at a favourite beauty spot with views to the East Coast and Scotland District. Starts at 11am. Cost US$10/Bds$20.
13 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Irish folk music at Holders House Holders from 7pm, with the option of dinner by celebrity chef, Paul Wedgwood. Holders Season in association with Celtic Festival Barbados present The Alan Kelly Gang in concert, with guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot. Cost US$50/Bds$100 including drinks (dinner extra).

Browse Music on other islands

Or read our other island guides

Tobago’s weather

When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

Visit the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere
Head to Buccoo for some Goat Racing and the Sunday School street party
Scuba dive around Speyside and maybe spot a manta ray or whale shark
Try your hand at a day's sport fishing for the whopping Blue Marlin
Learn about Tobago's history at Fort King George, Scarborough

Tobago Events

View calendar