Trinidad / Special Interests / Music

By Stephen Thorpe

If Carnival is the lifeblood of the country then music is its oxygen, a relentless backdrop and borne of so many wellsprings of creative inspiration as to defy pure category. Anyone standing in the middle of a 200-strong steel pan band when they strike up on those highly-tuned instruments will feel the instant power of music, a riveting sparse sound, a signature Trini innovation among a lot of others. Music is a celebration of life, in its better moments; the soundtrack to good times and a myriad of festivals, and hard to ignore wherever you go. You’ll hear soca, reggae, calypso, rap, dancehall and all the derivatives during any stay in the capital, sitar, tassa drum and mandolin too. Even rock has a following in bands like Jointpop and Orangesky.

Calypso mirrors the history and heartbeat of social commentary stretching back to the 1700s when slaves used kaiso, a singalong rhythmic accompaniment to their work and later satirical observations in songs which the British took exception to. French patois was subsumed by English in the early 20th Century and regular paid performances took place in ”tents”, gaining in popularity into the 1960s with artists such as Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow until hardcore reggae took over in the 1970s. David Rudder resuscitated calypso almost single-handedly after his sensational triple victory in the 1986 Carnival with Bahia Girl. He also penned the anthemic Rally Round the West Indies, which cheered the cricket team for a good few years.

Soca is officially attributed to the late calypsonian, Lord Shorty who yearned for a stronger rhythm, a danceable calypso mixed with Indian overtones. Soca fetes are wild affairs in the two months preceding Carnival and Machel Montano, the undisputed King with great backing bands like Charlie’s Roots and Blue Ventures are in constant demand. Soca is seen as the ultimate party music and carnival’s central nervous system.

Steelpan is a testimony to Trini ingenuity, with bands of young men from inner city areas including Laventille and Belmont generating a unique sound from discarded oil drums in the Second World War and developing the genre into the art form of today, culminating in the richly awaited Panorama Finals during carnival. A visit to a panyard in the preceding practice weeks is obligatory to feel the national instrument at close quarters, the modulation in tone, the serious intent of the musicians and the work behind the scenes. Strong blokes wielding bits of metal and hammers in a percussive rhythm for long hours are the “iron men” support in every respect when the steel band takes to the road, true masters of their craft. (See Trinidad Carnivals & Festivals for more information).

Local Music performances
Music and Entertainment

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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).