VIBRANT rhythms of steelpan and the pulsating beats of soca transformed Kingston Beach on Thursday evening, as hundreds gathered to experience the Pan Brass and Soca festival. Now in its third year, this signature event has become an integral part of Cricket Carnival, attracting both Guyanese nationals and international tourists alike.

Hosted by Trinidadian personality Daniel Loveless alongside Guyana’s own Gabriella Chapman, the festival showcased a stellar lineup of performers from across the Caribbean. Yet Pan Brass and Soca aims to be more than entertainment. According to Director of National Events, Andrew Tyndall, it represents a celebration of Caribbean music and has emerged as just one part of Guyana’s flourishing tourism industry.

The festival featured performances from four distinguished steelpan groups, with three representing local talent while some of Guyana’s best musicians took the stage. Tyndall, the event coordinator, emphasised that this eclectic mix was by design and resonated strongly with attendees.

“We had four steel bands, the Kunjaz Steelpan group, The Guyana Police Force Band, and the Pan Groove Steel Orchestra. We had one group from Trinidad, which was the La Brea Nightingales,” he explained.

He further added, “Then we had a mixed medium band from the U.S. called Epic Tone, featuring pan, keyboards, drums, and bass player with percussion.” The local talent was equally impressive, as Tyndall noted, “We had the Heatwave Band along with a brass quartet, and our local performers like Nekeita, Omaiah Hall, O.K.C., Calvin Burnett, and Adrian Dutchin.” The event’s highlight came from a feature performance, from the Temperature band from Trinidad and Tobago,

As the festivities continued into the early hours of Friday, the crowd swelled with both locals and tourists who had come for Cricket Carnival. This mix of sports and culture is a key strategy for Pan Brass and Soca, recognising that entertainment events play a crucial role in tourism development.

Tyndall explained that, “Entertainment is a huge part of determining the success of your tourism brand. People will come to see the Kaieteur Falls and bird watching, but, at the end of the day, they want to be entertained as well. They want to know a bit of your culture. These are the experiences that they will take back with them when they leave. So, organising events like these and the carnival in general provides an opportunity for us to showcase our culture, offering visitors another aspect of the Guyanese lifestyle to soak up and enjoy. We see it as a very crucial contribution to our tourism product,” Tyndall said.

The electric atmosphere at Pan Brass and Soca was the result of considerable efforts by the organising team and their sponsors. With robust support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Republic Bank, One Communications, and newcomer Hess, the event has evolved significantly since its inception three years ago.

Tyndall emphasised that the festival aims to reintroduce people to the immersive experience of Caribbean music, particularly steelpan. “When people come to an event now, yes, it’s a concert, but they also want to have an experience. The country’s opening up, developing. People are travelling more, and when they go to events overseas, the experience starts the moment you reach the venue – from the decor to the atmosphere. People now have that expectation when they come to events locally.”

The vision for Pan Brass and Soca extends beyond entertainment. Tyndall and his team are committed to learning from regional counterparts and elevating Guyana’s musical offerings. “I try to attend other events around the region, especially in Trinidad, to see what’s new, how they’re doing it, and how we can improve,” Tyndall shared.

He also emphasised a broader mission. “It’s not just Pan alone. We’re trying to reintroduce the brass band concept to Guyana. In the 60s and 70s, we were known for having top-class brass bands.”

As tourism in Guyana continues to flourish, events like Pan Brass and Soca not only entertain but also create lasting memories for visitors, ensuring they come for more than just cricket.