The highly anticipated 2026 State Insurance Panorama, a cornerstone competition of Antigua Carnival 2026, is set to welcome eight top steel orchestras to Carnival City on Saturday, August 1, as they vie for the coveted national title.
Organized under this year’s Carnival theme “Feel the Rhythm,” the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has now published the full official performance order for the event, offering steelpan fans a first look at what to expect from the night’s lineup. Kicking off the competition will be Harmonites Steel Orchestra, who will take the stage first to perform a rendition of King Swallow’s iconic 1988 classic “Fire in De Back Seat,” arranged by Aubrey “Lacu” Samuel. Closing out the evening of competition will be Halcyon Steel Orchestra, set to deliver a take on Ricardo Drue’s recent hit “Bet,” arranged by Lorenzo Hodge.
A standout feature of this year’s repertoire is the wide span of Antiguan and Barbudan musical history it covers, stretching nearly 40 full years from King Swallow’s 1988 release to Claudette “CP” Peters’ brand new 2026 track “Pan Man Play,” which will be performed by two competing groups. This year’s event also highlights the growing diversity of voices in the steelpan community: Dr. Zahra Lake, arranger and captain of Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, makes history as the only woman holding both leadership roles across all eight participating groups this year. Another key contributor behind the scenes is noted instrument tuner and builder Veron Henry, who has prepared steelpans for six of the eight competing orchestras.
Cleofoster Harris, deputy director of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, emphasized the unique significance of the annual Panorama event to the nation’s cultural calendar. “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,” Harris explained. Beyond the on-stage performances, the Festivals Commission extended public recognition to every person involved in bringing the competition to life, from lead musicians and arrangers to instrument technicians, captains, and volunteer support teams, thanking them for their year-round dedication to safeguarding and growing Antigua and Barbuda’s beloved steelpan artistic tradition.
The full official performance order for the 2026 State Insurance Panorama is as follows: 1. Harmonites Steel Orchestra performing “Fire in De Back Seat” by King Swallow; 2. West Side Symphony performing “Stand Up for Antigua” by King Onyan; 3. Panache Steel Orchestra performing “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 4. Original Steel Orchestra performing “Pan Man Play” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 5. West Indies Oil Company Gemonites Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue; 6. Pandemonium Steel Orchestra performing “Mad Mad Mad” by Claudette “CP” Peters; 7. Caribbean Union Bank Hells Gate Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue; 8. Halcyon Steel Orchestra performing “Bet” by Ricardo Drue.
For attendees planning to attend the event, tickets are priced at EC$40, and are currently available for purchase at official ticket outlets across Antigua and Barbuda, as well as through the official event Ticketing App. The full 2026 Antigua Carnival celebration runs from July 25 to August 4, with Panorama marking one of the festival’s most high-profile annual events.