POND ISLAND--The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has taken yet another step in giving the local Carnival bands extra exposure through activities around Carnival time. The foundation will host the SCDF Band Clash on April 10, on what is commonly called the TelEm parking lot across from Festival Village on Pond Island.
The event will feature six of the island’s most popular Carnival bands: The Bhan Pure, Xplosion, 4M HD, Official Band, XP HD, Strike Up and No Limit Band. The Foundation said there is room for two more bands but is ready and excited to proceed with this line-up of jam bands. The event is free of charge.
The criteria for the Band Clash are very straightforward, but with strict emphasis on local music.
Bands must play a 20-minute set, which must consist of the SCDF Classic Pick and other local songs.
The SCDF Classic Pick will be a local song chosen by SCDF.
Each band must start their set with The Classic Pick, played as it should be in its original recording. Bands must perform the intro, first verse and one chorus of the song as the original, after which the song can be played in the band’s own style and rendition.
After the Classic Pick the Band can continue its set with any set of local and original songs. Bands may play songs from other bands once the songs are considered local. There is a maximum of 100 points to be allotted towards Band of the Year totals by participating in Band Clash.
SCDF has also chosen to go with the traditional way of “clashing” between bands on St. Maarten. They will clash on trucks. The trucks will be positioned in a circular fashion, with the rear speakers out towards the crowd.
“This is the way we clashed back in the day in the old Carnival Village and this is the way we will clash again. There is something about being on a trailer and jamming that can’t be replaced. We thought it was important to bring that back,” SCDF said.
“We have been doing a lot to make our bands one of the centre attractions of Carnival. We believe they can be as good and entertain as good as any foreign band. It’s their Carnival and as such they should be featured. This Band Clash with only local bands re-enforces that belief and we hope everyone comes out to support their favourite local band.”
