UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2023 ROUNDUP - METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA

Aug 12

Aug 12 UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2023 ROUNDUP - METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA

Metronomes formed in 1973 by Phil Dubique and Irvin Corridan, is currently led by their manager, Eversley “Breeze” Mills. Their panyard has been in Meanwhile Gardens, Ladbroke Grove, since 1989. They have over 2000 members in their extended family living in North Kensington and surrounding areas. Metronomes has contributed to this wonderful art form for fifty years.

They celebrated their 50th anniversary with a memorable concert held at the Tabernacle, Powis Square, London where all their bands from the children’s band to their stage side including One the Band featuring Kyron Akal and Kane ‘Tibbs’ Hamilton Mills delivered some melodic strains of sweet steelband music that had their audience mesmerised.

Metronomes performing at their 50th Anniversary Concert.

Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills – Vice Chairman of BAS (British Association of Steelbands). has injected a new vibrancy into the band, which comprises of men and women, young and old whose talent and dedication to developing their own individual skills are outstanding. These players are constantly extending their expertise and developing in-depth knowledge of the evolution of this musical instrument called the steelpan.

Metronomes teach and perform steelpan music, promote Caribbean heritage, and run projects to benefit local people. Metronomes plays an important role in the local Caribbean community. It brings families together, helping to reduce social isolation especially amongst the elderly and single parents. Metronomes is especially good at involving people not involved in education or other arts activities and has a long history of working with people who have frequent contact with the criminal justice system.

Metronomes offers free classes for all – Metro Academy, a beginners class for children; adult beginners classes; and rehearsals for established players in their stage side. More than 75% of young people who attend Metronomes go on to university, it has helped produce a generation of architects, athletes and doctors. However, it is resolutely focused on involving all young people, including those struggling in life. Metronomes leave no one behind.

Metronomes perform at various events all over the UK, from festivals to award ceremonies, including the 2009 Calabash Awards. They have completed international tours in Europe. They performed with UK Grime artist, Kano, for a Spotify Live Session for his song ‘Pan Fried’ and performed with him during his 2019 tour at the Royal Albert Hall.

Some of our other notable achievements include;

· performing for the BBC’s Songs of Praise;

· performing at the opening ceremony of the Channel Tunnel;

· UK Steel Band Music Festival winners, 1976;

· BAS Pan Explosion winners 2000, 2001, 2010;

· UK Panorama winners four times;

· Junior Panorama winners, 2018;

· and Notting Hill Carnival ‘On the Road Competition’ winners twice.

Metronomes UK National Steelband Panorama results since its inception in 1978 are:

Winners: 1979, 1981, 1982 – joint winners with Mangrove Steelband and 1984.

Runners Up: 1978, 1983, 1988, 1992, 1993, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

This year, Metronomes Panorama band will be made up of eighty plus players.

Manager: Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills

Arranger: Vivian Miller

Captain: Stephen Francis

Tuner: Toussaint Clarke

Tune of Choice: Engine Room by Olatunji

Contact Metronomes Steel Orchestra: info@metronomes.org.uk

Panyard: 156-158 Kensal Rd, London W10 5NB

Website: https://metronomes.org.uk

Metronomes at 2022 UK National Panorama.

There are seven steelbands vying for the title this year, Ebony – the reigning champions, Mangrove, Metronomes, CSO, Pan Nation, Real Steel and Southside Harmonics.

The event is hosted by NHC/BAS, and will be held on the 26th August 2023 at the Emslie Horiman’s Pleasance Park, Kensal Road, London W10 5EG.

The gates open at 4:00p.m. and the event ends at 12:00 a.m.

Tickets are available online @ nhcarnival.org/panorama.

Tickets: £20

Children - £7

Children under five accompanied with an adult - Free