‘Tribe of Twel’ reigns supreme at King and Queen of the Bands
In a dazzling display of colour, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling, Tribe of Twel emerged as the undisputed leader at this year’s King and Queen of the Bands competition, held Monday evening at the Sab.
The highly anticipated event, a centrepiece of Lucian Carnival, drew large crowds who were treated to an unforgettable night of mas artistry and theatrical pageantry. With intricate designs, commanding stage presence, and powerful narratives, masqueraders lit up the stage, vying for top honours and sizable cash prizes.
Tribe of Twel dominated both the Queen and King segments of the competition. Their presentation of Madame Vaval earned an impressive 431 points, securing the coveted Queen of the Bands title and an $18,000 prize. The band also claimed second place in the Queen category with La Wen La Woz, which garnered 411 points and a $15,000 award.
In the King of the Bands segment, Tribe of Twel raised the bar even higher. Their entry Unto Us a Child Was Born stunned both judges and spectators with its powerful symbolism and intricate design, scoring a staggering 453 points, the highest of the night, and taking home another $18,000. The band also presented Edwad, Wah Nagwit, an unplaced entry that nonetheless added depth to their storytelling showcase.
Xuvo Carnival Band also made a strong impression with a trio of imaginative entries. Their Angel of Twilight placed third in the Queen category with 409 points and earned $10,000. In the King’s category, their striking Ghost of Mas Passed, Spirit of Mas Future claimed second place with 409 points and a $15,000 prize. Xuvo’s Anti-Angel of Rebellion came fourth, scoring 398 points and securing $5,000.
Xpressions placed third in the King category with Papa Djab Toes, earning 408 points and a $10,000 prize, just one point behind Xuvo’s second-place finish. The band also showcased Papa Bois and the humorous Pay Banan on Donkey Cart.
Other notable entries included Fuzion Mas’ Zariah, which landed fourth place in the Queen category, and Royalites Extreme’s Queen of South Africa and King Kongo Lo. Island Tribe impressed with Meta and The Cyborg, blending futuristic themes with traditional mas elements, while Phoenix presented the evocative A Piece of Me.
This year’s King and Queen of the Bands reaffirmed Carnival’s power to fuse art, culture, and imagination into a breathtaking spectacle, one where stories are not only told but worn, lived, and celebrated.
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