A dispute has erupted over the proposed scheduling of this year’s Band Clash and Band-O-Rama competitions which form part of the Anguilla Summer Festival.
The Anguilla Coalition of Soca Bands formally expressed “deep dissatisfaction and growing frustration” with the festival organising committee over its plans to stage the event on a Friday.
In a strongly worded letter dated 16 February, the coalition warned that unless an urgent meeting was convened and the date reconsidered, member bands may be unable to participate.
Get members-only articles and editorials, giveaways and discount codes with Anguilla Focus. Click here to join from just $4/month.
The coalition argued that a Friday staging has already proven detrimental, particularly for those regional supporters travelling from St Maarten and other neighbouring islands.
“While [last year’s] event recorded a reasonable attendance, the overall numbers were notably lower than in previous years, directly as a result of the Friday scheduling,” they wrote.
The bands maintained that Saturday has historically been the most commercially viable night, maximising ticket sales and regional participation.
According to the letter, last year’s shift to a Friday was communicated after the decision had already been taken by the committee, despite objections from the bands.
They said that while they agreed to proceed at the time due to the advancement of preparations, the arrangement was not intended to be repeated.
The coalition contended that this year’s scheduling announced on 6 February was made without consultation and represents a further erosion of trust.
“We must state plainly that this approach is deeply disappointing,” they said, adding that it also fails to recognise the bands’ financial and logistical commitments.
“The bands invest significant time, personal finances, professional resources and countless hours of preparation each year, largely without meaningful institutional support,” the coalition said.
The letter also highlighted a persistent “lack of meaningful consultation and communication” in the planning process, saying decisions that directly affect the bands are repeatedly made without their input.
They described this as a long-standing issue, with member bands often left out of discussions despite being central to one of the festival’s flagship events, calling it “unacceptable”.
“As the principal contributors… the bands expect, at minimum, to be treated as partners in planning and not as an afterthought in the decision making process,” the letter said.
The coalition warned that continued disregard for their feedback could jeopardise participation, not only in the Band Clash and Band-O-Rama events but potentially in other festival activities as well.
The bands concluded by urging the organising committee to convene an urgent meeting and signalled a willingness to work collaboratively if their concerns are addressed.
The Anguilla Coalition of Soca Bands is made up of Synergy264, Latest and XHD, Pantha Vibes International, XL Band, Trilogy 3D, Mad Mindz and BPlus Band.
A representative of Pantha Vibes International told Anguilla Focus on 23 February that the group had managed to meet with the committee and is awaiting a scheduling update.
Anguilla Focus has contacted the Anguilla Summer Festival Committee for comment on the issue.
