Soca Rumble contenders during a recent meeting.
PHILIPSBURG--Carnival show Soca Rumble will have a new twist this year with a live rumble eliminations show. As part of their fifth anniversary, the eliminations are done by organisers and announced via the media, but this year performers will perform their selection for entry to the show in April.
The eliminations will be held at the Princess Port de Plaisance white tent on February 2. The show will be packed with 21 songs participating in the groovy section and 15 songs participating in the power section, with many newcomers bringing a variety of styles to the soca ring.
The winners of last year’s competition will not have to perform in their respective categories.
Organisers announced on Sunday that the reason for live eliminations is 50 years of Carnival and five years of Soca Rumble, and that they thrive on making it bigger and better for the golden year.
“Every year the fans cry that they would like to hear all song submissions, not just those that advance to finals. So, we are accommodating them by opening it up to the public. Artistes will just perform with track, and the grand performance will take place at the finale,” stated organisers.
Ten will move forward in each category to try to dethrone the king. There will be a panel of judges along with crowd response that will determine who moves on.
The finals will be in Carnival Village on April 24.
Tickets for the eliminations are US $10 advance (available at Van Dorp and Adolphus), and $15 at the gate.
The eliminations will start at 8:00pm sharp.
