Halcyon Steel Orchestra

There can be few things that conjure up the spirit of the Caribbean with such vibrancy as the sound of steel pans. And in Antigua, the undisputed kings of the steel sound are the Halcyon Steel Orchestra.

Halcyon, have become an island legend, with hundreds flocking to their regular residency at Shirley Heights. Even Shirley Heights' famously breathtaking views take second place once the pans strike up.

Set up under a cabana, three sets of triple pans, three individual pans, eight red 50-gallon drums, a conventional drum kit of snare, hightop and cymbals, and a pair of conga drums make up the Orchestra. The pans are shallow, gleaming chromium and the basses look like the old discarded oil drums from which the first steel drums were devised.

Aside from their passion and extraordinary talent, Halcyon have set themselves apart from other steel bands with an exciting and sometimes unusual repertoire. From Caribbean carnival classics to more adventurous numbers such as The Lion Sleeps Tonight, In the Mood and Imagine, they can turn their hand to almost anything. But it's Halcyon's take on classics such as Rossini's Barber of Seville or Dave Brubeck's Take Five that really make them extra special. The orchestral arrangements are dazzlingly intricate and the players intense and infectiously happy. The band produced a symphony on steel, every bit as taut and disciplined as a philharmonic of strings and reeds.

Halcyon's 2004 album In the Mood (Caribbean Records) was unsurprisingly a best-seller in Antigua.

A Summer of steel in the UK...
Fresh from the colourful island of Antigua, Halcyon are set to bring their infectious playing to the UK, thanks to the team at Spirit of Antigua.

Playing at a number of venues in London and on the South Coast this summer, the steel band to beat all steel bands are sure to gather a whole new set of fans with their exciting take on some of the world's best tunes.

For more information on where Halcyon will be playing, plus details of how you can book them to play at your venue or event, log on to www.spiritofantigua.co.uk

Check out our Gallery for pictures of Halcyon playing at Shirley Heights in Antigua.