The tour of local panyards continued on February 25, 2025, with Their Excellencies stopping by the Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra.
The Invaders steelband, originally known as the Oval Boys, formed in the late 1930s under the leadership of Stanley Hunte and Ellie Mannette. They practised at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain before relocating to 147 Tragarete Road, where they became a significant force in the development of steelpan music. Innovators of their time, the Invaders bridged the gap between tamboo-bamboo rhythms and the harmonies of the steelpan, with Ellie Mannette playing a pivotal role in shaping the modern instrument. Over the years, they garnered a reputation for musical excellence, with sponsorship from major companies like Shell and Petrotrin.
