Eighty songs have survived the first major hurdle on the road to Lucian Carnival 2026, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions in recent years.
The Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) announced Monday that judges have selected the top 40 songs in both the Groovy and Power Soca categories following listening auditions held over the weekend. The successful artistes will now move on to the quarterfinal stage as they seek to dethrone the reigning monarchs and stake their claim to one of Saint Lucia’s most coveted carnival titles.
The list of qualifiers features a blend of established crowd favourites and emerging talent, signalling an exciting season ahead. In the Groovy category, artistes such as Ricky T, Shayne King, Ezra D’funmachine, Kisha Kay, Sedale, Mysterio, Vic Nation, Siah and Arthur Allain will be looking to capture the judges’ attention and the hearts of carnival lovers. Meanwhile, the Power category boasts a strong field that includes Ricky T, Hyper, Shayne King, Kb Official, Vic Nation, Kisha Kay, Mysterio and Sly, all hoping to deliver the type of high-energy performances that have become synonymous with Lucian Carnival.
With eighty songs still in contention, competition is expected to be intense as artistes prepare for the next stage of the process. During the quarterfinal round, each qualifying artiste will perform their song before a panel of judges, with only 20 performers from each category advancing to the semifinals.
The semifinals are scheduled for June 26 and are expected to further narrow the field as contenders fight for a coveted place in the final showdown for Soca Monarch glory.
The announcement has already sparked conversations among carnival fans, many of whom are debating which songs have the strongest chance of making a deep run in the competition. With seasoned performers aiming to reinforce their dominance and new voices eager to announce themselves on the national stage, all indications point to a highly competitive road to the crown.
The CPMC congratulated all qualifying artistes on reaching the quarterfinal stage and said it anticipates an exciting competition as Lucian Carnival 2026 continues to gather momentum.
