Based in Coventry, the band has performed at numerous prestigious events, such as Notting Hill Carnival and Caribbean Carnival Extravaganzas in Morecambe, Newcastle and Arundel. As well as taking part in all of the UK carnivals, the band performed before HM the Queen in 1985 and have also performed at such fine venues as Symphony Hall, Fairfield Hall and The Wembley Conference Centre. Phase One is no stranger to television, they have made a number of TV appearances on shows such as Stop, Look & Listen, Emu’s World, Play for Today, Pebble Mill at One, The Holiday Programme, Songs of Praise (Performing for Bishop Desmond Tutu). Children in Need, Style Challenge and Going Live.
The band have also toured, visiting Germany on two occasions, Hong Kong, Trinidad and Tobago, and more recently Spain-Barcelona (2007), France-Paris (2009), Italy- Lake Garda (2011) and Belgium (2014 and 2016).
August 2017 saw Phase One return to the National Panorama competition in London for the first time in 30 years. Performing “Hold Dat Panstick” originally by K.Y.L.E and arranged by Stephon Phillip, we placed joint 5th in the competition.
In 2018, we returned the the UK’s panorama competition, this time with a rendition of ‘Hulk’ by Blaxx. The tune was arranged by Stephon Phillip, the pans were tuned by Victor Phillip and our band captain was our late dear friend JJ Mattu.
And in 2019, we went to the competition once again, performing ‘Savannah Grass’ by Kes. Once again arranged by Stephon Phillip, pans tuned by Victor Phillip and Norman Stewart and captained by JJ Mattu.
With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting in 2020, Phase One has not yet returned to the Panorama competition – however we plan to in the near future!
Phase One – ‘Thank You’
In the lockdowns of 2020, our band leader, Stephon, wrote a song to say thank you to all of the key workers who were keeping the country going. The nurses, doctors, posties, sanitary workers, supermarket staff… all of them kept the country on its feet! Listen to the song and watch our (virtual) performance here 🙂
Amongst other lockdown endeavours, we also covered one of the band’s favourite songs: ‘Toast’ by Koffee. Arrangement by Stephon, audio and visual editing by Riann. Watch/listen below 🙂