Soca semis deliver, stage set for finals

The battle for the 2026 Groovy and Power Soca Monarch titles intensified on Friday night as 40 artistes performing for chance to reach the finals on July 10.

Held at the National Cultural Centre, the semi-finals delivered an entertaining night of music and energetic performances as artistes made their final push to impress both the judges and the crowd.

The Groovy segment produced several standout performances, with Kisha K’s Done, Ricky T’s Not Kissing A$$, Arthur Allain’s Work on Pause (#WOP) and Shemmy J’s Everything drawing some of the loudest reactions from the audience.

The energy carried over into the Power segment, where Ezra D’Funmachine’s Salute, Shemmy J’s Even If She Crying, Bronx, Dhirv 2 Frunny & Mata’s Mad People, Sirlancealot’s Jusso, Sedale, Hollywood & Deevon’s Bring Your Cooler and Team Tension’s Actimo were among the performances that had the crowd fully engaged.

If audience reaction was any indication of who would advance, it proved to be a fairly accurate predictor, with many of the night’s biggest crowd favourites earning places in the finals.

The finalists are as follows:

With the finalists now confirmed, attention turns to the SAB in Vigie where defending Groovy Monarch Nerdy and reigning Power Monarchs Dezral & Jardel will look to retain their crowns. Five artistes, Ezra D’Funmachine, Kisha K, Ricky T, Shemmy J and Sly, will each have two chances at a title after qualifying in both categories.

Advance tickets are EC$60 and can be bought at 4circlestickets.com, The Cell outlets across the island, or Steve’s Barbershop in Castries. Tickets at the gate will be $80.

The article Soca semis deliver, stage set for finals is from St. Lucia Times.