The affectionately called "first couple" of soca, Faye-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin were top performers at the International Power Soca Monarch Finals 2008 held at the Queen's Park Oval. Bunji placed first, Iwer George second, with fan favourite Faye-Ann Lyons third.
According to the Express, "Garlin worked the crowd of over 10,000 into a frenzy with his lyrical wizardry that was juxtaposed with pyrotechnics, acrobatics and other dramatic props. As the Asylum Band prepared to accompany Garlin, a gutted vehicle was hoisted over the audience at the left flank of the stage, leaving people to wonder if the car would be lit afire during Garlin's performance." This was all for his cover performance of "Fiery" by the late Maestro.Bunji continued the elaborate stageshow by welcoming on stage two of Maestro's family as well as setting up a large front page from The Sun announcing Maestro's untimely death. Garlin then proceeded to be hoisted in the air to sing the last verse with boisterous cheers and applause from the 10,000 on hand to witness the spectacle.
Faye-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin's wife followed closely in what was rated as the performance of the night. Most fans booed when it was announced that Iwer George beat Faye-Ann into third place. She entered the stage with a large cutout truck along with her sister, Terri, helping with back up vocals.
Lyons performing "Get On" also invited Peter Minshall's Tan Tan and Saga Boy on the stage to help with her spellbinding presentation. Lyons also took offence to the notion that the Soca Monarch would once again be handed to a male performer, suggesting that this year she will be the first female Soca Monarch. It would have been well deserved if Faye-Ann followed in the footsteps of her legendary father, Superblue, Austin Lyons.
Lyons said, "Bunji is the Fireman and Iwer is the Boss. I am the Silver Surfer," and she put on a silver headpiece while heading for the barrier separating the stage from the crowd. A huge silver surfboard materialized and Lyons climbed onto it, surfing over the audience while singing. She went as far as midway into the audience before the board was turned towards the left of the stage, Lyons singing her way out as as the people waved while shouting, "Get on, get on."
Iwer and Blaxx also performed to very good receptions by the crowd. Backstage Superblue commented on the presentations he saw for the night. He said it was an "out of this world" performance and Faye-Ann should win. "Not because she is my daughter but because she was good and the person she will beat is my son-in-law, it's one two," he ended.
