2016 Moods of Pan - 25-A-Side Competition - A Spectator’s Perspective

by Petra Williams - the spectator

published with the expressed permission of the author

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Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. -  To borrow a proper quip “Were you there?” If not, you missed an engaging event. One of three Pan Competitions held nationally, a staple in our creative arts and entertainment calendar. Seven steelbands, performing Christmas classics this year in Calypso tempo showcasing the creativity of our arrangers and the versatility of the only instrument created in the 20th century and in the Caribbean. It was a good evening with the right mix of good performances and opportunities to social and network.

Moods of Pan 2016
2016 Moods of Pan

The disappointments: Dean William Lake Party lot was not packed, lots of room for many more of us. This was difficult to understand – so many persons involved in the arts, in music, in performing yet so little support across events. An event that has been a staple on the Annual entertainment calendar – November equals Moods of Pan season. That Gemonites [Steel Orchestra] could have done more to publicize cannot be denied, however, for years now we continue to rob the event of the support it deserves. To compound the lack of support – despite Ministry of Tourism being a sponsor, our visiting guests were not present to enjoy quality local cultural performances.

Another disappointment – the purist in me longs for the day when all our bands are able to have the quality of pans that do not shortchange, in any way, the quality of rendition and arrangements on offer. There were some solid arrangements that were shortchanged because of the quality of the instruments. There must be an effort at the highest level to positively impact this for future events and performances.

The thrill of the evening for me was the composition of Harmonites Steel Orchestra. The 25 was comprised largely of the primary school-aged children from the schools with whom the Band is currently working. The arrangement was simple and repetitive enabling the young ones to showcase their knowledge to date. This thrust by Harmonites, on the eve of the band’s 50th Anniversary is noteworthy and a definite ‘Jughead’ tribute.

East Vibes Steel Orchestra exhibited a maturing of their presentation. However one had to strain to follow their arrangement as a result of below-quality tone of the instruments. Despite the continuous hard work of the band leader and arranger, the band’s ability to effectively compete will be hamstrung until serious effort is made to address the quality of instruments.

Greenbay Primary School’s performance also stood out. The arrangement was witty and included a good blend of Caribbean rhythms: calypso, reggae, French beats and fusion of old school and modern trends. The downfall, if any was the abrupt end, leaving the audience waiting, interrupting good dancing. There was no closure, just, done.

Panache Steel Orchestra, the opening act produced a steady and engaging performance. Their rendition was balanced, and a solid calypso tempo treatment of their chosen piece. Original Steel Orchestra was also in good form, but suffered also from the quality of the instruments used. Ebonites Steel Orchestra was very powerful sounding, but their arrangement was simplistic and did not include any memorable creative movements in execution.

The performance of the night was from traditional pan heavyweight – Hells Gate Steel Orchestra. Last night, Hells Gate came out to ‘play’: their outfit, how the instruments colouring blended with the tune of choice (coincidental but impactful) and the players dress, how the band commanded the entire stage. Hells Gate had the pan connoisseurs engaged from set-up as the discourse became ‘how come all the Bass on one side and the Double Guitars on the other?? One person sitting close to me remarked ‘dat boy Khan pushing the button again’. And the performance – not one Caribbean beat was left untouched: a fusion of everything, it felt as if we were on a ferry around the islands; a seamless transition through our Caribbean musicology, woven together with the hook, the Christmas carol of choice, over and over. Despite the non-conventional set-up there was a balance in execution and the flow between the instruments, the jamming section, sorry riddim-section, led the journey leading the transitions on the musical journey. If there was any shortcoming, the arrangement tottered over six minutes, but I only noticed because the timer on my watch said so at the end.

At the start of the evening, I declared to myself no Halcyon would dampen the event and I was looking forward to another Gavin Francis arrangement via West Side’s performance. Truth be told, seven bands is the ideal number, and if more bands enter there might be need for a pre-show. But at the end, I left satisfied. The maestro and our ‘father band – Hellsgate’ were in fine, fighting form. Personally, shortly after Hellsgate commenced their performance, my mind flipped back to an All Saints Secondary Performance a few years back arranged by Khan – King Obstinate’s ‘Jumby’ . I wonder if there is a way, I could get to see Hellsgate Steel execute that arrangement, some day. Pan in Antigua and Barbuda won again last night!! Those of us who were there have another excellent memory in our data bank!! Those of you who missed it, ‘See and be there next year’!!

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More on the author - Petra Williams
Petra Williams - AntiguaMy Ultimate Goal is to contribute an improved doing business climate in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean, particularly through impacting public policy formulation. My mission is extended to non-governmental organisations, sports and cultural groups/entities, with specific emphasis on their corporate practices and access of financial support.
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