With the power of “Hulk” Andre White leads Mangrove Steelband to 9th UK Panorama Championship - 2018 UK Panorama Results

London, United Kingdom - All varieties of ‘Hulk’ in Mangrove Steelband, clad in white with green Hulk impressions on white T-Shirts, made their might felt when they took center stage on the evening of Saturday August 25 in London.  As the eventual 2018 UK Steelband Panorama champions, Mangrove staved off its five challengers for the coveted trophy and top spot.  Playing in position one is always regarded as a tough one to triumph from, but for Mangrove it turned out to be a ‘walk in the park.’

The veteran music organization boasting ninety players whipped up a musical frenzy, dishing out a fiery rendition of Blaxx’s Hulk as arranged by champion arranger Andre White. He has worked with Mangrove seven out of the last eight years, setting out in 2011 and delivering the title in his first outing, second and third placings thereafter, and now the championship once again.

The crowd punctuated the performance of the now-nine-time champion band with cheers, whistles and applause. Like most great Panorama performances, a flag woman is an inherent part of the presentation arsenal, and Mangrove’s Dara Houston, dressed in matching attire, was more than capable and as awesomely funky as they come.  The orchestra opened the Panorama with a bang and set the bar for the other competitors to aspire to, finishing up their showcase at around 7:35 p.m. local time.

After a period during which the staging area was checked, Croydon Steel Orchestra in vibrant candy-colored T-Shirts and white pants had their turn beginning 8:05 p.m. Paul Dowie wore two hats as both manager and arranger. As the latter he ensured that Patrice Roberts’ Sweet Fuh Days got a sweet and melodious ‘coating,’ leading to the enjoyment of players and the audience alike.

The venue’s lights had actually gone on during Croydon’s performance and now were in full evidence as Phase One Steel Orchestra struck up at 8:53 p.m., getting into their musical groove. They were the second of three of the six bands opting to go with Hulk. Dressed in black with green ‘Hulk’ impressions on their T-Shirts, and ‘Hulk’ faces on their racks - Phase One moved through their musical paces of Stephon Phillip’s arrangement of the piece. The band took the show up to the half-way point when they ended just after 9:00.

There was definitely a chill in the air as attendees were generally clad in hats and coats, while the steel orchestras basically had taken their chances when they planned to sport T-Shirts for Panorama night.  With tune of choice Mad Man written and performed by Marlon Abner, RASPO played next in position four. Being the smallest band in the Panorama competition with thirty-five players, they had been quick to set up, with players energized, bopping in place and raring to go.  Party Caribbean which was valiantly streaming live on YouTube had difficulties with the stream and unfortunately the majority of RASPO’s live performance was not available - as had occurred in part previously with Mangrove. Fortunately for the rest of the evening, they sorted out the issues and the stream was fine thereafter.

It was not until circa 10:17 p.m. that the largest band for the evening, Metronomes Steel Orchestra, in orange tops and white pants - struck their first notes. With one hundred and five players, the band took a very long time to set up in preparation for their delivery of Ignorance, sung by "Crazy" and written by the UK’s own Mighty Jamma. The latter was front and center with Metronomes for some time as the band performed his 2018 piece.

Ebony Steelband the final orchestra of the night in the musical spotlight, stepped up to defend its crown to the delight of their throngs of supporters. Shortly after 11:00 p.m. musicians in light green shirts and navy bottoms unveiled Duvone Stewart’s musical vision of Hulk, serving up a selection that was a bit laid back but tight in execution. This is Duvone’s fourth year with Ebony, and the collaboration had looked forward to a fourth consecutive championship, but it was not to be this time around. Still, the musical prowess of Ebony was not to be denied at least second place overall.

Judges for the competition were Andy Narell, Annise “Halfers” Hadeed, June Bacchus Ifill, Ray Holman and Robert Bailey. Embattled Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz had the honor of presenting the trophy to champions Mangrove. The annual UK Panorama has not been able to afford dispensing cash prizes for years, and the competing orchestras come out for the mad passion of pan music, the love of culture and ultimately, a chance of championship bragging rights. This year however with the Panorama being held inside Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park rather than outside, it was a ‘ticketed event’ and the gate receipts of 11,495 pounds are reportedly to be divided among the six participating music organizations.  For the record, Notting Hill Carnival reportedly contributes ninety-three - 93 - million pounds to the London economy - source: London Live.

Photographers & videographers—homegrown and “professional” alike—continued to be a severe distraction at times, and egregious for the more popular bands.  See last year’s behavioral patterns.  BAS (British Association of Steelbands) which organizes the event does yeoman’s service in supporting, promoting and facilitating the UK Panorama annually. It would therefore be such an honor for this visual presentation of musical pageantry - a culmination of the steel orchestras’ and musicians’ labor of love - to be given the respect it deserves, especially when on the international stage - as it is when being streamed to the rest of the world. Maybe next year?

In the meantime congratulations to all the participating bands and membership, for the hard work put in over long hours, days and nights in preparation for Panorama, sometimes in challenging situations and environments. And kudos to the music lovers who turned out in support, as well as to the respective communities continually supporting the art form.

  

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