Bridgetown, Barbados, W.I. - On Sunday July 24, 2022 the steelpan instrument was featured as a major part of the renowned Crop Over festival in Barbados. Captioned “Pandemonium,” the event replaced the traditional Pan Pun De Sand celebrations. Indeed, a serious statement was delivered to the world, as well over seven continuous hours of live steelband musical performances were presented, staged and live streamed to the world. There was not even as much as a three-minute downtime between performing acts; everything just flowed. A remarkable feat given the number of moving parts and people - literally that called on some audacious and innovative technological forward-thinking, stage production and show management.
Was it perfect? Oh no, no, no... There were enough hiccups, mistakes and gremlins to write a guide. However, the display of willingness and ability to meet the cultural, logistical and technological challenges with science, design, innovation and genius was indeed inspiring. Proper micing techniques and quality microphones on the steelpans were welcome contrasts to many of the disasters we have seen over the years in big steelband markets by people one would think would know better - or should give a damn. But with regard to some of the vocalists on the main stage being accompanied by the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra, there were crucial issues when their mic(s) were not functioning. Engineers should have had back up mics immediately ready for just such instances.
The MC announced that there more than 10,000 people present. And that was before the main (music) course of the night was served. The giants of Barbados music were still to come.
Crowd in front of main stage for “Pandemonium” at Crop Over 2022
The event planning, marketing and performance strategies were well devised and executed. The pairing of the large National Youth Steel Orchestra with the likes of Barbados musical royalty and current stardom like Peter Ram, Allison Hinds, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick, Red Plastic Bag, and Lead Pipe & Saddis among others, was brilliant.
Soca superstar Allison Hinds performs with the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra From a technological standpoint the structural, electrical, lighting, audio and video engineers engaged a host of high-tech tasks. For the first half of the show the bands were on mobile stages that moved via trailer into a set position. From there, the audio and video performance was captured for the live stream and simultaneously sent to two large video screens - stage right and stage left. Live streaming quality was consistent and superb, at 1080p with no buffering. An additional sound reinforcement feed was created for the in-person audience. There were many different performing combinations during the event - keyboard synthesizers, brass, combinations of the steelpan family, electric guitars, electric bass or pan bass - sometimes both, with the inclusion of vocalists. The video had multiple cameras and angles including a drone.
Drone view of Barbados’ National Botanical Gardens, site of
“Pandemonium”
There was a high level of musicianship for the most part. Barbados’ brass men ain’t no joke. But that’s another discussion for another day; embarrassing brass men of other islands is not the focus of this article. On the grounds there was a marching band featuring true ‘pan-round-de-neck’ players, brass section and drummers weaving through the crowd.
‘Pan Round De Neck’ at “Pandemonium” for Crop Over 2022
The Mission: One show - one shot - to get the whole nation, region, and world hooked on and in love with, Barbados Pan. Moreover, to inspire the youth of Barbados to see themselves as future steelpan musicians. Quite a charge indeed. And mission accomplished no doubt. All you have to do is listen to the crowd response and watch the excitement of the youth - both in the crowd and on the stage.
Hiccups: mics malfunctioned, and the show was too long. However these things do happen. The National Youth Steel Orchestra showed musical composure and professionalism while accompanying the vocalists - such as Nikita during her numbers originated by Rihanna, and Lead Pipe and Saddis - during the significant mic drop outs.
The Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra performs on the main stage at “Pandemonium” for Crop Over 2022
However, overall big up to this show’s engineers. Rarely have we ever seen a show dedicated solely to pan receive such care, support and thought-out planning. What engineers do to the sound of the steelpan instrument at many pan shows is unconscionable. What customarily comes out of the speakers is simply awful and insulting. No human in their right mind should relate to that. The engineers for Pandemonium did not go there.
Kunjaz Steel Ensemble of Guyana performs on the mobile stage at “Pandemonium” for Crop Over 2022
Notes: Kunjaz Steel Ensemble, the reigning Panorama champion all the way from Guyana was simply awesome. And many compliments to NCF (National Cultural Foundation) Festival Events Coordinator Karen Pestaina. According to the MC, Republic Bank has been sponsoring Crop Over for the past twenty years.
Kunjaz Steel Ensemble, the reigning Panorama
champion all the way from Guyana, performs at the 2022 Pandemonium -
Crop Over in Barbados, W. I.PETER RAM - Music superstar from Barbados - Known as the
“People’s Artist” performs with the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra
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