9. Another shot from the ramp. Bear with me...I couldn't choose between a few of these. The flags sticking up fro the stage are attached to the racks and floats of the band before us, Skiffle Bunch.
10. It's wall-to-wall humanity at this point in the journey. The grandstand is packed with pan enthusiasts from all over the world. Our posse extends all the way up to the top of the ramp, where security guards hold them back until the previous band is off the stage.
11. I mentioned earlier the element of pageantry that plays a part in the spectacle of Panorama. Banners, flags, and, in the case of Exodus on this night, stilts dancers, all add to the action on stage. The band before us, Skiffle Bunch (who played "War 2004" by De Fosto, as did we) actually shot fireworks from the rooftops of their floats at the end of their performance to elaborate on the war theme. This photo was taken on the stage, as we were setting up. Members of our posse stayed with us on stage for as long as they could until security guards ushered them to the side.
(Photo by Julie)
12. This photo, taken from the grandstand, shows the presentation from the audience perspective. This was Fonclaire, the band after us, the last band of the competition.
13. After the last band plays, much of the audience leaves. But the bands come to the stage to mingle and to hear the results of the judging. Nine judges stand by at the beginning of the competition, seven of whom are chosen randomly just before the first band plays. The highest and lowest scores for each band's performance are thrown out, leaving marks from five judges (a total of 500 possible points). On the table, behind and between the two men standing, is the trophy for the large bands. The winner will also receive $200,000TT in prize money.
