Pan Trinbago's decision to separate small steel bands from medium and large bands for this year's National Panorama Semi-Finals has been warmly received by pan enthusiasts at the Queen's Park Savannah.
Of the dozens of attendees who spoke to the T&T Guardian yesterday afternoon, only a handful objected to the change in format, which saw small bands competing on Saturday afternoon as opposed to Sunday with their larger counterparts.
The change in format noticeably improved the efficiency of the show with the 14 medium bands crossing the stage well before 6 pm.
"We come every year to hear the big bands. This is excellent because we were here since 2 pm and would not have to leave late," one patron from south Trinidad said.
"I think it is excellent. Pan Trinbago did good this year. The music is sweet and the bands moving fast," another said.
Bands also appeared to set up and disassemble quicker than in previous years, only allowing riddim sections very brief interludes in-between performances.
While the audience in the Grand Stand was sparse as expected, the turnout in the North Stand was significantly smaller than usual, barely filling to capacity by late afternoon.
"It is very quiet this year. It is usually packed by now," Vince Charles, of Clay J'Ouvert said in brief interview.
Notably absent from this year's semi-finals was former president George Maxwell Richards, who passed away earlier this month.
Richards was a fixture at the event, even occupying a segment of the stand annually throughout his decade-long tenure.
The Greens section of the event, which featured live performances from soca artistes, was also poorly attended. This year, the section was shifted even further away from the two stands in an attempt to prevent noise complaints from steel bands and pan enthusiasts. It clearly worked as there was little interference during performances.
There were minimal reports of pick-pocketing, while no fights were reported as scores of police officers were patrolling the facility and guarding check points.
In a brief interview, acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Sterling Hackshaw said he was pleased with this year's competition.
"Whenever I am off duty, like today, I am here. I love the people and the interaction with them," Hackshaw said.