Biden-Harris victory speeches take on a unique and impressive atmosphere

Music, cars and drones made for an interesting debut for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

US vice president-elect Kamala Harris and president-elect Joe Biden arrive for victory address after being declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware. EPA

US president-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden with vice president-elect Kamala Harris are joined by family members after Mr Biden delivered his victory address following the announcement of the winner in the 2020 presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware. EPA

People watch fireworks after media announced that Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden has won the 2020 election, in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

US president-elect Joe Biden gestures in celebration after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Jill, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband Doug, react to the confetti at their rally in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris arrives to deliver remarks before introducing the US president-elect Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

People gather to watch the speeches in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Gabriella Ziccarelli, 32, from Arizona, holds a US flag as she watches a speech by vice president-elect Kamala Harris, in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris speaks in Wilmington, Delaware, November 7, 2020. Reuters

US president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris gesture during their post-election rally in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

A person wearing a protective mask holds a 'Biden Harris' campaign sign outside Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Bloomberg

The presidential motorcade, with US President Donald Trump, travels through Reston, Virginia, after President Trump played golf at his International golf club. AFP

President Donald Trump returns to the White House from playing golf in Washington, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. AFP

President Donald Trump plays golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. AFP

A woman reacts as she watches speeches by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

People watch the speeches by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, at Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Confetti falls after US president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris delivered speeches in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

US president-elect Joe Biden with his wife Jill Biden, salute the crowd on stage after delivering a speech in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

US president-elect Joe Biden, wife Jill Biden, vice president-elect Kamala Harris and husband Douglas Emhoff hold hands while wearing protective masks during a post-election event in Wilmington, Delaware. Bloomberg

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris and president-elect Joe Biden stand on stage with family members in Wilmington, Delaware. AP Photo

A boy carries a sign with vice president-elect Kamala Harris at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington. Reuters

People watch a speech by Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, at Times Square in New York City. Reuters

A woman takes selfie photo posing with an extra edition of a newspaper reporting that Democrat Joe Biden is projected to win the 2020 US presidential election, in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters

The sights and sounds from President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President elect Kamala Harris’s victory speeches will likely go down in history as being both surreal and charming.

Because of Covid-19, everyone was wearing masks – something that will likely look curious several years from now when people see archival footage, but that’s not the only unique aspect of the victory speeches that made for interesting visuals.

The outdoor celebration venue near the Chase Center in Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, wasn’t huge, but it was large enough for vehicles full of Biden supporters – again due to Covid-19.

The cars and trucks made for something that appeared to be a cross between a county fair and a concert, but the overall visuals looked cozy and genuine, unlike the stilted acceptance speech look and feel politicians have perfected over the years.

In terms of sheer size, this clearly wasn't as large as the crowd that awaited Barack Obama's 2008 acceptance speech in Chicago's Grant Park, but it didn't need to be. There was enough going on to keep things interesting.

Some supporters sat on the tops of their vehicles, while others stood nearby waving flags to welcome Mr Biden, and the cheers from the crowd were definitely audible despite lacking in size of similar victory speeches. Various camera shots showed some attendees with dogs in vehicles as well.

Vice President-elect Harris was the first to speak, and Twitter users took notice of the seasoned politician walking briskly to the podium to the tune of Mary J Blige’s ‘Work that’.

Ms Harris gave a succinct speech, and introduced President-elect Biden, who walked out to a song frequently used by his former boss, Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘We take care of our own’.

Shortly after Biden’s speech, songs played in seemingly rapid fire succession. Tom Petty, Jackie Wilson, Tina Turner, Hall & Oats, Coldplay, Whitney Houston and others were all part of the rotation, an eclectic mix that left something for everyone.

Prior to Mr Biden and Ms Harris’s arrival, the crowd gained in enthusiasm as the motorcade made its way to the speech venue, creating a homecoming-like atmosphere for Biden, who has twice previously run for president, only to come up short.

The crowd seemed to realize and respect the methodical nature of Mr Biden’s accomplishment, and honks from the car horns helped to add another quirky and memorable element to the proceedings.

Mr Biden, 77, still managed to run to the podium when Ms Harris introduced him, and the crowd roared with approval.

There were the usual fireworks after both speeches, but in an added twist, they were complimented from LED equipped drones that spelled out “President Elect” as well as a map of the United States. The crowd went wild at the sight.

Adding to the plethora of visuals were projected videos of supporters watching remotely. Those supporters were impressively projected throughout the venue and onto nearby buildings, making for a memorable sight.

Perhaps the only traditional part of this particular acceptance speech came at the very end, when the families of Mr Biden and Ms Harris appeared on stage to thank the crowd and embrace the future leaders of the United States. Even this moment, proved more charming than usual, with members of both families dancing to the music.

Mr Biden was joined by his wife, Jill Biden, his son Hunter, daughter Ashley, as well as many of his grandchildren. Ms Harris was joined by her husband, Doug Emhoff, her sister, Maya, and various family members as well.