NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
TWO YEARS OF PANDEMIC DELAYS
LOVE STILL REIGNS
ONE LOVE CARNIVAL
IN 2020, THE PANDEMIC CAUSED NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL TO POSTPONE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 50 YEARS.
From humble beginnings Notting Hill Carnival has become the largest community led carnival in the world and is known as Europe’s largest street event.
Notting Hill Carnival is deeply rooted in Caribbean culture. With influences from the Windrush generation remaining strong, the two-day event is a vivid snapshot of London’s modern and multi-cultural community.
Over one million people from around the world descend onto the streets of Grove (Notting Hill and the surrounding areas) every August bank holiday weekend to celebrate Carnival.
A collaboration of performances from street artists, sound systems, steel bands, trucks, Mas bands, buses, and live stages bring together a visual feast of all the colours of the Caribbean.
Carnival is more than a party. It is a celebration of Caribbean heritage.
With a responsibility to protect elders and the wider community from Covid-19, organisers took the event off the streets and created a programme of entertainment online to honour traditions.
Not only is Carnival a chance to unite old friends from around the city and beyond, thousands of traders, musicians, designers and dancers rely on the annual event as a key source of income.
The Carnival Arts Development Fund was formed in early 2020 to help support those in need.
There is a special chemistry within the culture of Notting Hill Carnival that makes the experience so unique. With 2021's event being the second year of postponement, we take a look at what keeps bringing people of all races back to West London every summer since the sixties.
ORIGINS
Matthew Philip - CEO Notting Hill Carnival Ltd
"The current racial climate in the UK is an indicator that Notting Hill Carnival, and the reasons for its existence are just as relevant than ever.
"Carnival began as a small community street fair back in 1966 founded by Rhaune Laslett, with help for many others, including Andre Shervington and his wife Barbara.
"Russell Henderson who along with Sterling Betancourt and Ralph Cherry brought their cans and provided the music and injected the Caribbean influence. Not just with their steel cans and music being played but by Russ’ impromptu decision to walk around the block, which immediately turned what was meant to be a street party into a Carnival parade.
"Carnival continued to grow through the decades, through the contributions of many people, including those who helped insure Carnival’s survival in the early 70’s.
"Leslie Palmer who officially introduce sound systems in 1973, Wilf Walker, who introduced live performance stages to Carnival in 1979, the list goes on and on.
"We truly do stand on the shoulders of giants."
THE SOUND OF CARNIVAL
Sound systems were officially introduced to Carnival in 1973.
Now there are 30 static sound systems playing everything from Reggae, Dub, House, Jungle, Blues, Hip Hop & Rare Groove.
Tap the images below to hear the sound of the streets.
The Mangrove Steel Band - Click to listen
The Mangrove Steel Band - Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Click to listen
Spotify will launch a dedicated virtual experience with brand new content showcasing the importance of Carnival culture.
This will include playlists curated by each of the official sound systems and DJ’s of the carnival, podcasts covering topics relating to Black culture in the UK and guest takeovers of some of the UK’s biggest dancehall, reggae, soca and afrobeat playlists.
Carnival Sounds 2021 will go live on the 28th of August.
CARNIVAL BY THE PEOPLE
A discussion with musicians, designers, residents and event organisers.
Femi Fem - DJ, producer & MOBO winner
"Now is the time for people to get together emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, even if we need to be mindful of what getting together physically entails right now.
"Carnival is about getting together through celebration and respect. It is needed now even more than ever, so I’m pretty devastated there’ll be no Carnival again this year.
"It’s such a distinctive, positive landmark in London & British culture. Obviously the roots are Caribbean, Trinidad in particular with the pans, but it’s Jerk chicken, patties, steel pans, floats with twerking Policeman involves all present in West London streets for the three day summer festival. We can only look forward even more to Carnival next year.
"Ultimately Carnival is a mouthpiece our multi-cultural nation so we celebrate the togetherness the unification it inspires across the generations."
Sophia Joseph - Wassiville Costume Director
"Two years of no Notting Hill Carnival has been heartbreaking for me.
"Many costume designers like myself plan months in advance for the occasion from carefully correlated concepts and themes to complex wire work and designs. All the energy that we have put in yearly over the last 50 plus years to be stifled at the drop of a hat is crushing, not only to the creatives who focus on designing the carnival but to the dedicated and loyal patrons who attend and adorn themselves in my designs.
"Although the climate has changed and the safety of the people comes first, not having the outlet to express my creative identity and share my cultural roots has affected has not only affect me but my community too who rely on such Carnival making activities as a form of therapy a way to socialise, learn new skills and to feel a sense of accomplishment.
"The Carnival is a symbol of freedom and resilience, love and harmony. The music, costume and food all play a great element in telling a cultural story and shows a part of history which resonates with many.
"My life growing up in Carnival has taught me the importance of knowing my Caribbean identity and the importance of sharing the knowledge with others. Notting Hill Carnival is not just for one, but for all, everyone is welcome and everyone has a role to play in the show we call Mas. The Carnival spirit can be awakened in all who seek it."
Chin Austin - Broadcaster & Artist Manager
"The experience of no Carnival has been really sad and annoying. It’s an event I look forward to every year for great vibes, great food, great music and to even meet great people.
"It’s an instrument in society that a lot of people have missed over the past two years, it’s an annual link up lol and no carnival just feels weird!
"Notting Hill Carnival to me is a part of culture, part of life for me, part of where I come from and so many who look forward to the parade every year. I’ve been going since the age of seven, so for the past 21 years cancelling out these past two years.
"My foundation in music started right there, right on All saints road in Daddy Vego’s ‘People's Sound Record shop', my Dad was playing that sound from the age of 18 and Vego and the crew were major shape shifters in the foundations of sound system culture and reggae music in the UK.
"A place that was one the original frontline in London and a time where racism was very much apparent towards Afro-Caribbean people, it can be now seen as a place where those from all different types of life and cultures can come together and celebrate real Afro Caribbean culture which is amazing!"
Gerard Williams - Mangrove Steel Band member
"Carnival means colours, celebration, music, steel bands, masqueraders, costumes, food, vibrations, drinking rum and celebrating the day that belongs to us.
"I am born and bred in Ladbroke Grove so all I’ve ever heard and seen is the build up to Carnival.
"I’ve played in steel bands, experienced panorama, I am part of a band called Mangrove where we make costumes and bring masquerades onto the road.
"Carnival means so much to me. It has been a massive disappointment that we haven’t had Carnival for the last two years.
"Without it there is a large empty space.
"Let’s hope and keep our fingers crossed that next year Carnival will be back on the road. So we can all celebrate and all be a part of this celebration of freedom, meeting families and friends, eating enough food and drink, bringing the party vibe to the streets of Notting Hill."
"I go to Channel One Sound system on the Sunday and I don't leave until the last tune plays on Monday. I can't wait until it comes back again."
"Of course I will miss Carnival again. Love all the different faces and colours. Freedom for two days release."
"From the days of Rap Attack and Mastermind, the crazy times of Westwood, Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Kim coming down, to Boogie Bunch playing at Rampage, it’s been wild. Being brought up in West, Carnival should happen once a month!"
"I can't remember many Carnivals I've been too. But that's not a bad thing, it means I had a wicked time."
Image credit: Harriet Daniels
Image credit: Harriet Daniels
Image credit: Harriet Daniels
Image credit: Harriet Daniels
Notting Hill Carnival brings in over £93 million of revenue to London every year.
THE NEXT GENERATION
In 2019 'Something To Hate On' threw a two-day party in Kensal Rise during Notting Hill Carnival that brought together a community of friends, artists and music lovers that will go down in the history books.
Their event is an example of how Carnival will evolve throughout the generations, but the message will always stay true - For the people, by the people.
CARNIVAL GOES DIGITAL
This year Notting Hill Carnival Ltd are working with partners including and the Kensington & Chelsea council to help deliver a programme of performances that can be enjoyed live and online.
From calypso shows at the Opera House in Holland Park, official playlists on Spotify, to Sound System Sundays at the The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, there is no end to the Carnival celebrations that can be enjoyed by all.
The events will raise funds for the Notting Hill Carnival Trust Fund and will support the Carnival community in bringing the celebration back to the streets in 2022.
Click here for the full programme of online events.
Built with Shorthand