Club Tip CMU Approved

Vigsy’s Notting Hill Carnival Tip

By | Published on Friday 28 August 2015

Notting Hill Carnival

It’s that time of year again – oh yes – the huge West London street party takes place this Sunday and bank holiday Monday. And even if we don’t quite agree with their press accreditation policies this year, this is still set to be a magnificent event. Sunday is the more relaxed of the days, traditionally being children’s day, while it all gets a bit more exuberant on Monday.

There is, of course, the traditional calypso, soca and reggae from the Caribbean, the always excellent steel pan bands, and lots of hugely detailed costumery. Plus the taste of the Caribbean is ever present: the smell of jerk chicken and curried goat (very very nice), or saltfish and ackee with rice and peas, is all around.

The Carnival also forays into jungle, ragga, hip hop, house and broken beat via the numerous soundsystems dotted around Notting Hill over the weekend. They’re certainly worth hunting down – and while a bit of planning is always advised – don’t be too rigid with that plan, ultimately it’s better to just go with the flow.

Of the 38 officially listed soundsystems, the five I’d really try to check out are…

1. CMC/Matrix and 4Play playing drum n bass and garage.
2. King Tubbys for excellent reggae.
3. Aba Shanti4 also on a reggae tip.
4. Rough But Sweet featuring the Rinse FM DJs.
5. Rapattack taking us from funk to house to soul.

Make sure you have a map with you, Time Out has one here, and remember it gets very crowded indeed, so keep an eye on friends and maybe have a plan for regrouping, because phone networks often fall down during the Carnival festivities. Oh, and take enough money because the cash points are often drained by Monday. And, given the forecast, maybe take your waterproofs too.

Meanwhile, let’s not forget the pre and post Carnival parties. Later today the Trouble Vision Carnival Warm Up is at Corsica Studios with Osunlade and Jay Daniel, while tomorrow you’ll find Don Letts and Fabio at Big Chill House N1 for Jamaica Rum Tings, and the We Love Soul (Carnival Special) night at the Scala in Kings Cross has Steve Sutherland and Norris Windross.

Sunday sees Peckhams’ CLF Arts Cafe host the Deadly Rhythms after party with Karizma and Alex Nut, while Dingwalls in Kensal Rise sees Mungos Hi Fi takeover for some sonic antics. And on Monday, Benji B’s Deviation sets up camp at The Paradise, and West Side Story sees Terry Farley and Barry Ashworth hit the decks at the Masons Arms. Oh, and Jamie Rodigan hosts a Carnival After Party at Notting Hill Arts Club too.

All in all, a great line up for an often underrated London tradition. Let’s hope the sun does shine this weekend on West London. And if you’re one of those Londoners who has never quite made it to this event, then do it, trust me, you’ll love it. Big Up Carnival!



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