
Notting Hill Carnival: a preview
Founded in 1965, Notting Hill Carnival is the largest celebration of its kind in Europe - a two-day party on the streets of Notting Hill every August. Expect an even bigger celebration of floats, calypso, soca, pan bands, mas and delicious food this year if you're heading down.
But before we start, here is one request we ask of you - we want your photos. If you're heading down and using Instagram or Twitter, please tag @MOBOAwards in your photos and we'll put your best shots in our gallery on Tuesday! We want to showcase to the world just how great this weekend is.
Wether you're a Carnival regular or newcomer, we've got some great tips for you...
How to get there:
The carnival starts at 9am on both days (Family Day, August 26th and also Monday August 27th), so make sure to leave plenty of time to get there. Travel to and from Notting Hill will be heavily congested.
Tube: Notting Hill Gate will be exit only on both days between 12pm and 7pm, and the Circle and District line trains will not be stopping during these hours. Ladbroke Grove station will be closed throughout the carnival; Latimer Road will be closing at11.30pm both days; Royal Oak will be Exit Only on August 26-27th between 11am and 6pm and Westbourne Park will be Exit Only on August 26-27th between 11am and 6pm. Other nearby stations include: Paddington, Bayswater, High Street Kensington, Holland Park, Queen’s Park and Shepherd’s Bush.Bus: Some bus routes will be disrupted or on diversion.
What to see, what to experience, what to eat, what to feel:
You'll be spoilt for choice for soundsystems, be it roots-reggae, RnB, dub, drum 'n' bass, bashment or funky house you're after. Time Out have produced an indisposable map, a great print-and-keep A4 to refer to if you lose your friends or fancy running off on a quest for something new.
Soundsystems (via the official Carnival website):
4 PLAY Music policy: across the board Location: West Row near junction with Kensal Road
ABA SHANTI Music policy: Roots Rock Reggae, Dub Location: East Row (junction with Southern Row)
PINEAPPLE TRIBE Music policy: Techno Break beats Location: Junction of Ledbury Road and Lonsdale Road
G I ROADSHOW Music policy: Reggae, Bashment, Salsa, R&B Location: Adela Street
CHANNEL ONE Music policy: Strictly Roots & Culture Location: Leamington Rd Villas outside 176 Westbourne Park RdC
MC/MATRIX Music policy: Drum & Bass Location: All Saints Road opposite Pelican
PHCONFUSION Music policy: Soulful House, Garage Location: St Luke’s Road facing Lancaster Road
DIFFERENT STROKES Music policy: Reggae, R&B, Revival, Hip-Hop, Soca Location: Anderson Street
DISYA JENERATION Music policy: across the board Location: Powis Terrace outside no.12 (stall o/s no.19)
GAZ’S ROCKIN’ BLUES Music policy: Classic Ska, Revival, New Orleans R&B Location: Talbot Road outside no.103
GLADYS WAX ROAD SHOW Music policy: Roots & Culture, Reggae, Ska. Location: Portobello Road adjacent to nos. 304/306
GOOD TIMES Music policy: Funky House, Disco Classics, Rare Groove, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Reggae. Location: Southern Row / West Row (on precinct)
KING TUBBY’s Music policy: Reggae, Dancehall, Bashment, R&B Location: Southern Row / West Row (on precinct)
JAH OBSERVER Music policy: Roots & Culture Location: junction of Ledbury Road and Talbot Road
KCC & THE ROCKING CREW Music policy: US House (old & new), House Anthems Location: Wornington Road
KILLER WATT Music policy: across the board Location: St. Luke’s Road outside Metro Club
LATIN RAVE STREET JAM Music policy: Latin, Salsa…Location: Portobello Road outside no.335
LEVEL VIBES Music policy: Uplifting House, 70s 80s Location: Oxford Gardens facing St. Lawrence Terrace
LORD GELLYS Music policy: Reggae, R&B, Soca Location: Cambridge Gardens outside no.47
LOVE TKO Music policy: Reggae, R&B, Soca, Hip-Hop Location: Golborne Road
MANGROVE SOUND Music policy: Soca Location: All Saint’s Road outside no.3
MASTERMIND ROADSHOW Music policy: Upfront R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, Old Skool, Reggae Location: Canal Way (Canalside House)
MELLOTONE Music policy: Soul, Ragga, R&B, Revival Location: Telford Road near junction with Lionel Mews
QUAKERMAS Music policy: Ragga, R&B, Hip-Hop, House, Garage, Jungle, Roots Location: junction of Ledbury Road and Westbourne Park Road
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 747 Music policy: Reggae, Soca, SoulLocation: Middle Row
G.T. FLEXMusic policy: R&B, Soul, Ragga, Revival, Old Skool Location: junction of Aldridge Road Villas and Westbourne Park Road
NASTY LOVE MIXING LAB Music policy: Ragga, Dancehall, R&B, Hip-Hop Location: Colville Gardens (middle)
RAMPAGE Music policy: across the board Location: junction of Colville Gardens and Colville Terrace, outside no.1
RAPATTACK Music policy: Soul, funk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Garage, Old Skool 70,s 80’s Classics, Rare Groove Location: All Saint’s Road outside no.23
ROUGH BUT SWEET Music policy: Reggae, R&B, Revival, Lovers, Garage Location: Conlan Street / East Row
SANCHO PANZA Music policy: Funky House Location: Middle Row
SAXON SOUND Music policy: Ragga, Reggae Location: St. Lawrence Terrace north of junction withChesterton Rd
HIGH ON HOPE Music policy: Hip- Hop & Classic Garage Location: Bonchurch Road, junction with Portobello Rd
SIR LLOYD Music policy: R&B, Reggae Location: junction of Tavistock Road and Leamington Road Villas, outside no.54
SIR VALDEZ Music policy: R&B, Hip-Hop, Ragga Location: Golborne Rd on precinct, at back of Prince Arthur
See you there?









