Notting Hill Carnival: The Buzz

Notting Hill Carnival: The Buzz

25 August, 2009
by: Joe Harrod

Notting Hill Carnival is this weekend. We asked some of the musicians who are performing this year about their past experiences and what they're most excited about. They've got some top tips, and some not so good ones, about who to see, where to go and what to bring with you.

The Rumble Strips are from the wide-eyed indie kid side of the tracks, but still appreciate a soca street party – they co-host the Monday night afterparty at Paradise, By Way Of Kensal Green with the Rif Raf crew and oldskool hip hop DJ Big Chuck Reed. We also spoke to main man Tayo, host at the Paradise and the promoter behind the legendary Tracksuit Parties. He won't be playing, as he'll be having way too much fun.

Down the road from the Paradise, there's a mammoth all day Snowbombing launch party at The Mason's Arms. Snow? At Carnival? All you need to know is Justin Robertson headlines and we talked to funk/house maestro Russ Cuban and young gun Sauce from The Loose Cannons about what they'll be doing to warm up.


So then, how many Carnivals have you done?

Big Chuck: About 10.

Rumble Strips: Three.

Rif Raf: Many. Many. Many.

Tayo: This year will be my 20th carnival.

Russ Cuban: About 12 now.

Sauce: Think we've been involved in some way at every one for about 10 years now. I'd be upset if we didn't get a set somewhere - it's a Mecca for London DJs I think.


What's your favourite soundsystem?

Big Chuck: Good Times

Rif Raf: We try and check them all out but this year we'll save most of our energy for KCC and the Rockin Crew.

Tayo: Aba Shanti. Heavy Roots Vibes. Used to be Rapattack when I was a kid.

Russ Cuban: Sancho Panza and Good Times.

Sauce: You know what? I'm terrible with the names of the stages but I do always try to get down to Rampage at some point over the weekend. It has this amazing atmosphere down there; the way the buildings were designed sort of accidentally creates this brilliant quasi-Roman amphitheatre, with hundreds of people on the street and dozens more hanging out on these tiered balconies.


Do you follow the floats?

Sauce: I try to spend at least a half hour or so at some point during the day watching the floats roll past, just to catch the flavour, but I really have no clue who or what is going on from one to the next. Which is sort of how it should be I think...

Rumble Strips: What floats?

Big Chuck: No not really, I find myself a happy place and dance till i'm drunk.
 
Rif Raf: Hell no.

Russ Cuban: Not unless they're going in my direction!

Tayo: Only when I see a girl I like!


Who do you really want to see this year?

Tayo: Yoda at Paradise will be ace. Also looking forward to Major Lazer party.

Rumble Strips: Pass me the line up.

Big Chuck: Big Chuck Reed. Apparently there's an after party somewhere and he's putting on a killer set.

Rif Raf: Sancho Panza.

Russ Cuban: I prefer to stumble across things.

Sauce: Anyone and everyone. I am gonna make a point of trying to make it up to Major Lazer Sound System, which should be great. I'm pretty disorganised at the best of times so I'll probably get there too late in the end and have to party outside!


Which do you prefer: Family Sunday, or Rudeboy Monday?

Big Chuck: Honestly? Sunday.

Rumble Strips: Errrr Monday?

Sauce: Gotta say Monday! I don't have a day job so I never have to worry about getting back to work the next day - a fact for which I will be eternally grateful.


Got any top tips for things to bring or wear?

Tayo: Don't carry too much, don't bring your wallet, and you never, ever need that extra jumper. You just end up carrying it all  day.

Rumble Strips: Your dancing shoes

Big Chuck: Not your brand new trainers, and bring spirits otherwise you'll be letting go in one of the many public conveniences on offer i.e. front gardens. Not that I condone that sort of behaviour.

Rif Raf: Just bring your good self.

Russ Cuban: Whistles [Editor's Note: We disagree! Bloody whistle crew]

Sauce: Well, I'd say a whistle, but you can buy one of those on just about ANY street corner. Maybe ear plugs? Pretty lame I know but a million or so people all constantly blowing whistles at the same high pitch gives every DJ I know the fear! Other than that: wet wipes, a plastic poncho, sun cream, roll up a big wad of loo roll and stick it in your back pocket before you leave the house, water, moonshine [Jeez! Not taking Tayo's advice then]


What's your greatest Carnival memory?

Sauce: Running off to the Virgin Megastore in the morning of my first ever Carnival gig at the Westbourne. I'd seen Groove Armada playing on some TV show the night before, and I wasn't an especially big fan, but they were playing a cheeky new number called Superstylin' and I just thought, that's a great track, I really wanna be able to play that at Carnival. 10-odd years later and I generally STILL wanna play that track at some point. Turns out Tom and Andy knew a thing or two about writing a Carnival anthem after all..!

Big Chuck: Memory?

Rif Raf:The year our mate from out of town got the wrong end of the stick and turned up in a 1920's strong man outfit. All in one stripey babygrow, twisty moustache, the lot. Classic.

Tayo: Westwood under the Westway in the '90s. Absolute carnage. Exciting, dangerous and amazing music.


So there we go. Some practical knowledge, a couple of cracking after parties and the hot set seems to be Major Lazer under the Westway. Are you ready?


If you've got any tips or parties to add to this, why not comment below?

Twitter users can follow Carnival build up LIVE and give us the lowdown on news and parties via the #nhc09 hashtag.

View our guide to the Notting Hill Carnival
View ALL Carnival pre- and after-parties

Joe Harrod