hotevents
With costumes donned, the band ‘hit de road’, falling in place behind the ‘Poison’ masband. Instantly, the crowds clamoured alongside, eating up the costumes and showing appreciation for the obvious care and attention that went into each one. The band responded in kind, happily posing for pictures. With the trucks banging out hit after hit like Machel Montana ‘Bend Over’ and ‘Advantage’, we almost forgot ourselves as the media professionals we are, acting as if we were part of the band. You can’t imagine the number of times we had to restrain Mr EJS Photographer from jumping in the middle of the Baccmass ladies! Okay, I’m exaggerating – he was the consummate professional. There were some shining stars in the band who kept the party atmosphere going from the minute the trucks rolled out and, a lot of the time, it was the wardens who were getting on down to the soca ‘riddims’.
However, while the crowds definitely amped up the atmosphere, overall there seemed to be a little something lacking when it came to the band. And it wasn’t just Baccmass; all the bands seemed to have lost a bit of their Carnival mojo. There wasn’t as much wining and wukkin’ as the Carnivals of yester year. The slowing down of the band movement along the route didn’t help proceedings much either. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun Carnival and I’m not taking away from all the hard work these bands put into it year after year. But I can’t help feeling that the newly imposed curfew and current events have taken their toll. At least current events didn’t stop the hordes of people who came out to support and have a good time. Even better, Carnival went by practically unscathed by violence (sadly there was one bad incident of a 20 year old boy being stabbed).
Notting Hill Carnival is a staple of the London festival season. Now more than ever we need to get the Carnival mojo back, and, with London 2012 on its way next year, it’s even more important for all communities to rally behind it. Let’s show the rampant youth and the rest of the world that Londoners know how to party. Londoners, it’s your carnival – get involved and let’s make next year’s HOT! HOT! HOT!
www.baccmass.com www.thenottinghillcarnival.com
12 hotminute mag
Written by Enam G
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