Notting Hill Carnival 2023

[TopCat]

Just getting my self together before heading off to meet pals then Aba.

 

[ska invita]

Yes a lovely time yesterday, Solution all the way , weather great, sound sweet, surprise bump into a bunch of people, some nice randoms too, solution regular vocalists on form ( Neville grooves, clappas etc), hangover clearing now
Got caught out by the fact they've closed NHG tube station completely, used to be central line closed only, so walked from high street ken which was fine though.
Hope today is great for those out and about

 

[ska invita]

 

[Numbers]

Was a short one for me but absolutely loved it as usual. I so heart Carnival.

Came in and out from Queensway, didn't go anywhere except Solution but only stayed a cpl of hours, with an hour or so meandering.

Made a schoolboy error with footwear, didn't want to wear anything too new/clean so wore a pair of old Adidas which felt like flip flops at the end, lol. Feet are fuckin killing me today.

I had a cheeky bit of jerk but came home and Mrs Numbers had a right Caribbean feast on the burner. Jerk, plantain, macaroni cheese, rice and peas, coleslaw + the Solution playlist posted on the 1st page of this thread on the go.

 

[shifting gears]

I went down for a good few hours yesterday and got down to Aba around 1.30, was heating up nicely and not ridiculously busy until a couple of hours later. Had a stack behind us for half an hour or so but the top end felt very harsh on some records, eventually moved out of direct firing line and off to the side which was better and you still got the dread bass

Thought Aba was uncharacteristically quiet on the mic, but as the day wore on was a bit more vocal

Wandered over to Gladdy Wax for some lighter relief where some lovely more lilting tunes were being spun, before drifting back to Aba and then heading off about 6.30 to beat the rush at 7

To echo Numbers, I carnival

 

[Callie]

I went both days...first day was a bit of a mission getting there as trains were cancelled so had to take an unplanned route. A nice time was had mostly wandering but I had a panic as I thought I'd lost my card and the cash I took with me so bailed early. I'd just left both on the side at home.

Yesterday was better for me - some lads wandering through Croydon with their horns, blasting them as they went...i found it funny, fun crowd going up on the same train as me, chatted to a few randoms, followed some of
the floats, had a bop here and there



I always manage to get lost or stuck so didn't manage to get to some bits I had half planned to.

Long but nice walk back towards Victoria via Hyde Park. Saw some ducks.

Think I'm gonna try Hackney carnival next month too!

 

[Epona]

Think I'm gonna try Hackney carnival next month too!

Oooh, that appeals.
For a start, it's a lot closer to where I live rather than pretty much the opposite side of town

 

[ska invita]

Leicester got cancelled very late in the day this year....

 

[ska invita]

From the comfort of your own sofa

 

[Callie]

I'm bracing the weather for Hackney! Anyone else??

 

[ska invita]

I'm bracing the weather for Hackney! Anyone else??

How was it? A lot of police there I heard on the radio today!

 

[rutabowa]

I wandered down for half an hour, looked really good... they really sorted out the layout this year, hopefully it'll stay like this for good. there was a big police presence but they stayed fairly unobtrusive

 

[Callie]

I wandered down for half an hour, looked really good... they really sorted out the layout this year, hopefully it'll stay like this for good. there was a big police presence but they stayed fairly unobtrusive

Yeah agreed. There seemed to be a lot of police around but pretty unobtrusive and non agitational. The whole vibe is more relaxed, probably as it loads smaller than Notting Hill. Saw most of the parade.
Had a good wander around as is my standard carnival pattern. Solution was popular. I'm not sure I made it round all the soundsystems. Weather mostly held out. There were a lot more kids and families around and a lot less massive sardines packed crowds...none in fact! Plenty of spots to sit down and the noise levels were less ear bleeding I'm so old now



I took too many video clips and not sure how to post those but you get the idea!

 

[Epona]

Yeah agreed. There seemed to be a lot of police around but pretty unobtrusive and non agitational. The whole vibe is more relaxed, probably as it loads smaller than Notting Hill. Saw most of the parade.
Had a good wander around as is my standard carnival pattern. Solution was popular. I'm not sure I made it round all the soundsystems. Weather mostly held out. There were a lot more kids and families around and a lot less massive sardines packed crowds...none in fact! Plenty of spots to sit down and the noise levels were less ear bleeding I'm so old now

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I took too many video clips and not sure how to post those but you get the idea!

I must try to get to this next year, I had other plans for the day this year which got cancelled due to weather and forgot about this (I'd put it out of my mind when I realised I was double booked that day iykwim).
But it sounds ideal for another time - carnival vibe but a smaller crowd.

 

[ska invita]

Hackeny council website said no soundsystems and there was no email from Solution like when they normally come out I couldnt make it anyway but now Ive got FOMO

 

[Callie]

Hackeny council website said no soundsystems and there was no email from Solution like when they normally come out I couldnt make it anyway but now Ive got FOMO

Interesting! I wonder if that was a planned misinformation? Or maybe they meant no ad hoc set ups? I don't recall the Hackney Carnival social media saying anything about soundsystems but they weren't hugely active promoting anyway.

There was a bar (R&B) that had a big crowd and another set up that I passed on my way home heading towards Dalston.

Nice way journey for me with cats on the way there and cats on the way home.

 

[klang]

Hackeny council website said no soundsystems and there was no email from Solution like when they normally come out I couldnt make it anyway but now Ive got FOMO

Was gonna tell you sounds were on when the official map was out but forgot.
Shame solution aren't in ridley road anymore, that was a great spot.

 

[pbsmooth]

Sound systems were listed on the festival site

Hackney Carnival — Love Hackney

Hackney Carnival - bringing the best of carnival culture to Hackney

www.lovehackney.uk

I see Hype was down there

 

[ska invita]

maybe there was a subtle nudge campaign to encourage less non locals to attend

 

[ska invita]

vibes despite the rain

 

[Callie]

Sound systems were listed on the festival site

Hackney Carnival — Love Hackney

Hackney Carnival - bringing the best of carnival culture to Hackney

www.lovehackney.uk

I see Hype was down there

There he is!

 

[Callie]

vibes despite the rain

That makes it look really dark, overcast and rainy but it really wasn't that bad. A couple of showers, one intense but short one but also slithers of sunshine.

I nearly bounced some guy over though as I had so much crap in my backpack (umbrella, raincoat, cans, sunscreen ) when I tried to move out of someone's way I didn't realise he was behind me and kinda catapulted him to the side with my bag he was fine about it and uninjured

 

[Numbers]

From the comfort of your own sofa

Youth Warrior done another 5hr recording at Hackney Earth back in June too.

 

[Numbers]

I never get tired of listening to Aba.