OCTOBER | COVER FEATURE
A CARNIVAL
CLASSIC
Keeping Notting Hill Carnival’s core values is more
important than ever
Words: Tom Hall
Photo: Orville Farrell
otting Hill Carnival is still first and
foremost a community-led event, rooted
in Caribbean culture.
Run by a handful of dedicated (mostly
voluntary) organisers, and with no
headliners, the event’s vibrant tradition
is proving as popular as ever, attracting
more than one million people on 25-26
August, making it second only to Brazil’s Rio Carnival in size.
Whilst Carnival’s Windrush-generation influence remains
strongly evident, it has also embraced modern technology and new
genres down the ages. The event is also the only full-scale carnival
in the world to feature multiple static sound systems – a feature
introduced in 1973 by the then NHC organiser Leslie Palmer MBE.
The first stages were organised by Wilf Walker in 1979, chiefly
featuring reggae and punk bands. Early live stages featured
performances from emerging talents Aswad and Eddie Grant, but
the event has also featured electric appearances from the likes of
Jay-Z, Stormzy, Craig David and Wiley.
The festival is also a boon for the local economy, generating an
estimated £93m. Access examines the people and suppliers behind
this world-class event.
THE TEAM BEHIND CARNIVAL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MATTHEW PHILLIP
DIRECTOR
SUPPLIERS LIST: TARA HOBSON
STEWARDING: PA TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MCKENZIE ARNOLD KIANA WILLIAMS
STAGING AND
HIRE: MIA MAUGE
STEELDECK
LONDON
HEAD OF PR & COMMS
STEWARDING OPERATIONS MANAGER
TRISTAN HASLOCK
ALUMINIUM
DECKING: OFFICE MANAGER
ALI-DECK AMENA ENABA
PRODUCTION: ADMINISTRATOR
SMYLE NAOMI FITZSIMMONS
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