By Stephen Spark
Photographer Stephen Spark
Only Ebony and Nostalgia, plus a couple of iron bands – that was the sad reality that greeted the thousand or so revellers at 6am waiting expectantly for some steelpan to accompany the important business of getting covered in powder and paint along Ladbroke Grove.
For an early-rising hard core of carnivalists, Jouvert IS Carnival. In the mysterious, rather magical atmosphere of dawn, and with few barriers, spectators or police in evidence, the old, primal spirit of Carnival seems most alive and most free.
Usually, we have had a choice of three or four truck-mounted bands – Ebony, of course, and London All Stars and Real Steel have been regular performers. The variety of music and styles of playing adds to the interest; each band has its appeal and each gathers a crowd chipping behind and alongside it.
Replies
merrytones, I really believe with the right incentive we can create 8-10 hours on Carnival Monday for Steelbands. Just have to come up with a plan. We have 2days of Carnival, yuh want to tell me that we can't give a few hours to showcase the National Instrument.
This is the sad reality of the steelband today. only excuses.
Let's face it bro…That's what Panorama does...