I’ve been going to Notting Hill carnival ever since I moved to London in the early 1980s. It’s one of the things about being a Londoner that I’m most proud of.
Back then, it was very much a carnival of two halves. Daytime floats, costumes and pageantry gave way, after sunset, to the sound systems, accompanied by a palpable tension. Amid the night-time revelry, you would lose all your friends and make a whole new set as the music pulsated.
- Young carnival-goers on Sunday morning
With the gentrification of the area in the 90s came new laws and restrictions. Tighter regulations and the scaling down of the sound systems now mean that carnival is a more polite affair. But the energy and hedonism are still there, and over the past few years Europe’s biggest multicultural urban gathering has become even more of an open-air party-cum-night club.
This year – thought to be the hottest carnival for 50 years – has been different in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the recent terrorist attacks Londoners have experienced. As a result, people were even more determined to exude positivity and togetherness. This is an essential part of carnival’s character, and something I hope my street photography conveys.
Getting started
Carnival traditionally kicks off on Sunday with the “J’ouvert” opening parade, which involves a lot of paint. Sunday is more of a family day, quieter earlier on, with many people bringing their kids down to watch the children’s parade.
- A young girl takes it all in
- Dancing to the beat of a drum group
- Costumed dancers on parade, and a vuvuzela comes out to liven up the party
Sound systems
These MCs were performing a grime set with the Virgo International sound system on Oxford Gardens, near Portobello Road.
- A mass of speakers at a sound system under the Westway flyover
Refreshments
Carnival is full of people seeking refreshment in innovative ways, from a relaxing ice cream on Dad’s shoulders to a water pistol full of vodka and a splash of rum.
- A smoking street mural
Street dancing
As carnival’s parade of floats circles around the larger roads, people in the smaller streets party and dance around the sound systems, which attract big crowds.
- Dancing in a headdress – always a good idea
- A performer in gold and green, and dancers young and old
- The foam flies
Love Grenfell
The Grenfell Tower tragedy was ever-present at this year’s event, from the minute’s silence observed by the crowd at 3pm on Sunday and Monday, to the murals and messages visible on the streets and the people wearing green in honour of the victims.
- The minute’s silence on Sunday. Below: Sandra Narine, a victim of the Grenfell disaster, is commemorated on the side of a float, and a sign explains the closure of a local restaurant
Metropolitan police
Policing was heavy this year, with Scotland Yard estimated to have around 6,000 officers on duty. Generally, the atmosphere between the police and the crowd was cordial, with a video of one dancing officer going viral. There were 313 arrests across the two days of carnival, which was down on previous years, but followed a controversial crackdown ahead of the event.
- Carnival-goers get friendly with the 5-0
- The soca police, a group of revellers in fancy dress, keep it firm but friendly with their admirers
- A pair of police officers on the lookout, while a dog in a rucksack does the same
Romance
There was time for a tender moment or two amid the mayhem.
- A couple dancing on Ladbroke Grove
Nervous energy
The crowd were a little nervous, which was not surprising considering the increased frequency of terrorist attacks of late. In the photograph above, people are running away from the sound of a flare going off.
Friends come and go
People met friends, caught up with them, lost them and maybe found them again later.
- A group of friends relax outside a shop
- A man peeks over a wall from a back garden
- One carnival-goer is excited to find his friends
Party’s over
When carnival ended at 7pm, the sound systems fell silent. People gradually headed home – or to the after-parties – as dusk approached.
- The fun’s over for one party-goer, as another takes a breather
- Rubbish is piled up on street corners as people head home
