In a move that has shocked London’s carnival-lovers, Notting Hill Carnival’s traditional J’Ouvert on Sunday 25 August 2024 (6-9am) has been cancelled.
Today’s announcement was made in a social media post from carnival organiser NHCL stating that this was “due to no official bands able to participate this year”. The message from #nhcarnivalldn continued: “It is important that those who were planning to attend to please refrain from doing so.”
For decades, J’Ouvert revellers have assembled at the Canal Way roundabout before 6am on Carnival Sunday. As dawn breaks, they have followed three or four steel bands and rhythm sections down Ladbroke Grove, under the railway bridge and back again, trailing clouds of powder and splashes of paint.
Last year’s event was a joyous occasion attended by hundreds of revellers. Cancellation is a severe blow for those who see Jouvert as the most enjoyable and authentic part of Notting Hill Carnival.
The announcement does not affect the dutty mas (or ‘J’Ouvert’) style bands participating in Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday afternoon. Anyone who has paid to join one of these bands should turn up as arranged. The dutty mas bands have nothing to do with NHCL’s early morning celebration. Your dutty mas paint, powder and chocolate are safe!
Questions…
The announcement raises a number of questions: why were bands unable to take part; what exactly is an “official band” (the term has not been used previously in relation to J’Ouvert); did concerns over police resources have any bearing on this decision?
We understand that the public announcement was made before members of NHCL’s Advisory Board had been informed. Some have interpreted this as demonstrating a lack of respect by the Executive towards the Advisory Board.
Poor ticket sales also mean that a large question-mark is hanging over the four evening shows scheduled for Opera Holland Park next week (Wed 14-Sat 17 Aug). There has been little, if any, promotional activity for these steelpan, calypso and samba events. The Opera Holland Park online booking site shows that all but a handful of seats on each night remain unsold.
The severe strain imposed on all UK police forces by rioting in many cities has also cast doubt on the Metropolitan Police’s ability to provide sufficient officers to cover Notting Hill Carnival this year. In terms of numbers, NHC requires more resource than any other scheduled annual event in the UK.
With no overseas guest artist booked for the Holland Park calypso show on Saturday 17 August and no UK Calypso Monarch competition this year, outlook for calypso-lovers would have been bleak without a trio of free shows booked for The Tabernacle (the last two are on Saturday 10 and Thursday 22 August).
The display of mas on the road on Carnival Monday will be much reduced, too, as several bands have either been banned by NHCL or have decided not to appear this year.
