GROOVES: Diplo is set to headline the Red Bull Music Academy’s Notting Hill Carnival party
Diplo is set to headline the Red Bull Music Academy’s Notting Hill Carnival party
Published: 23 April, 2012
by ROISIN GADELRAB
I’ve looked for so many excuses to get Sean Paul on this page, but he never seems to play around here – until now, sort of.
Sean Paul joins headliner Diplo at the party of the year, the Red Bull Music Academy’s legendary Notting Hill Carnival party, tucked neatly under the Westway on Bank Holiday Monday.
We’re not just saying it’s one of London’s greatest parties because the press release says so, we know from first-hand experience just why tickets for this particular Carnival offshoot are so desperately sought after.
That’ll be the constant run of good beats, special appearances, a free bar and a barbecue that never seemed to go out – although we have no indications either way about treats this year.
Tickets were snapped up when they went live online last week but a few free golden tickets have been set aside and will be available at www.redbull.co.uk/ carnival tomorrow (Friday).
But don’t oversleep as they won’t be there for long. For the fifth year at Notting Hill, Diplo and his Major Lazer Soundsystem, hosts and headlines an eclectic line-up featuring exclusive live performances from Grammy Award-winning international superstar Sean Paul, Brooklyn-based producer and Major Lazer collaborator Dre Skull, Trinidadian soca hero Machel Montano and N’Awlins bounce rapper Nicky Da B.
And the party doesn’t stop there, with Carnival regular David Rodigan MBE, as well as Red Bull Music Academy graduates Hudson Mohawke, Doc Daneeka and Lunice, bringing their own strains of bass-heavy Carnival sounds to W11’s hottest party. Bedford’s Lil Silva, Melé and Labrinth-signed Raf Riley complete the bill.
Much like the golden days of the Camden Crawl, the party’s known for welcoming surprise guests to the meleé – in the past, M.I.A, Santigold, Lee Perry and Toots and The Maytals have all turned up – so keep your eyes peeled for surprise appearances.
Last year, the bar was overflowing with free drinks all day while the barbecue sizzled on for some much-need sustenance.
Fans can pick up on the action afterwards with sets available to stream via www.RBMAradio.com. To get into the mood, check out Major Lazer’s set from 2011’s Notting Hill party: http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/4333/
• The second wave of free tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis from www.redbull.co.uk/ carnival tomorrow (Friday) at 10am.
The Red Bull Music Academy Major Lazer Soundsystem Notting Hill Carnival Party takes place under the Westway at the Corner of Portobello Road and Acklam Road, W11.