J'OUVERT

@ CANAL WAY/SAINSBURYS

ROUND ABOUT. TIME: 6AM

Sunday morning brings us J'Ouvert. Pan, paint, powder, oil, horns, chains, and who knows what else? Anything can happen at J'Ouvert, which is what makes it what it is: a time of joyous freedom from convention, and also from the crowds and barriers that constrict Carnival itself. The early hours, just after dawn, are when the spirits come out… of a flask! So get up early (or just fête the night away) and get yourself to Canal Way, at the north end of Ladbroke Grove, by about 6am. Slowly, a crowd mysteriously materialises, seemingly out of nowhere; the strains of pan begin to resolve themselves out of the mist; a truck lumbers down the road, trailing behind it creatures of the night. There’s no more surreal moment to be had in London. If you do nothing else for Carnival, do J'Ouvert.

J'OUVERT BANDS see socanews.com

DUTTY MAS BANDS

• Abir

• Bacchanalia

• Candy Mas

• Colours Carnival

• Chocolate Nation

• Island Mas UK

• Karnival Mania

• Lagniappe

• Omnia

• TT Mudders

• UCOM

SUN 27 AUG 2023