Different Strokes Soundsystem presents The Heatwave meets Island Records – Notting Hill Carnival 2016

The Heatwave and Island Records join forces to play a special two day session in the heart of Notting Hill Carnival. Both days will be powered and hosted by the mighty Different Strokes Soundsystem: an authentic, heavyweight Caribbean rig – boasting over 20 years' carnival history.  

This historic musical coalition will shake the foundations of west London: with a full range of incredible performances and secret special guests, all paying homage to the roots of  Notting Hill Carnival.  From the beautiful, authentically styled truck and backdrop to the countless whistles and horns and dancehall dance crews lined up to perform. This will be an explosion of Caribbean culture…with a distinct London twist.

2016 is the year dancehall set the mainstream world ablaze. The Heatwave are the crew who have been steadily adding fuel to the fire for the last 13 years. Fresh from touring the festival circuit and converting the masses to the roots of dancehall – The Heatwave return to their spiritual home Notting Hill to deliver a taste of the realness to the hardcore fans.  Island have been nurturing and developing talent from the Caribbean and beyond since 1962. For the first time in 64 years operating, Island records will finally make its debut Notting Hill Carnival appearance. Drawing from a legendary back catalogue and the roster of amazing new artists, The Heatwave and Island are collaborating to bring the carnival revellers something truly special.   

The Heatwave will play an extended dancehall set on Sunday exploring Notting Hill Carnival heritage, playing classic and brand new Jamaican dancehall joined by top secret special guests. On Monday, Island Records will curate a showcase of some of the most forward-thinking musicians pushing the reggae sound into the 21st century. Throughout both days Different Strokes Soundsystem DJs will be juggling a full spectrum of carnival party sounds.

Founded in 2003, The Heatwave are a dancehall crew from London who run bashment parties in seven cities around the UK. They sell over 50,000 tickets a year for their dancehall-only live shows and are regularly credited with spearheading the current British dancehall resurgence.

Simply put, Island Records are the organisation who brought reggae to the world. After signing Bob Marley and releasing his original ground-breaking work in the 1970s, Island have gone on to move the tides of music history again and again, signing ground breaking artists from Amy Winehouse to Florence + The Machine.

Different Strokes Soundsystem has been operating in Notting Hill Carnival since the mid nineties. The founder Noddy and his crew play Dancehall, Reggae, Garage, Jungle, RnB, House and Disco… the sound system is widely regarded as a premier location in the Notting Hill Carnival area for a jump-up party.  

Full details:
Location:  St Luke's Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1DB
Date: Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August 2016
Time: 12-7pm on each day
Line up: The Heatwave, Island Records,  Different Strokes Soundsystem.
Plus Secret Special Guests.