SOUND SYSTEM SUNDAYS AT THE TABERNACLE
In collaboration with Sumayya Vally of Counterspace, throughout September and October a series of live events will take place at partner venues where the Fragments of the Serpentine Pavilion 2021 are placed. The series at the Tabernacle will feature six sound systems played on selected Sundays co-programmed together with artist Alvaro Barrington and CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Matthew Phillip.
For the first time in the history of the Serpentine Pavilion commission, four Fragments of the Pavilion are placed in partner organisations whose work has inspired its design. They are located in New Beacon Books in Finsbury Park, one of the first Black publishers and booksellers in the UK; a multi-purpose venue and community hub The Tabernacle in Notting Hill; arts centre the Albany in Deptford, and the new Becontree Forever Arts and Culture Hub at Valence Library in Barking and Dagenham, which was established this year to commemorate the centenary of the UK’s largest council housing estate. The Fragments support the everyday operations of these organisations while enabling and honouring gatherings of local communities that they have supported for years. A gesture of decentralising architecture to include a multitude of voices, the Fragments extend out into the city the principals on which the Pavilion was designed.
The Fragment at the Tabernacle offers an additional seating area for people to enjoy and share a meal from the Tabernacle restaurant. Additionally, it can be used as a stage for small performances. Exploring Counterspace’s interest in the history and architecture of sound systems in the UK, the live programme at the Tabernacle will feature six sound systems selected with artist Alvaro Barrington, director of Notting Hill Carnival Matthew Phillip, Serpentine Pavilion 2021 Architect Sumayya Vally and Serpentine, each playing an exclusive set for two hours over two Sundays in October.
About The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle is a multi-dimensional venue and home to Notting Hill Carnival. Previously a Victorian Church, The Tabernacle was refurbished and converted to serve the secular needs of the local community in 1970s; housing performances, launches, conferences and social occasions in their bar, kitchen and garden. Over the years The Tabernacle has hosted many music artists such as: Adele, Ellie Goulding, Brian Eno, Take That and Lilly Allen.
About Alvaro Barrington
Born to Grenadian and Haitian parents and raised between the Caribbean and New York, Barrington’s practice explores interconnected histories of cultural production. His series “Garvey” examines the cultural exchanges of early 20th century London and the Harlem Renaissance— both sites of large-scale migration from the Caribbean at the height of Modernism – and their ongoing influence on artistic output and notions of self-hood, sexuality, the soul, identity, nurture, nationality, punishment and death. Considering himself primarily a painter, Barrington’s multimedia approach to image-making employs burlap, textiles, postcards and clothing, exploring how materials themselves can function as visual tools while referencing their personal, political and commercial histories.
- About Selected Sound Systems
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Seduction City
Seduction city is an all-female UK sound system Founded by Marilyn Dennis, aka Lady Banton. Playing out at Carnival in various guises since 1994, the mission has always been to promote women in dancehall and to bring authentic clean reggae dancehall to their audience. In 2016, Lady Banton formed Seduction City Sound, continuing her journey in the sound system world, welcoming selectors Spice2life, Dj Fluffy Genna, Mc’s Andrea Clarke and Tippa.
King Tubby’s
King Tubby’s is the Carnival’s oldest sound system and remains one of music’s most respected, playing a mix of reggae, dancehall, bashment and R&B.
Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues
Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues in run by Gaz Mayall, the DJ behind London’s longest-running one-nighter. Th sound system specialises in ska, rock ’n’ roll and rocksteady.
Rough But Sweet
Helmed by remaining founders Mykie Don and Mister D, the sound has played at Carnival since 1989. Rough But Sweet specialises in reggae, lovers rock and R&B.
Disya Jeneration
Carnival veterans Michael “Tempz”, William “EQ Profile” and Linett “Thunderbird” together form the core of legendary Disya Jeneration sound system at Europe’s Notting Hill Carnival since 1985. Disya Jeneration presently includes DJs Carmen London, Raker, Minus, Linett, Daniel, JammyD, Zay London and MC Charley Van Purpz. Jeneration is renowned for playing a mix and blend of all the new and old school vibes, party classics and mash ups.
Love TKO
Glen T’s Love TKO is a sound system specialising in lovers rock, soul and soca.
