A flotilla of steel drums, or pans, lie randomly stacked outside the Notting Hill art centre known as The Tabernacle, located on Powis Square. Originated as a musical instrument in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad & Tabago, these chromatically pitched percussion contructs are cut from 55 gallon oil drums.

Although the heavy bass reverbs of the sound systems dominate the Notting Hill Carnival, it is the staccato rhythm of the pan that provides the tradition and tempo of the event.  If you ever get the chance, and are in town for last weekend in August, head for the nearby All Saints Road and watch the pannists conduct pinging symphonies of sound on the Friday night pre-carnival party. In the words of George W. Bush … Shock and Awe baby!