Gillett Square is delighted to once again provide the family area and live music stage during Hackney Carnival 2018.

Gillett Square Family Play Area
There will be lots of child-friendly activities between noon and 6pm, including the pop-up playground, table-football, table-tennis, giant djenga and chess, face painting and upcycling workshop.

Gillett Square Live Stage Programme
This year, there will be more local bands on the live music stage, alongside headline act, legendary reggae star Earl 16, who has enjoyed over 30 years in the business and is one of the most respected and loved reggae artists around the globe.

12noon: Visual Ministry Gospel Choir – one of the UK’s finest gospel groups kicks off the programme with powerfully dynamic and life-affirming songs.

12.30pm: DJ Green Papi – brings an eclectic selection of mainstream danceable beats, seasoned with the heady essence of his Cuban/Caribbean roots.

1pm: Baytrees – a four-piece electric groove band from Brixton, formerly known as The Thirst.

1.40pm: Chanel Brown aka Bittasweet83 – the singer, songwriter, model and actress will deliver some of her best tunes and says she can’t wait to bless the stage.

2pm: Scrappy – since his debut in 2005, Monserrat-born Scrappy has consistently released hits year on year, making him one of the most popular soca artists in UK.

2.45pm: M2K Entertainment – one of the most entertaining duos on the radio, spinning the best of Afrobeat, Kenrick and Ryan are coming back in Gillett Square due to popular demand.

3.30pm: Afrospot All Stars – are all about the joyous sound of highlife, the indigenous, authentic dance music of West Africa, infusing the rhythms of Togo, Ghana and Benin with jazz influences.

4.15pm: Community Hi Fi Sound System DJ – DJs spinning some serious roots reggae from the past and special dubplates.

5.15pm: Kasai Masai – will bring the traditional sound of remote Congolese villages to Dalston’s town centre, marrying vintage grooves with contemporary dance music. Expect an innovative fusion of old and new, rural and urban, and, of course, irresistible beats.

6pm: Belly To Belly Sound System DJ – playing late 70s and early 80s roots reggae on vinyl.

6.15pm: Earl 16 – the legendary reggae star is in Dalston for one night only! The cracked falsetto of his voice makes him an unforgettable artist and has established him as a major figure in reggae and contemporary dance scenes.

7.30pm: DJ Explosion – a final set from all the DJs who have played earlier sets, showcasing different genres including roots reggae, Afrobeat, dub and world music.

The event’s Creative Director, Pax Nindi, said: “There is no doubt that Hackney Carnival has become the country’s best, fast growing carnival and it’s special since it comes directly from the people of Hackney. The carnival has a lovely community feel. Everyone, young and old, gets involved. As well as the amazing costumes and dancing, the best thing about Hackney Carnival is that it brings everyone together to have fun and discover each other’s cultures.”