LATEST NEWS!!! UFO Steelband wins “Best Steelband on the Road” competition at Notting Hill Carnival Sunday 27th August 2023!!

This is a real achievement considering UFO are not one of the big guys in the pan world – we are even called the steelpan aliens! We marvel at the skills of so many players in UK steel bands, but UFO’s focus has not aspired to being the best: we don’t work towards Panorama, Pan Clash or any competitive pan events. Our incredible arranger Jason Constantine has high musical standards, and we work hard playing twice a week all year round… but our focus is on fun, inclusion and the spirit of gratitude for being in a position to experience the joy of bringing quality music and art to audiences.

We managed to fit 33 players on the truck at Carnival – as well as a toilet, so we never needed to leave the truck! What a logistical and design challenge that was, but it meant 33 people could benefit from the transformative experience of playing to the best, most appreciative crowd a band could ever hope to play for. We had an Engine Room on fire, a truck designed to tell its own story via art created by local children after Grenfell – so we never forget – and so much love to give!! Click here to see us on the road.

Notting Hill Carnival is no mean feat to organise and we thank the team at the top for the best one ever –  a smooth journey round the route, great work with crowd control and stewarding, and no sound wars between live acoustic music and sound systems on trucks – it worked for all of us. The encouraging claps and waves between bands and sound systems on the road was the best vibe. We are all suffering Carnival Tabanca right now and can’t wait for 2024! Lessons start again on 12th September – email ufosteelband@gmail.com if you are interested in joining, or if you want to book us for an event.