On Sunday 28th August, Carnival lovers will be able to enjoy the first Amapiano soundsystem from the streets of West London, as one of this year’s most hotly anticipated events returns to Notting Hill after a two-year hiatus.

The iconic Rough But Sweet stage is celebrating its 30th year at Carnival, uniting with Hennessy to present a stage curated by leading Amapiano collective Piano People with an exclusive Hennessy bar serving Carnival-inspired cocktails and food from Jollof Mama to boot. The stage will bring together a line-up of Amapiano pioneers from South Africa with emerging talent from London to give the genre a platform at one of the world’s most renowned Carnival celebrations.

The high-tempo, yet soulful dance music genre has swept through the music industry, driven by a fast-growing ‘Ama-loving’ fanbase. DJs, producers and viral dance trends have propelled the unique sound from the townships of South Africa to clubs across the globe, showing that Amapiano is as much about its community as it is about the music. 

The Rough But Sweet & Hennessy stage will offer UK piano the opportunity to see the scene’s biggest names united on a single stage. The stage’s secret ‘special guest’ lineup can be found at its Hazlewood Crescent street location, with live performances running from 12 – 7pm across the Sunday afternoon.