Who Are We?
The BOURNEMOUTH CARNIVAL BAND, formed towards the end of 1982, has become established as the U.K's leading , and Europe's most entertaining comedy marching band. Founded by 3 men, the Band has grown into the well loved, finely sculptured body of musical fun makers as seen in our photographs or video. So you think finely sculptured is O.T.T? Well, visit us at our frequent local appearances and see for yourselves!!
Men behaving badly
The Bandsmen, aged 16 to nearly museum relics (we're keeping some secrets), and dressed in their various colourful costumes, have "perfected" a unique blend of music and crazy comedy antics. This, combined with their marching routines, ensures that the band is always in great demand. Drums, brass, bugles and bell-lyras (similar to glockenspiels) provide the means to play a wide spectrum of musical styles from Traditional Military, American Marching Band, Pop, Swing, Jazz, Disco, and Latin American. All musical arrangements and comedy routines are developed by the band members themselves. Various props and theatrical explosions are used to enhance comedy performances.
Penquin gets jumpy in Guernsey
The Band has appeared at Carnivals, Fetes, and Shows throughout England, it has toured Northern France and by invitation has appeared in the prestigious Jersey "Battle of Flowers" on six occasions. The Band has performed in the Lucerne Winter Carnival in Switzerland twice, and was the first ever British band invited to participate in the 100-year-old event. Other noticeable appearances include:- A Youth Band Festival at the Royal Albert Hall; Mr Punch's 325th Birthday celebrations in London's Covent Garden; the London Christmas Parade; the London Taxi Drivers Party for Under-Privileged Children, at Grosvenor House Hotel 14 times, including January 2009; Glastonbury, Bridgewater and Leyland Carnivals all with return requests; several tours incorporating major carnivals in France at Valenciennes, Douai, Croix, Comines and Lille; five visits to Guernsey for the island's Liberation Day celebrations including the special 3 day Millennium event, and a 6th return this year. In September 2001 we revisited Valenciennes for an unprecedented 3rd time by special request. By invitation we took part in The Lord Mayor's Show in London in November 2001 dressed as Cowboys and Indians and again in 2008 as Batman. To its credit, the Band has made many hilarious T.V. appearances with well known stars and personalities, during it's 27 years of fun and music making. The most recent appearance, in December 1999, was with Lulu for BBC.TVs' "Red Alert" (National Lottery) Show, with the band dressed as Santa Claus. In October 2000 the band designed, produced and directed it's first highly successful well-acclaimed Stage Show "Musical Mayhem" at a local theatre.
Supporting the L.T.D.F.U.C. in the 2008 Lord Mayors Show in London
Although most famous for their bright red and blue Spiderman costumes, the Band has performed in other outfits including "Funderbirds", with our large Lady "P" and Parker; Mutant Hero Ninja Turtles; Mr Punch and Judy and Snowmen. These last 4 costumes are, unfortunately, no longer available. With the exception of Spiderman, these have all been superceded by a striking Batman costume, complete with an oversized Robin, villains Penguin and Riddler, all "complimented" by our own "Batmobile". New costumes, along the themes of "Superheroes", are always being considered. For completeness, in true carnival spirit, the colourful Band car and trailer are used to support the Band.
