Review, First Band Launch of the Year! Dragons: Underworld Uprising

Dragons Mas Band is a relatively new band (edited to say it is not a new band, it has been going for a few years), it is now associated with Release D Riddim, the award winning central London soca fete. I would describe Release D Riddim/ Dragons as what it really means to be all inclusive. Not in terms of amenities that it offers but in that its patrons and bosses truly represent the spirit of carnival- all the islands (and even a few non islands) are represented. At the launch I heard Grenada’s party hit “Accident” played alongside Palance, and bouyon and zouk interspersed with the staple hits of Machel.

Dragons was the first mas band (to my knowledge) to do a full launch this year (Bachanalmas had a prelaunch last year) and they surely kicked off the Carnival season in a big way.

Venue

The venue of the launch was Inn on the Green in Ladbroke Grove. This pub is located upstairs a large building on the Green near Cambridge Gardens and if you didn’t know where it was you would ketch you ass a little bit. This was not helped by the fact that the Hammersmith and City Line was down and so, because I came via P11 (on foot), it was a bit of a trek. That said, when I arrived, music was pumping, food was on sale and the patrons were arriving in steady numbers. There was a good, mellow Caribbean vibe and the music was on point.

Costumes

At about 9 pm, the show started to the delight of the almost 100 patrons, and we were treated first of all to the Dragons presentation for Reading and Huddersfield presentation Palancing Gladiators.

As this costume only cost 35 pounds (including drinks) I was not expecting much especially as a lot of bands go to the regional carnival with Tshirt mas, which in my opinion kills mas-making culture and the spirit of wire bending. The costume (see above) is a standard black bra and belt combo, and I think the Grecian style headband and the Serica inspired cape to the side adds a bit of flair. I would definitely play in this for Reading Carnival, after I added a bit more sequins and braid to the bra. It would work with a pair of knee high gold gladiator sandals and some braid on the arms. Good try! A recession buster- value for money.

The launch then really started in earnest and Underground Uprising began with....

Renegades!

This was one of my favourite costumes of the evening. Renegades are naturally deserters, persons who abandon a cause, the epitome of rebellion, and so black is the natural background on which to hoist this portrayal. I love the movement away from the standard "panty and bra" here to something reminiscent of a warrior like vest, the silver and cape representing armoury and the asymmetrical neckpiece gave it just that bit of added edge. The costume reminded me of Black Spider (in a good way) and the leotard version of this costume actually accented the design.

This was followed by the all male section - Poseidon Enforcer. Poseidon in Greek mythology was the God of the Sea so this costume was (understandably) blue.  I did admire the effort to give the males a real costume (the belt) but I think that some more needs to be added to actually give it the WOW factor. I am also not sure that the males would be wearing the masks all day- they would want to see what bumper they shadowing!

 

Then came the Sirens. The seductresses, bird women by nature.  First of all, I have to say that I found that Dragons catered to women of all shapes and sizes and the models were very much "real women". Kudos for that. As to interpretation, I think the cape and the headpiece certainly gave the impression of birdlike flight but I am not sure that I totally loved the colour palette and the shiny material on this costume. It is extremely blingtastic and I know that some people would love it but I find the costume just a little bit busy. The model sure rocked it though!

The section that followed was Erato, the Greek Muse which means lovely or desired.

I thought that the colour combination of cerulean and silver complemented each other very well but there was something about this costume which wassimple and standard, The headpiece looked sturdy  and because I am sick of feathers, I appreciated this good old craft- back to basics. However, maybe this one could have  beefed up with a few armbands and some more detail on the bra. All in all, basic and cute.

Next was Hestia, Virgin Goddess of the Hearth (Home). I would have thought that a natural colour palette for virginal was white but hey ho, this is Mas! They chose purple and blue and executed it marvellously. My third favourite costume. Again, someone thought of the fuller sized women and they did not let the side down, the second model owned this costume.

For all the divas who love big dramatic feathery headpieces, this one if for you. The passion purple, baby pink and aqua certainly stood out in a big way.

Then came my favourite costume. I am a sucker for a blue costume but that's not why I liked this one. It was not overdone, it was sexy, it was pretty, just enough applique and diamantes to make it sparkle without it being gaudy. This was Demeter- goddess of the harvest. Again here, I thought an plantation green would have worked better but the blue here was rich and I felt that the accents were just enough- not overdone.

The children's section brought up the rear but it was certainly not "last but least". The costume itself  was pretty without being too revealing (I am not a fan of revealing kids' wear) and boasted one of the better designs in my opinion. The multicoloured gemstones set against the irridescent palette was a winner. The headpiece looked dramatic enough and I am a fan of the shorts and vest combo for kids.
(Hmmm wondering if they go to a large?)

I have tried above not to judge the costumes above by TNT standards as the designers are not working within the same price range. I left the launch feeling satisfied with what could be achieved right here in the UK. The costumes are varied enough to have something for everyone.

The costumes cost 110, which I think is on the higher end of the scale but there is also an option to pay in instalments. Overall, I would give Dragons a sound B. There are a couple of really great costumes but probably more just good costumes.I do think Lauren Alexander and her team have done a great job and maybe some more embellishments on a few of the plainer costumes will be added closer to THE DAY. However, based on the enthusiasm of the patrons, the band should have a real "bachanal" atmosphere which I think would catapult it to an A on the band charts.