Meet the Mas Bands: Utopia Mas UK
With over 30 years experience in carnival arts, meet the family run mas band based in Bedford, Utopia Mas UK.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2021/2021) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
Utopia Mas UK is a family run organisation who pride themselves on their extensive carnival arts knowledge.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2004/2004) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
David and Judith Brown have both been heavily involved in carnival since the 1980s, and they decided to culminate their knowledge in 2008 to create Utopia Mas UK. Now, both David and Judith are band designers, with Judith acting as Band Leader.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2005/2005) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
David and Judith Brown originally began Utopia as a children's band, however, over time, they evolved into adult costumes and subsequently attended Notting Hill and other regional carnivals.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2008/2008) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
Utopia Mas UK's Aims
Utopia strive to provide high quality costumes to their ever-growing membership, and expand their carnival experience to welcome newcomers and players from all over Europe.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2013/2013) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
They want to increase the participation of younger players, so that the culture of carnival is passed down through generations, and traditions can be safeguarded for future celebrations.
Utopia Mas Band UK (2014/2014) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
David and Judith Brown want to continue the tradition of large scale King and Queen costumes, which are an essential part of the history of mas. They want to incorporate this whilst pushing boundaries with making large scale wheelchair costumes.
Notable Band Members
As well as designers and founders David and Judith Brown, there are a number of other notable people in Utopia Mas UK who are essential to their smooth operation.
Rowan Brown - Assistant Parade organiser
Monty Weeks - Road manager
Cameron Brown - Assistant road management
Notable Band Members
Bretnal Weeks - Security
Susan Walters – Marketing PR
Shana Gravelis – Photographer
Roy Gail – Photographer
Resident DJs - DJ Spy
DJ Drew
Cam3ron James
Utopia Mas Band UK (2018/2018) by Utopia Mas Band UKNotting Hill Carnival
Ultimately, Utopia's main desire is to provide a first class costume experience on the road, to make carnival as memorable as possible for all participants and carnival-goers.
Watch Utopia Mas UK's 'Official Teaser' for Notting Hill Carnival 2016.
If you've enjoyed getting to know Utopia, make sure you follow them on their socials for all upcoming projects:
Instagram: @utopiamas
Twitter: @UtopiaMasUK
Facebook: @utopiamasband
