Anniversary Performance: Pandemonium Drum Works at Open East

Exactly one year after the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, we returned to the Olympic Park for the Open East Festival and joined forces with another drum group: Barbican's Drum Works, an enthusiastic ensemble of young people from East London's schools.

Sunday Drummers

To celebrate the occasion, we emerged near the Velodrome in our iconic Blue Lightbulb Bowler outfits and formed a procession over the park's North Bridge, occasionally stopping on the way for some advanced drumming action.

With a giant inflatable Stone Henge bouncy castle as backdrop, a drumming stand-off started, when the Drum Works group approached from the south area of the park.

We started to synchronise our rhythms and welcomed Drum Works in our middle, flanking them on both sides, and suddenly started a joint performance of under the leadership of Drum Works.

Saturday Drummers

We only had one morning to learn various high-energy grooves influenced by grime, hip hop, funk, rock and dancehall, but we rose to the task - a testament of the flexibility, adaptability and talent of our drummers.

The result was a spectacular and powerful drumming performance that was well received by public and performers alike.

A fantastically fun way to celebrate 'our' anniversary and to demonstrate that we are not a one-trick pony.

Massive thanks to Drum Works for partnering up with us and teaching us new grooves and movements!

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Photos by Vilma Laryea

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ABOUTPandemonium Drummers

The Pandemonium Drummers were originally put together by London 2012 Ceremonies for the Pandemonium segment of Danny Boyle's spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony. Following the Ceremony, the volunteer drummers kept on performing at a variety of events.

Based on their extensive training, they performed at other Opening Ceremonies, including the UEFA Champions League Final 2013, the FA Cup Final 2014, and the Heineken Cup Final 2014, and at a variety of large and small festivals as well as sports and community events. The Pandemonium Drummers are a returning act in London's major parades, including the London New Years' Day Parade, St Patrick's Day Parade, and the Lord Mayor's Show, and they coined Cheer Drumming, supporting runners at major sports events across the capital and beyond. The Pandemonium Drummers have supported the Special Olympics, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and a wide range of other charities.

The Pandemonium Drummers are a constituted association with charitable aims, and are working on a non-profit basis as volunteers.

[ More about the Pandemonium Drummers ]