FESTIVALS RIVERTOWN
11-28 July, various venues
Rootsy ’Murican music, from bluegrass to the blues; headliners named thus far are kd lang, The Mavericks, Lucinda Williams, Kiefer Sutherland and The Shires. At various venues, mostly Colston Hall and St George’s. www.colstonhall.org
HARBOURSIDE CONCERTS 18-19 July, Lloyd’s Amphitheatre
Playing in the Harbourfest, and curated by Colston Hall, who have only gone ahead and booked two of the biggest acts of the year – New Order on the 18th, bigging up the re-release of 1981 album Movement, and Two-Tone ninjas The Specials on their 40th anniversary tour (no way?!) on the 19th. Oh, for a Wapping Wharf duplex apartment... www.colstonhall.org
BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL 19-21 July, Harbourside and city centre
uch, much more than a treat for flotilla fanciers, it covers the waterfront from Underfall Yard to Mill Square, to Queen Square and Castle Park and beyond; it generally attracts 200-250k people, turning the city centre into a three-day fest of music, dance, circus and, oh yeah, boats. Big news for this year is that the Power8 Sprints are back. www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk
CINEMA REDISCOVERED 25-28 July, various cinemas
THE DOWNS BRISTOL 31 August, The Downs
It’s only in its fourth year, but it already feels like a Bristol institution. We’ve had home-grown headliners Massive, Elbow, Noel and Paul; this year, the female, international top bill of Grace Jones and Lauryn Hill is one step beyond. But we also have Idles – and many others... www.thedownsbristol.com
MADNESS ON THE DOWNS 1 September, The Downs
Speaking of one step beyond (see what we did there?) these absolute legends are bringing their 40th anniverary tour to the Downs, with David Rodigan, Outlook Orchestra and Trojan Records Soundsystem. an we have a house on adies ile a flat on the harf www.madness.co.uk
THE COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT 7-8 September, Passenger Shed
eep our fi ers crossed for four blissful days of mass ascents, your eyes on the skies, and down on Instagram”
nmissable treats for film buffs, with lesser known cinematic voices, fine digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities back where they belong – up on the big screen. Programme to be announced. www.watershed.co.uk
VALLEY FEST
2-4 August, Chew Valley
Yurts, organic food from Yeo Valley and a laidback family vibe, as farmer/local food hero Luke Hasell invites you to get on his land. he foodie offering is ramped up even more this year see page ) while Basement Jaxx, Razorlight and Tom Odell headline. We can think of another music festival that began in a small way when a farmer agreed to let a few bands play in his field www.valleyfest.co.uk
REDFEST
3 August, St George’s Park
One of the best small community fests, designed to create a space for arts to flourish, and to nurture the cultural identity of the area h, and it’s free. www.redfestbristol.co.uk
BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA 8-11 August, Ashton Court
Once again, the BBF gamely takes on the vagaries of the Bristol weather and keeps everything crossed for four days of blissful mass ascents. Failing that, there’s always the night glows and fairground family fun. Eyes up on the skies; and down on Instagram. www.bristolballoo fiesta.co.uk
FRIENDSFEST
23 August-31 September, Blaise Castle Estate
Could they BE any more excited? The fest based on the world’s most popular sitcom returns, with three recreated apartments and Central
78 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Perk, and a chance to recreate the title sequence with your own, equally sad, friends. www.friendsfest.seetickets.com
he second outing for Bristol’s first offee Festival a caffeine-fuelled celebration of the best the city has to offer, focusing on local, artisan roasters, independent food and drink retailers and local baristas. www.t eco ee ousepro ect.co.uk
BRISTOL OPEN DOORS
13-15 September, various venues
A big day in the diary for both the architecturally inclined and the just plain nosy, as over buildings and private rooms offer access all areas to the public for just one weekend. www.bristoldoorsope da .or .uk
TOKYO WORLD
21-22 September, Eastville Park
The usual inclusive, eclectic line-up at the forefront of modern music, with a focus on contemporary artists, new sounds, and an added dimension of many more live bands. Line-up tbc. www.tokyoworld.org
ENCOUNTERS 24-29 September
We’re moving back indoors now, with Bristol’s celebrated festival/ competition of high-quality shorts and animation. Screenings, talks and generally the very best of cinegeekery. www.encounters-festival.org.uk
WILD & WELL 11-13 October
The return of the wellbeing festival based around four themes – move, eat, connect and explore. The emphasis on feel-good fun rather than feeling the burn, with fitness classes from drum’n’bass workouts to ballroom dancing, HIIT sessions to paddleboarding. www.wildandwell.org
SIMPLE THINGS
October – date to be announced
Neatly ending the year’s main music fests, this increasingly important festival will take over Bristol’s most innovative gig spaces for a day of musical diversity. www.simplet i sfesti al.co.uk n