Nitelife January 2018 by NITELIFE

COVER SHOT: MARTIN THOMPSON

INFLUENTIAL VENUES // ESSENTIAL EVENTS AND PARTIES // MONTHLY GUIDE

L JANUARY - 2018

HOSPITALITY DNB X T H E B L AST P R ESEN T

S AT U R D AY 2 4 T H F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 THE BAT H & W EST SH OW GROUN D STAGE ONE: THE BLAST

J H US

SHY FX HYPE B2B HAZARD FLAVA D HOLY GOOF DARKZY CHIMPO B2B SAM BINGA & TRIGGA THE BLAST DJS

VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

M Y NU LEN G & DREAD MC HOSTE D BY: E KS M AN / B RU- C / STAM I N A

STAGE TWO: HOSPITALITY

H IG H CON T RAST

DANNY BYRD LONDON ELEKTRICITY S.P.Y METRIK KINGS OF THE ROLLERS NU:LOGIC ETHERWOOD KEENO

SPECIAL GUEST

DIMEN SION HOSTED BY: DYNAMITE / GQ / RUTHLESS / INJA

STAGE THREE: DRUM&BASSARENA X ON A MISSION X RUN

SASASAS

THE PROTOTYPES MAMPI SWIFT B2B CRISSY CRISS KASRA B2B RAN DALL LOGAN D FT. EVIL B ANNIX B2B TURNO D*MIN DS RIPRAW & BROOKSIE N EWTON & IN NA

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HIGHLIGHTS

best events this month 18-21

COMPETITION

Win a Minirig portable speaker 22

PROFILES

a-bee 23 THE NIGHT CAFÉ 23

LOCAL TALENT

sounds of harlowe 24-25

PREVIEW

Deer Tick 26-27 the menzingers 28-29

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH

january 2018

koast 28-29

FEATURED VENUES

51 Stokes Croft 34 O2 Academy 35 colston hall 36 Crofters Rights 37 The Fleece 38 The Full Moon 39

GALLIMAUFRY 40 The Golden Lion 41 hy-brasil 42 kingsdown vaults 43 the lanes 44 the lantern 45

MArble Factory 46 MotherS’ Ruin 47 Mr Wolfs 48 THE OLD BOOKSHOP 49 swx 50 THekla 51

to the moon 52 Trinity 53

Photography: Dominika Scheibinger / Lukasz Kaminski / Martin Thompson / Ania Shrimpton / Khali Photography / Soul Media / Jessica Bartolini / shotaway.com / Leora Bermeister www.nitelifeonline.com | facebook.com/nitelifebristol | info@nitelifeonline.com | Tel: 07590 993 523 Director Carlos Javier

Art Director Steve Hughes Editor Rachel Morris Commercial Manager Jodie Guichard Features Abi Lewis, Georgie Partington, Hannah Ryan Photo Editor Dominika Scheibinger Print Stephens & George Distribution Javier Fox

10 // SELECTION

SELECTION // 11

12 // SELECTION

SELECTION // 13

14 // SELECTION

SELECTION // 15

9th - 10th June 2017 Fe r n h i l l Fa r m , C o m p t o n M a r t i n , S o m e r s e t

Darren C Topof Robert Van Ryn B ATerry KKO S • TOMMY VERCETTI Bird Geminus Antony Davies • Arran Wells • Darren C

Saturday 23 December Fordy • Geminus • Joe Burton • Jordon B Blue Mountain Keith • Lloyd Kelsall • Louis Hodge 10 Newman til 6 Martyn Stillman • Nico Luss • Ollie Higgs Christm

a Orange Peel • Pioneer Peacey

in the los Party ft

Robert Van Ryn • Simon Lloyd 1. HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DARREN C, TOPOF, ROBERT VAN RYN, AND• MORE Sly Logic • TERRY TerryBIRD Bird Topof

2. WONKA VISION & FANTAZIA NYE 2017

3. JILK & SOLARFERENCE

23 Dec // £10 // Blue Mountain

31 Dec // £27.50 - £43.50 // Old Crown Court

21 Jan // £4 adv // Crofters Rights

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26/09/2017 14:11:37

Will Richards • JaX • Xango Nautz & Toppa

DISMANTLE, JUS NOW, ROSKA, THE RATPACK AND MORE

flyer wall

JILK & SOLARFERENCE ALL NIGHT LONG

flyer wall

www.facebook.com/home2017

www.home2017.com Home Poster_A4_1PP_4C_.indd 1

01/12/2016 12:54:15

4. ONE SOUL - LAUNCH PARTY

5. SHALL NOT FADE PRESENT MALL GRAB

6. COME ALT JAM

26 Jan // Free // To The Moon

16 Feb // £9.30 - £16.68 // Motion

Every Tuesday // Free // The Old England

JOE ELMER JAMES

MALL GRAB, WILLOW, DEEJAY ASTRAL & MORE

flyer wall

JAM/IMPROVISE WITH OTHER MUSICIANS

flyer wall

7. HEY! STUDENT!

8. NIGHT BUS

9. THE BIG CHEESE

Every Weds // Free // Mothers’ Ruin

Every third Saturday // £3.50 - £4.50 // Mr Wolf’s

Every third Friday // £3 // The Lanes

DJ CHEZ AND DJ THEO DAVIES

LIVE MUSIC & DJ’S UNTIL 4AM

NON-STOP CHEESY POP ANTHEMS & GUILTY PLEASURES

18 // HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY

HIGHLIGHTS 1 THE HUNNA

After the huge success from the release of their debut album 100 and sold out shows this year, indie-rock band The Hunna are set to hit Bristol as part of their biggest tour yet. This Kings of Leon inspired band will have you singing along to every song. 5 Jan // 6.30pm – 10pm // £24.15 // O2 Academy

2 SISTERWORKS

Ever wanted to have a go at DJing or create your own piece of graffiti, but don’t have the confidence or the tools? Look no further. Women’s music collective Sisterworks invites you to their first instalment of workshops, to learn how to get creative and feel empowered in the process. 13 Jan // 10am – 6pm // £20 // dBs Music

3 INJA X CHRIS MUNKY E.P. LAUNCH PARTY

For Banana Bombs Records 2nd instalment at The Attic, Bristol; they bring you newly signed Hospital Records artist & all-round smiling ninja warrior, Inja. The massively versatile emcee will bring a smile to your face and bass to your cheeks with his latest release. Plus, support from Titus and more. 13 Jan // 8.30pm – 2am // £4 // The Full Moon & Attic Bar

4 THE SOUL STRUTTERS

Come on down to The Old Bookshop this January and check out some of the South-West’s finest musicians, playing golden era Soul, Funk, and Disco. Guaranteed to get you moving and keep you warm during the winter chill. 13 Jan // 9pm – 11pm // Free // The Old Bookshop

5 24 HOUR DANCE MARATHON FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. To raise awareness, Taboo Nightclub are holding a 24-hour dance marathon for Mind charity. Come by for a morning boogie or a midnight shuffle and strut your stuff for a great cause. 13-14 Jan // 4.30am – 4.30am // £5.40 - £10.80 // Taboo Nightclub

6 LITTLE PARADISE RECORDS PRESENTS: THE DESLONDES + SCREAMIN’ MISS JACKSON

The Deslondes will be showcasing their critically acclaimed new album Hurry Home at Hy-Brasil this January. Following their impressive debut album, their swampy southern roots, 50’s rockabilly, and classic rhythm & blues sound is even bigger than ever. Plus, support from Screamin’ Miss Jackson. 18 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £12 // Hy-Brasil

7 GENESIS VISIBLE TOUCH

Genesis Visible Touch are the ultimate Collins-era Genesis show. Featuring songs from their greatest albums, including We Can’t Dance, A Trick of the Tail, Genesis and of course Invisible Touch; this band will blow you away. Plus, support from Bristol based singer songwriter, John Ross. 19 Jan // 7.30pm – 11.30pm // £12 // The Fleece

8 THE BLAST PRESENTS: SKEPSIS UK TOUR

The Blast presents Skepsis UK tour. The London based dance DJ is heading out across the UK to showcase his finest material. Accompanied by a monstrous line up, including Jamie Duggan, Bushbaby, and special guest P Money, this is a night you won’t want to miss. 19 Jan // 10pm – 5am // £11.30 - £15.83 // Marble Factory

HIGHLIGHTS // 19

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9 MIKE HODDINOTS BLUES ALLSTARS

A kick ass blues band that consists of the finest session players in the region. After over a decade of touring with the likes of Eddie Martin, Mike Hoddinott decided to use some of the great players he had worked with over the years and form his own band. 19th Jan // 9.30pm // Free // The Golden Lion

10 JAMES RAY & THE BLACK HEARTED RIDERS

Dark toned alternative rock. Loud, heavy, brilliant and perfect for a moody Winters night. Black Hearted Riders is a collective of musicians from around the UK - Northumberland, Somerset & Wales. 20 Jan // 9.30pm // Free // The Golden Lion

11 45 LIVE PRESENTS: DJ FORMAT + BOCA 45 + LITTLEBOSELECTA

45 Live presents DJ Format and Boca 45 this January. Whether you’re a fan of DJ Format’s extensive funk-fueled hip hop or just looking for a place to dance away your January blues than look no further. 20 Jan // 8.30pm – 2am // £4 // The Full Moon & Attic Bar

12 SPACE PIRATES 8

Come and enjoy To The Moon’s regular rum and roots music party, with great offers on over 25 top quality rums, 2 for 1 cocktail specials from 7-8pm and reggae/dub/jungle DJs all night. 20 Jan // 7pm – 12am // Free // To The Moon

13 LIIMA

Liima combines the stirring, cinematic soundscapes of Danish indie synth-pop group Efterklang with Finnish percussionist Tatu Rönkkö’s “chaotic and unpredictable” instrumentation (Drowned In Sound). The result is “at once free-spirited and claustrophobic” (Line of Best Fit) – a raw and experimental sound that melds “echoing, overlapping vocals and fizzing synths” (NME). 20 Jan // 8pm – 11pm // £13.44 // The Lantern

14 DJ ALFIE

DJ Alfie is vintage No 51’s. Spinning the best party classics from 10pm until 4am, this is the perfect chance to grab a drink and show off your latest dance moves to your friends. Expect the expected…. exactly what you want to hear. 15 Jan // 10pm - 4am // £3/ £4 // No.51 Stokes Croft

15 ESCAPE THE FATE

Formed in 2004, Las Vegas post-hardcore group Escape the Fate prided itself, above all else, on an energetic and visceral live show. This time they will be hitting Thekla with music from their latest album I am Human. Support from sci-fi post hardcore band, Set To Stun. 22 Jan // 7.30pm – 11pm // £17.60 // Thekla

16 CHINESE MAN RECORDS PARTY

Get ready for French trip hop collective Chinese Man as they take over Bristol’s O2 Academy this January for a Records Party to remember, with influences of reggae, dub, funk and hip hop. Plus, special guests Youthstar, ASM, Baja Frequencia and Mophono. 25 Jan // 8pm – 1am // £18.50 // O2 Academy

17 MARTIN HAYES QUARTET

Since picking up a fiddle at the tender age of 7, Martin Hayes has gone on to be one of the most significant figures in traditional Irish music. The Quartet expands on his long-standing collaboration with guitarist Dennis Cahill, adding in Liz Knowles’ viola and Doug Wieselman’s rich and sonorous bass clarinet. 26 Jan // 8pm – 11pm // £20.96 // The Lantern

18 TEACHINGS IN DUB

Teachings in Dub return to kick start the new year with more heavy dub antics. For their first chapter of dub in 2018, Teachings in Dub are excited to announce the International Dub Gathering launch party to the masses. Two soundsystems, one arena. Full line-up info coming soon. 26 Jan // 10pm – 5am // £8 – £15 // Trinity Centre

20 // HIGHLIGHTS

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JANUARY

HIGHLIGHTS 19 HIPHOPPAPOTAMUS LIVE FT. FELINE + THE FLAMENCO THIEF, DJ PAPA MOOMIN

Bristol’s notorious Samba Junglist, DJ Hiphopapotamus, is known for his infectiously fun fusions of latin, jazz, reggae and funk flavours with Drum and Bass. For his live session he will be accompanied by friends on percussion, saxophone and MC Feline. 26 Jan // 9pm – 4am // £3 – £4 // Mr Wolf’s

20 THE BLAST: DAVID RODIGAN’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

To celebrate the living reggae legend’s success, Rodigan will be joined by one hell of an almighty line up. Featuring a 2 hour DJ set by Rodigan himself, Roots Manuva, Mike Skinner, Jungle Warriors and many more. 26 Jan // 10pm – 6am // £21.38 - £25.88 // Motion

21 ONE SOUL

New to every Friday at To The Moon, the best in danceable, soulful music all played on vinyl. Join us for the launch party with Joe Elmer James & Soul Sindicate, then every Friday after that. 26 Jan // 8pm – 12am // Free // To The Moon

22 ELDER ISLAND

Bristol based triad Elder Island use a mixture of jiving mpc beats, alongside a myriad of effected keys, guitar, bass and cello. Check out what will undoubtedly be a mesmeric performance from the hotly tipped band for 2018. 27 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // £8.80 // Thekla

23 WRETCH 32

Bristol’s much-loved club event Codec is putting on a night to remember. Wretch 32, one of the UK’s most celebrated MCs and ‘Fire in the Booth’ legend will be taking over SWX this January. Grab your tickets before they’re gone. 27 Jan // 10.30pm – 4am // £7.70 // SWX

24 THE ZU ZU MEN

Rumoured to have a repertoire of 60 million songs, the hat wearing quartet could be one of the finest covers act you may ever see. The Old Bookshop cannot wait to hear their favourite quartet play some of their favourite music, in a style you won’t forget in a hurry. 27 Jan // 9pm – 11pm // Free // The Old Bookshop

25 DEXTER SELBOY & THE SHONKY TRIO

Formed back in 2012, Dexter Selboy and the Shonky Trio are a quartet of talented yet lazy musicians who may finally have got their shit together. Hard to pigeon hole, their genre fluid style incorporates elements of reggae, gypsy jazz and hip-hop. 27 Jan // 9pm - Late // Free // Kingsdown Vaults

26 FATSO JETSON

The Brooklyn Brewery powered by Snuff Lane, loudly bring you Fatso Jeston, All Souls and more. In an extremely rare performance, the Californian collective Fatso Jetson, will deliver their melodic guitar riffs and punk, surf sounds. Plus guitar heavy rock from L.A. rock band All Souls. 28 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £12.09 // The Lanes

27 HIGHLY SUSPECT

American rock trio Highly Suspect are born out of the indie rockcentric subculture in Brooklyn, New York. Their sound and style found them getting three Grammy nominations this year after the success of their album The Boy Who Died Wolf. A live show not to be missed. 31 Jan // 6.30pm – 10pm // £16.50 // Marble Factory

HIGHLIGHTS // 21

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28 THE MENZINGERS + PUP + CAYETANA

Delivering anthemic harmonies, furious power chords, and largerthan-life melodies, come and catch Philadelphia-based garage-punk four-piece The Menzingers, perform from their latest album After the Party. This band are living proof you don’t have to grow up or get boring. 31 Jan // 7pm –11pm // £17.60 // SWX

29 ELEVEN

31 JIMI NEEDLES + SUPPORT

Well-known scratch DJ Jimi Needles will be bringing his band to Bristol on their first live tour. Consisting of jazz and blues musicians, this live outfit create a party rocking funk, electronica sound with a hip hop edge, making a treat for your ears. 2 Feb // 7.30pm – 10pm // £5.75 – £7.95 // The Lanes

32 MOGWAI

It might be exactly one month after New Years Eve, but that doesn’t stop Crofters putting on a belated new years celebration. Eleven will be bringing a night of deep minimal sounds; dub techno, minimal, techno movements of Europe, from Eksish, Blurd Vision, Kiia. 31 Jan // 11pm – Late // £3 // Crofters Rights

Twenty years on from their debut release, Mogwai’s ninth studio album, Every Country’s Sun, has been described as “a quintessential, well-crafted return” (Line of Best Fit) from a band that has rarely deviated from brilliance. Witness their latest material at Colston Hall this January with their epic live show. 3 Feb // 7pm – 11pm // £29.56 // Colston Hall

30 DEAR ESTHER LIVE

33 GOGO PENGUIN

Dear Esther Live is an ambitious real-time play-through of The Chinese Room’s ground-breaking game Dear Esther, with the story narrated by Oliver Dimsdale, and accompanied by a live rendition of the haunting score by BAFTA-winning composer Jessica Curry. No two visits to the island will be the same. 1 Feb // 7.30pm – 11pm // £13.50 – £19.50 // Colston Hall

Manchester-based leftfield piano trio, Gogo Penguin are ahead of the game with their minimalistic acoustic-electronica, projecting hints of rock and jazz in their style. With their new album A Humdrum Star set be this February, Gogo Penguin will be showing off their new material in the intimate surroundings of Trinity Centre. 9 Feb // 7.30pm – 11pm // £18.50 // Trinity Centre

34 FRED V & GRAFIX

As two keen musicians with Fred on guitar, piano and vocals and Josh on guitar and drums, unique instrumentation has become somewhat of a trademark sound on their production. Influenced by a wide-spanning range of sounds outside of the realms of drum & bass, from rock, funk, soul & jazz. 10 Feb // 6pm – 10pm // £16.50 // Marble Factory

35 GIN JAM OPEN MIC NIGHT

Every Wednesday Mr. Wolf’s hold their Open Mic and Jam Night, The Gin Jam. Pop in to perform a song or two, or just come to watch some new interesting music. After the jam a Mr. Wolf’s DJ will provide all the best funky, disco, fun time tunes. Every Wednesday // 9pm - 4am // Free // Mr. Wolf’s

36 HEY STUDENT!

Pinching those pennies already till next loan day? Well fear not student, because Mothers Ruin have got you covered. With drinks offers like pint & jagerbomb for a fiver, you can’t go wrong. Every Wednesday // 9pm – 2am // Free // Mothers Ruin

22 // COMPETITION

competition

WIN • WIN • WIN • WIN • WIN • WIN a Minirig portable Bluetooth speaker competition Created right here in Bristol, Minirig is one of the best portable bluetooth speakers on the market. Inspired by Bristol’s vibrant soundsystem culture (think any green space on a summer’s day), top brains at the design and engineering departments at Bristol University and UWE came together to create the best portable speaker they could, with now up to 80 hours playtime per charge.

Minirig have very kindly offered us a portable speaker to give away to one lucky reader. Even better, they’ve etched the Nitelife logo onto it, so you’ll know which one is yours if you head to one of the mass Minrig link-up events held in Bristol – even after a few ciders. For your chance to win, head to nitelifeonline.com/win/ nitelifeminirig. Winner selected 23 January.

PROFILES // 23

profile - HOMEGROWN

profile - incoming

A-Bee

THE NIGHT CAFÉ

After relocating from Bath last year, bassline and speed garage vinyl DJ A-Bee has been a relentless force on the Bristol scene, with a mixture of headline sets and support slots at major capacity events. A-Bee’s sets pay homage to the old with an intelligent treatment of the new, layering modern, heavy garage sounds over funky classics for an energetic and uplifting dancefloor experience. As well as getting taken under the mighty wing of Marcus Nasty – playing with him around the country and on his DJ Mag live stream – A-Bee is also a Rinse FM regular, 24hr Garage Girls resident and runs her own Function 16 nights across Bristol and Bath, bringing in some major names across bassline, dubstep and grime.

Liverpool lads Sean, Josh, Arran and Carl make up indie four piece The Night Café, combining mellifluous vocals with just the perfect amount of instrumentation, their sound is both unique and catchy. Last year, the band released their debut EP Get Away from the Feeling, which consists of intimate harmonies and layer upon layer of gorgeous guitar. Their style mirrors bands such as Vampire Weekend and The Maccabees, yet staying true to their hometown, The Night Café also nod to fellow Liverpudlians The Beatles and The Coral. This January, the Liverpudlian indie pop quintet will be performing at Bristol’s SWX and you can be sure to expect their melodic and charming indie sound with their intricate guitar riffs and sweet vocals from Sean, who we invited to answer our 10 questions.

Upcoming shows: 26 January – Contraband Circus, Blue Mountain

Upcoming shows: 27 January – SWX

Band

THOSE QUESTIONS... 1. What have you learned today? That I think I’m becoming an adult. 2. Favourite track of all time? This is always such a difficult question, there are so many and it all depends on my mood! To list a few: Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar (Three N One Mix), 24 Hour Experience – Together and Orbital – Chime. The list could go on, but you only asked me for one in the first place…

6. What was the last book you read? I am crap at reading books these days, but I did read one in the bath recently about being mindful. 7. Favourite thing on TV? I don’t watch TV, but an occasional episode of Peep Show on Netflix would be my go to. 8. Are you afraid of anything? Getting old.

3. It’s 3am and the party is winding down, what track do you play to get everyone going again? Zed Bias ft. Jenna G – Fairplay (Zed Bias Old Skool Remix).

9. Tell us something people don’t know about you... I have a scar on the side of my head in the shape of a T and I have no idea how it got there.

4. Who are your top three acts right now? I am really feeling DJ Haus, De Sluwe Vos and Locklead at the moment. Haven’t seen any of these guys play yet, they are on my to see list!

10. What are you doing tomorrow? Going to Bath to see my Grandma for some lunch and catch up with some old friends. Then back to Bristol to record some bits and pieces for radio.

THOSE QUESTIONS... 1. What have you learned today? Mid-day napping isn’t very productive.

6. What was the last book you read? Erm, probably Of Mice and Men in GSCE English!

2. Favourite track of all time? Fleetwood Mac – Dreams.

7. Favourite thing on TV? Gavin & Stacey is my binge watch at the minute.

3. It’s 3am and the party is winding down, what track do you play to get everyone going again? Some dirty tech beats by Arran and Josh.

8. Are you afraid of anything? As a band, we are all afraid of sharks.

4. Who are your top three acts right now? Brockhampton are up there along with Anderson .Paak and this band called Balance and Composure. We like a wide variety of stuff. 5. If you couldn’t work in music, what would you be doing instead? Working in a music shop.

9. Tell us something people don’t know about you We all wear odd socks at least one day of the week. 10. What are you doing tomorrow? We are in the midst of recording track three of our second EP, so very exciting stuff.

5. If you couldn’t work in music, what would you be doing instead? Travelling the world.

soundcloud.com/a_beeuk // fb.com/abeeuk // @A_BeeUK

soundcloud.com/thenightcafe // FB.com/nightcafeband // @nightcafeband

24 // LOCAL TALENT

DBS MUSIC PRESENTS LOCAL TALENT

SOUNDS OF HARLOWE

Bristol is a hub for new musical talent, and Sounds of Harlowe are local a gem that deserve your utmost attention. This Bristol-based band certainly know a thing or two about soothing the musical soul, with their mixing pot of warm jazz and upbeat hip hop. Known in particular for their energetic live shows, Sounds of Harlowe is Keno, Jamie, Mike and Chris – often accompanied by longtime collaborator Solomon O.B. Since forming in 2012, they have already ticked off a load of achievements on their bucket lists, including touring the UK, festival appearances and impressive support slots for the likes of Nubiyan Twist, who they supported at The Fleece early last year. With the release of their debut EP Change of Disposition forthcoming on 18 January, Nitelife met up with band members Chris and Jamie in the beating heart of Stokes Croft at the bustling Canteen to have a chat about the new release. After settling down with drinks in hand, Jamie kicked off the interview by telling Nitelife how the band Sounds of Harlowe

first formed. After all meeting at university in Bath, they started performing together in 2012.

Jamie talks us through the initial writing process behind the Change of Disposition EP.

‘It was me, Solomon, Keno and Mel, who was lead vocalist at the time. It was a totally different set up to what we have now. Sol would beatbox, Keno would play the guitar with Mel singing and me on the bass. It was a pretty stripped back kind of thing, but over time we got to the point where we realised we wanted a bit more oomph to our sound. That’s when we got the rest of the band involved. For a while, we even jumped from a four-piece to an eight-piece band.

‘For a long time, we have been trying to figure out how to write music together. We’ve had to figure out how we work best and throw different ideas around to try out different ways of writing. We’d jam for ages and then take bits out from that, or make beat samples on a laptop and bring them back to the band to try and replicate.’

‘Post university we started to focus more on what we were actually trying to do and fine tuning our sound. Now, we are back down to a four piece with Solomon joining us when he’s not working on his solo album.’ With Mel departed from the band, Keno has skilfully adopted singing duties alongside guitar, with the help of Chris who also spits bars between providing a brass section with his sax; while Mike and Jamie take on drums and bass. Keno also raps, and Solomon often join the group as MC and beatboxer. Now with their first full release on the horizon,

But when asked if Sounds of Harlowe have finally cracked the code for their music writing process, the question was received with a swift and simultaneous ‘No!’ ‘You can’t have a code for making music,’ says Chris. ‘Unless everybody stays exactly the same for the rest of their life then it’s not possible. Humans are always moving forward and trying out new things. If you never learnt anything again then you might keep the same creative process, but in reality, you’re always going to be inspired and motivated to try out new things – that’s half the fun.’ Jamie agrees, ‘these days the boundaries within music are continuing to get pushed and I think that pushes you to

LOCAL TALENT // 25

explore different things. If you’re sticking to a code, that code is going to dry out eventually.’

we’ve gigged hard for so long over the years, now we’re really going to hone in and up the ante on our material As we continue to talk about their upcoming EP, Chris explains why it’s important for the band to test their new material out live before pressing the record button in the studio. ‘I don’t think we’ve ever released a piece of music without performing it live first. Up until recently when we were constantly gigging, we would always play new songs in our sets because playing it live would help us work it out. A lot

of the time we’d play a song and then come back afterwards and pick out what worked and didn’t work live. ‘Personally, I like to play something that’s very nearly finished. You can see which bits resonate with the audience and which bits don’t. I think we’re always looking for a connection with the audience. Very early on we just used to see if people were dancing, but now we’re also paying attention to the people in the back-right corner, just constantly staring at us as we play our instruments.’ Sounds of Harlowe have built their fan base in local venues around Bristol, and like many local bands, they are deeply concerned about the threats to local music venues. With Thekla, The Jam Jar and Fiddlers among the latest music venues under threat of closure due to residential developments and soundproofing issues, Chris talks about what local music fans can do to keep the music venue culture alive. ‘Go to gigs. Just go to gigs. if you don’t want to pay £5 for a gig ticket, then donate a couple of quid to the campaign to keep it open. All over the UK music venues are being closed

down and The Fleece nearly closed down too. It’s just about being an active member of the community. If you think it’s a shame, then go down and show some support to your local music venues.’ Looking forwards to the rest of 2018, as Chris and Jamie describe the usual schedule of festivals and a potential tour, it quickly became clear what their real main focus of the year will be. ‘We’ve already got a couple of half written songs for our next EP,’ says Jamie. ‘And we’re already looking forward to getting those finished and getting them out. The thing is, we’ve gigged hard for so long over the years, now we’re really going to hone in and up the ante on our material.’

Words: Abi Lewis Photos: Dominika Scheibinger soundsofharlowe.bandcamp.com

26 // PREVIEW

PREVIEW

DEER TICK

Rhode Island rock quartet Deer Tick are back with not one but two new albums, after a four-year hiatus that almost never came to its end. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, released simultaneously in September last year, are divided down the middle to showcase the band’s two sonic sides. The former catalogues their acoustic, generally considered folkier sound. Although behind the fingerplucking, particularly on their newer material, they could also be deemed closer to acoustic rock, akin to something like Lemonheads with strong songwriting influences from Nirvana. Vol. 2 centres around their more plugged in rock sound. With 10 tracks on each record, Deer Tick went into the recording studio with one very strict rule – no acoustic guitars on the electric album, and no electric guitars on the acoustic. We called up Deer Tick’s main creative force, singer songwriter John McCauley, at home in Nashville, where he now lives with his wife Vanessa Carlton (yes, that one) and daughter. Even before the move to Nashville, country is

another label that often follows the band, although again, one that doesn’t accurately represent the band, despite John’s raw, drawling vocals with, admittedly, a hint of a country twang

When we tried it the second time, it just clicked ‘I don’t think I really did myself any favours by moving here in trying to get away from labels like that. I see where that comes from, but there’s also a lot of stuff we do as a band that doesn’t get the same kind of recognition, although we do it just as much, or even better than we can pull off country-sounding stuff. ‘I think maybe the tone of my voice has something to do with it and some of the instrumentation. I obviously look up

to a lot of songwriters that would be considered country, or outlaw country. I think the fact that we dabbled in that kind of music at all was something that fascinated people, since we’re from New England.’ It is common knowledge that John seriously considered leaving the band during the break between 2013’s Negativity and the two new records. With the band’s other three members, guitarist Ian O’Neil, bassist Christopher Dale Ryan and drummer Dennis Ryan, also starting up their side project Happiness with Ravi Shavi’s Rafay Rashid in 2013, the prospect of the band splitting seemed increasingly likely. On whether the end of Deer Tick remains a looming possibility, John says, ‘I’m always thinking about how I can make a sudden U-turn in my life, but I’m pretty happy with where we’re at now. I think after having all that time off, I got so used to it that it seemed like a good idea – sometimes it still seems like a good idea! But I think the break was definitely necessary for us as a band, at least for me to still have my heart in it.

PREVIEW // 27 the inspiration behind the subject matter, much of which explores darker concepts like doomed relationships and an often negative relationship with drink and drugs. ‘I think a lot of my writing is based somewhat in reality. But when you’re trying to put an idea forward that’s maybe kind of fucked up, you have to figure out a way to make it more palatable. But I try not to worry about it too much – as long as I think it works as a song. Some of my favourite songs are just built out of unrelated lines and contradictions and if you read into it in a straightforward way, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense – something like Stay Away by Nirvana, for example.’ Part of the band’s early reputation was built on being your archetypal, raucous rock and roll stars on stage, until a big media break a few years ago around the idea of Deer Tick ‘cleaning up their act’. And while less of their public persona revolves around being off the rails, John says that this is a trope that got blown out of proportion. ‘Deer Tick without beer is not really Deer Tick to me. I think a lot of press got a lot of mileage from this one month where I was not drinking, but that was me hitting the reset button because I had become quite a mess. ‘I haven’t done anything to really reinvent myself, but I guess I find that having more balance in my life now is more rewarding than constantly being off the rails. As far as being on stage, maybe I’m not jumping around as much or knocking my amps over or diving into the drum kit or spraying booze all over the front row, or whatever the hell I used to do. But now I get to pay more attention to what I’m actually singing and playing.’

‘It’s weird being in a band because you end up with a whole new family, and like family, you love each other but you don’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. ‘What happened was we had our 10 year anniversary shows and then nothing else on the books after that. It was the first time that had ever happened, so with absolutely nothing in our future plans, it made me feel really comfortable with saying no to stuff. I was just turning everything down; I didn’t want to do anything. ‘I needed the time off and it was good. I got to spend all of it with my daughter, which is something that a lot of people who play in bands that have kids – and probably a lot of fathers in general – don’t get.’ Fortunately, the full band is back with a massive world tour to boot – and sounding better than ever. Both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are standalone masterpieces, although John tells us that it was a difficult road to get there. ‘After we had been off the road for a couple of years, we tried recording what would become Volumes 1 and 2. We had rules in place, with no acoustic guitars on the electric songs and no electric guitars on the acoustic songs. Pretty easy rules, but we managed to screw that up in our first attempt at recording. I became really unhappy with all of it, so we scrapped everything. That’s probably when I really felt

the strongest about maybe just walking away. So we took a break and then we had to take another break.’ A year later, they tried again and the result is two albums that demonstrate their full capabilities on both sides of the electric and acoustic spectrum. ‘When we tried it the second time, it just clicked. In preparation of doing the acoustic record, we did a whole acoustic tour, which really helped get us ready for that, because it was something we hadn’t really done before. If you’re only thinking about one style of guitar playing, it definitely makes it easier. ‘When most people are recording a song, you end up doing a lot of layers of guitars and you just keep adding parts to it, instead of trying to come up with just one part that is awesome and covers all the bases. ‘I think the whole thing has made us a little bit more caring about our record making process, so I’m sure it’ll rub off us in that way, in that anything we make from here on out will definitely be more thought through and we’ll be a more goal oriented group of musicians.’ John does the majority of songwriting, although guitarist Ian O’Neil also contributes a few songs, including Hope is Big on Vol. 1 and Look How Clean I Am on Vol. 2. He explains

A topic that’s increasingly being talked about in the media lately is the mental health implications of aggressive touring schedules that come with being a successful artist, as well as the environmental trappings of regularly being around so much booze and drugs. It’s certainly something that’s affected Deer Tick along the way in their 14-year career and a subject that fuels many of their lyrics, for example Vol. 1’s Cocktail: Sometimes I feel like a corpse / With a lifetime subscription / Just a strange proposition / Or the thankless sacrifice.

Somewhere along the way I could have easily overdosed or done something to completely ruin my career ‘I think sometimes fans put an unfair pressure on the performers that they like to be total train wrecks of people. And you don’t do yourself any favours when you present yourself that way. I have to avoid meeting fans after shows now because they want to buy me drinks, or they want to give me coke or whatever. I’ve become very comfortable with just saying no to stuff. ‘Even my voice doesn’t hold up the way it used to, so I don’t even do press on tour, that’s the limit for me. I want to just worry about doing the shows and it’s taken a lot of experience for me to get to this point. Somewhere along the way I could have easily overdosed or done something to completely ruin my career. I’m just lucky that I came out on the other side and that I never did anything terrible to hurt myself or somebody else. ‘I don’t think I’ve met too many musicians on the road who haven’t been depressed in one way or another. It’s a weird way to live your life and I wouldn’t recommend it for anybody really, but if you think you’ve got what it takes then by all means you should try it out. Even though I’m making it sound like it’s complete chaos and hell, it really is quite rewarding.’ Deer Tick have four UK dates as part of a huge world tour, which in total spans five months from last November to this March. They’ll be visiting London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. They come to The Fleece on 31 January, for what will likely be a phenomenal live show that follows the split format of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. ‘It won’t be the typical Deer Tick performance that we’ve done in the UK before. We’re bringing all our instruments and we’re going to do one long set with an acoustic portion upfront and then we’ll put those things away and play our electric guitars for a while, so you’ll get to experience both sides of the band. You’ll get to hear the songs as we have them on our new record – which is isolated. We’ll be doing stuff from our entire catalogue in both parts of the set.’

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Laura Partain 31 January – Deer Tick, The Fleece deertickmusic.com

28 // PREVIEW

PREVIEW

THE MENZINGERS

After releasing their fifth studio album After the Party at the beginning of 2016, Pennsylvania punk rock group The Menzingers have been touring non-stop. They’re back on UK soil this January for a headline show at SWX with a hefty support bill featuring PUP and Cayetana. Menzingers vocalist Tom May takes some time out from his schedule to chat to Nitelife about the last year and what’s in store for 2018. As we get him on the phone, the band have just finished headlining two dates at Asbury Park in New Jersey with fellow punk bad The Flatliners. Tom describes the show as a homecoming: ‘We have done Asbury Park a number of times and we love it. Both shows were sold out which is awesome.’

The four-piece have an unusual set up in that frontman duties are shared between Tom and Greg Barnett, both of them brandishing a mic and guitar, with other band members Eric Keen and Joe Godino on bass and drums.

Greg and I write separately and then join forces to make the song what it is Tom and Greg seem to take centre stage on rotation, delivering their own verses with neither overshadowing

the other – their two voices perfectly complementing each other. Not to mention Eric and Joe, who do a fantastic job of shining individually whilst also showcasing how well they gel as a band. ‘It is very much a team effort but both Greg and I write separately and then join forces to make the song what it is,’ Tom explains. It’s no secret that The Menzingers love to party. Throughout their records are constant, not-sounderlying references for their love of drink and drugs, and some of the mistakes it’s caused them to make. The new album’s title track, for example: To the nights we

PREVIEW // 29

20-year-old self any advice, what it would be:

back on the road for 2018 with their European tour.

‘I remember there were some nights I was definitely too pissed on the stage,’ says Tom. ‘It’s was fun but we’re calmer now – though we still love to drink.’

‘Get your shit together. Stop worrying about the things that you can’t control. That would be the main advice I’d give my 20-year-old self. But it’s too late for that now, eh?’

‘We love touring and, as great as it is spending time with family, I always like to get back on the road. The UK is one of the first places we ever toured so we absolutely love coming back.

The band have described After the Party as a ‘love letter to our 20s’, which echoes the nostalgic sentiments in some of the lyrics. Nitelife asked Tom if he could give his

Despite more than 10 years as a band, The Menzingers retain a fierce love of touring. Even after a solidly booked out 2017, Tom says that they are excited to get straight

‘Bristol is great, we don’t normally get a chance to look around the cities we play in, but we’re going to try and change that this time.

lose our self control / From the sex, from the drugs, from the rock and roll.

‘The major difference between the US and the UK is how polite you guys are! You form an orderly queue at the bar – what is that about? I think the UK crowd is calmer than the US lot, but both are awesome.’

Bristol is great, we don’t normally get a chance to look around the cities we play in, but we’re going to try and change that this time Looking beyond the Bristol show and European tour, Tom teases at even more shows in the pipeline, as well as some new Menzingers material for 2018. ‘We’ve got a few big shows coming up, but I can’t tell you what they are yet! And we will be recording new stuff at some point too.’ Tom and the band can’t wait to start their UK tour and quite frankly, neither can we. Catch them at SWX on 31 January for a guaranteed epic gig. See you in an orderly queue at the bar!

Words: Hannah Ryan Photos: Charles Wrzesniewski 31 January – Deadpunk presents: The Menzingers, PUP & Cayetana, SWX themenzingers.com

30 // THE INFLUENCERS

THE INFLUENCERS // BEHIND THE SCENES WITH

KOAST Many of us will have been first introduced to Koast through his fairly prolific MC career. Having hosted some of the biggest nights of Bristol’s dubstep golden era, including Subloaded and HENCH, he was also part of rap and dubstep collective Central Spillz, who scored a Ninja Tune release in 2012 with US dubstep producer Starkey. As resident host for The Blast nights and Bristol In:Motion, Koast remains a familiar name on the scene, but has since added several more strings to his bow. In 2011 he launched his record label Durkle Disco, and for the past two years he has served as programming manager at online radio station SWU.FM who, with the overwhelming support of the Bristol public, are hoping to be awarded full, official FM radio status early this year. ‘Originally the label came off the back of Central Spillz. We were performing a lot and working on our first (and it turns out only) album, and we didn’t feel that there was really any label that was right for us, so we wanted to put it out ourselves. That was the beginning of Durkle Disco, which increasingly as the years have gone on has become my focus more than the rave stuff. ‘Central Spillz was about trying to bring hip hop and dubstep together, and that meeting of dance music and MCs is something that’s always stuck with the label. We’ve done instrumental releases and we’ve done a few straight hip hop releases, but the consistent theme running through the label is MCs spitting on beats they might not otherwise.’    While the label might have started as a vehicle to put out their own music, with now nearly 30 releases to their name, Durkle Disco has become a highly respected imprint with a knack for catching new talent in their very early days. Releases include two digital EPs from OH91 in 2012 and 2013, as well as Swamp 81 affiliate Lamont’s first 12”– his underground breakthrough track Far Away, backed with a remix from Zed Bias, in 2014. Durkle Disco’s forthcoming track from Sheffield’s Denham Audio featuring Serocee on the vocals also looks set

to be another out-and-out club banger.    ‘The older I’ve got, the more passionate I’ve become about being a bit more behind the scenes, where you can do a lot for lots of people and push whole scenes and sounds forward. Being an artist is great and I’ve had some amazing times and I still love doing stuff now, although I’m a lot less active. But being able to push things forward and bring people together, that’s even more powerful. ‘One thing I didn’t plan on, which has been a surprise development for me in the last few years, is DJing. I started learning for purely practical reasons, because if we’re doing a label night, I’m there running it anyway, so it means I can do the rubbish graveyard set so that no one else has to. But it turns out I absolutely love it! ‘Although again, for me that’s kind of behind the scenes. Because as an MC, you can only either complement the DJ or be pushing your own music. Whereas the common thread behind DJing, behind the label, behind radio is that you can push whole sounds and different people – and that definitely excites me. ‘The last few years, the label has been quite consistent sonically, but it took a while to get there. After we put out the Central Spillz album, it all went quiet for a bit because we had difficulties with a distributor. We went back to making music, but more for the live shows or free downloads. The label sat there dormant for a while, until about a year and a half later when we did a hip hop release from a group called Se Fire. They had this amazing album that they’d never done anything with. So it was a couple of years old, but it still sounded fresh. I thought, let me come back to this label idea. Let me push this album that these guys have got just sat there, and see what happens. ‘Because I was a bit disconnected from it artistically as I wasn’t personally involved with making it, I found the process of doing that album really, really interesting – thinking of ideas for artwork and promotional campaigns and just the organisation of getting it all together for release. I realised that I was surrounded by all these talented people, good people who are up for working, and some of them could maybe do with having someone else pushing them so they can concentrate on making music. And it spiralled from there.’ The other major player in Koast’s career is his role as programming manager at SWU.FM. The internet radio station hopes to provide a much-needed platform for Bristol’s bubbling underground scene and in May 2016, SWU.FM were granted a 27-day trail period on 87.7FM. Koast and the team went all out, broadcasting for 24 hours a day with shows from some of the biggest names to come out of Bristol including Roni Size, My Nu Leng and Stanton Warriors, along with dozens of names from the current and emerging underground scenes. Over the 27-day period, they saw nearly 6.5 million website hits, with the enormous level of interest even crashing the site during the Bandulu Gang show (with Kahn, Neek, Boofy, Hi5ghost and Lemzly Dale). Since then, SWU.FM have been lobbying OFCOM for a full FM license, evidencing their support in the city with their ‘Does Bristol Need a New Radio Station?’ campaign results, which recorded 10,008 ‘YES’ votes to 32 ‘NO’s in just over a month. ‘SWU.FM came about from being around the rave scene so much. I knew Ollie Watton, who is the main brains behind it, because he used to do a lot of stage management at

festivals, so we crossed paths a lot over the years – he always seemed to end up running stages I was playing on and we ended up socialising and becoming friends. ‘He moved to Bristol and began really trying to put the wheels in motion for SWU.FM to happen. He definitely had the vision and logistics in place for it to happen, but needed someone to help bring the artists in – someone who had those connections already, and that was where he got me on board.’ One of the premises of SWU.FM is to not discriminate and showcase underground music from across the board. From Styrda’s Sufferah’s Choice roots and reggae show, to hip hop collective Split Prophets, Mike Shawe’s Hot Buttered Soul, or DJ Die and Randall doing an acid house set with Gutterfunk, their 27-day programme spanned a huge variety of sounds from local and international names.

the thread behind DJing, behind the label, behind radio is that you can push whole sounds and different people – and that definitely excites me ‘It’s the dream of any record label or radio station that your level of taste is respected enough that you can really help people who aren’t doing the “in” thing and need that. If there’s an artist you really like, but their sound is a bit more niche, you have to put them on accordingly. But I think what will be great if we do get this license is maybe being able to push some of those less recognised names and sounds and giving them a platform.’    This attitude is one that’s, thankfully, typical of Bristol. With such a high concentration of independent labels, promoters and artists, a happy industry microcosm exists where the majority actively supports one another, which is part of what breeds such a teeming creative playground in Bristol with a markedly above average output. ‘I don’t really see there being competition in Bristol. Obviously there are egos involved in music, especially when the MC side of things is involved where it’s a bit more normal for there to be competition because that’s part of the culture. But in terms of labels I think people co-exist quite peacefully. People are quite good at pushing each other’s products. Generally, if one label has a release, you’ll see other artists or labels pushing that, or an artist on one label will remix for another label. ‘Bristol isn’t that big a city and so everyone knows the route that all those people took to get where they’ve got to and what they’re doing. If everyone’s coming at it from the same angle, then it doesn’t have to be a competition. Maybe there is some healthy competition, but I think generally people want the best for other people. No one’s making crazy money off this, people are doing it essentially for the love. So why wouldn’t you wish the best for people who are doing the same?’ As well as plans to host semi-regular Durkle Disco nights in Bristol in 2018, Koast has a few exciting releases lined up for the label: ‘The next release is from two of my favourite up and coming producers from Bristol, Vern & Milla, with an MC called Kwam from London, who’s sick. And Lamont’s done a remix of that, which will be the first thing he’s done on the label in a while. ‘After that we’ve got a release from Denham Audio, who are a trio from Sheffield. We’ve got their track Mastah Blasta with Serocee on the vocals, and that’s got remixes from Caski and Bromley, who are both Bristol based, as well as a guy called Mani Festo from London, whose done a few bits with the label. We’ve also got a few other things after that that aren’t quite finalised enough to say anything about yet!’

Words: Rachel Morris  Photos: Martin Thompson // TheFaceCollective  FB.com/durkledisco  swu.fm

THE INFLUENCERS // 31

51 stokes croft

34 // VENUES

51 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP | Twitter - Coming soon | facebook.com/51stokescroft | 01179 148 048 | 51stokescroft.com

A vibrant and welcoming venue with traditional and historic roots, being one of the oldest Public Houses in Stokes Croft. The space is versatile and creative, blending homemade, locally sourced food with live music, art and late night party DJs and the beautiful garden offers a sunny sanctuary amongst the hustle and bustle of Stokes Croft.

DJ ALFIE

DJ Alfie is vintage No 51’s. Spinning the best party classics from 10pm until 4am, this is the perfect chance to grab a drink and show off your latest dance moves to your friends.

20 Jan // 10pm - 4am // £3 – £4

DJ LAWI

DJ Lawi playing all his top tunes. As a long-standing resident DJ, Lawi will be bringing you only the best funk, disco, reggae, hip hop to keep your spirits high this January.

6 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £3/£4

02 academy

VENUES // 35

Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA | @o2academybris | facebook.com/o2academybristol | 0905 5020 3999 | o2academybristol.co.uk

The o2 Academy is one of Bristol’s busiest music venues playing host to major touring acts as well as up and coming artists. They’ve established themselves as one of the best venues to catch your favourite bands in the Southwest, while also being home to Ramshackle - Bristol’s Notorious Weekly Rave: A fine selection of all thats good in music mixed by Patrick Nazemi, Chezney & Guests.

THE HUNNA

facebook.com/o2academybristol twitter.com/o2academybris instagram.com/o2academybris facebook.com/o2academybristol youtube.com/o2academytv

After the huge success from the release of their debut album 100 and sold out shows this year, indie-rock band The Hunna are set to hit Bristol as part of their biggest tour yet.

twitter.com/o2academybris instagram.com/o2academybris youtube.com/o2academytv

5 Jan // 6.30pm – 10pm // £24.15 Fri 5th Jan • £21 adv

Wed 7th Mar • £27.50 adv

Fri 19th Jan • £17 adv

Fri 9th Mar • £16 adv

The Hunna

Motionless In White Thu 25th Jan • From £12 adv 8pm-1am • over 18s only

Chinese Man

Youthstar + ASM, Baja Frequencia, Mophono

Sat 27th Jan • SOLD OUT

Steel Panther

Mon 5th Feb • £16.50 adv

While She Sleeps Tue 6th Feb • £18 adv

Alien Ant Farm + Soil + Local H Fri 9th Feb • £20 adv

Don Broco + Man On A Mission Sat 10th Feb • £26 adv

The Damned

Wed 14th Feb • £19.50 adv

Arch Enemy

Thu 15th Feb • £22.50 adv

The Used

Fri 16th Feb • £20 adv

Hell Is For Heroes Wed 21st Feb • £27.50 adv

Franz Ferdinand Thu 22nd Feb • £15 adv

The Temperance Movement Sat 24th Feb• From £10 adv 11pm-4am • over 18s only

Stamina

Feeder

Moose Blood

Sat 10th Mar • £20 adv

Stiff Little Fingers + RUTS DC Sun 11th Mar • £16.50 adv

Mist

Wed 14th Mar • £23.50 adv

The Wailers

Thu 15th Mar • £27.50 adv

The Stranglers + Therapy? Fri 16th Mar • £24 adv

Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival: Incognito with Carleen Anderson Tue 20th Mar • £25 adv

Skid Row

Thu 22nd Mar • £25 adv

Blue October

Fri 23rd Feb • £18 adv

Dodie

Sat 24th Mar • £12.50 adv

Vance Joy

Wed 28th Mar • SOLD OUT

The Wombats

Thu 29th Mar • £17.50 adv

The Fratellis

Fri 30th Mar • £20 adv

Alabama 3

Tue 27th Feb • £17 adv

Tue 3rd Apr • £22.50 adv

Fri 2nd Mar • £12 adv

Fri 6th Apr • £14 adv

The Front Bottoms Cash - A Tribute to The Man In Black Tue 6th Mar • SOLD OUT

Tom Misch

The Vaccines

The Amy Winehouse Experience ...A.K.A Lioness

Sat 7th Apr • £16 adv RESCHEDULED DATE

MØ + Skott

Sun 8th Apr • £19.50 adv

Epica + Myrkur + Oceans Of Slumber Mon 9th Apr • £18 adv

Walk The Moon Thu 12th Apr • £25 adv

Love From Stourbridge The Wonder Stuff + Ned’s Atomic Dustbin + Graham Crabb DJ set (P.W.E.I.)

Fri 13th Apr • SOLD OUT

Tokio Myers

Mon 16th Apr • £24 adv / £75 VIP

Trivium

Fri 20th Apr • £16.50 adv

The White Buffalo Mon 23rd Apr • £16 adv / £50 VIP

Calum Scott

Wed 25th Apr • £21.50 adv

Skindred + CKY

Wed 2nd May • SOLD OUT

Gomez

Mon 7th May • £19 adv

Brothers Osbourne Tue 15th May • £27.50 adv

Machine Head

Sat 19th May • £29.50 adv

Rita Ora

Fri 21st Sep • £13 adv

The Smyths

Sun 23rd Sep • £30 adv

Jose Gonzalez & The String Theory Fri 19th Oct• £13.50 adv

Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana

O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA • Doors 7pm unless stated

ticketmaster.co.uk

Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 4pm

ticketmaster.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com

o2academybristol.co.uk

CHINESE MAN RECORDS PARTY

Jan • 2018

Get ready for French trip hop collective Chinese Man as they take over Bristol’s O2 Academy this January for a Records Party to remember. Plus, special guests Youthstar, ASM, Baja Frequencia and Mophono.

25 Jan // 8pm – 1am // £18.50

colston XX hall

36 // VENUES

Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR | @Colston_Hall | facebook.com/ColstonHall | 0117 203 4040 | colstonhall.org

Colston Hall is Bristol’s largest concert hall, presenting major names in rock, pop, jazz, folk, world and classical music such as Laura Marling, John Grant, Richard Hawley, Robert Plant and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. It houses world-class comedy, film screenings and light entertainment, as well as local choirs, orchestras and schools.

DEAR ESTHER LIVE

Dear Esther Live is an ambitious real-time play-through of The Chinese Room’s ground-breaking game Dear Esther, with the story narrated by Oliver Dimsdale, and accompanied with a live rendition by BAFTA-winning composer Jessica Curry.

spring at colston hall 0117 203 4040 colstonhall.org

1 Feb // 7.30pm – 11pm // £13.50 – £19.50 wed 10 jan & thu 11 jan ricky gervais: humanity

thu 1 feb dear esther live

tue 13 feb nick hakim

fri 1 dec 2017 – wed 24 jan greg davies: you magnificent beast

thu 1 feb iain stirling: u ok hun? x

tue 13 feb producer uncovered: ableton beginners

fri 26 jan martin hayes quartet fri 26 – sat 27 jan slapstick festival 2018 fri 26 jan silent comedy gala with tim vine sat 27 jan ronnie golden sat 27 jan james dangerfield: when you fall down sat 27 jan lee mack's laurel & hardy classics sat 27 jan the rocky horror picture show mon 29 jan band of burns tue 30 jan liima

fri 2 feb 218 the mavericks sat 3 feb mogwai

wed 14 feb lefty scum: josie long, jonny & the baptists & grace petrie

sat 3 feb bobby mair: loudly insecure

wed 14 feb producer uncovered: logic beginners

sat 3 feb record & cd fair

fri 16 feb scott bradlee's postmodern jukebox

sun 4 feb kaia kater tue 6 feb transatlantic sessions

fri 16 feb john robertson: the dark room

wed 7 feb jimmy carr

sat 17 feb patrick monahan: rewind selector 90s

wed 7 feb christine tobin

sun 18 feb seal

fri 9 feb daliso chaponda: what the african said

thu 22 feb paul carrack

sat 10 feb iglooghost (av set) & kai whiston

thu 22 feb baxter dury fri 23 feb binkbeats

MOGWAI

Twenty years on from their debut release, Mogwai’s ninth studio album, Every Country’s Sun, has been described as “a quintessential, well-crafted return” (Line of Best Fit). Witness their latest material at Colston Hall this January.

3 Feb // 7pm – 11pm // £29.56

crofters rights

VENUES // 37

117-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RW | @Crofters_Rights | Facebook.com/croftersrights | 0117 2310079 | croftersrights.co.uk

Situated in the heart of Stokes Croft, Crofters Rights has an ever changing list of 17 keg and cask, draught beers and ciders. Ray’s Neapolitanstyle pizzas are served every day and the back room hosts everything from punk gigs to storytelling, comedy to experimental noise.

ELEVEN

31 Jan // 11pm – Late // £3

LAVRAK CIRCUS: BURLESQUE CABARET

If you’re looking for a peek-a-boo way to tease your way into 2018, then look no futhter. Lavrak Circus presents a burlesque cabaret packed with comedy, circus, dance and sex appeal.

13/14 Jan // 6pm – Late // £8

the fleece

38 // VENUES

12 St. Thomas Street, Bristol, BS1 6JJ | @FleeceBristol | facebook.com/fleecebristol | 0117 945 0996 | thefleece.co.uk

The legendary live music venue has previously hosted the likes of Oasis, The Strokes, Goldfrapp and Bloc Party. Live music 7 nights a week and massive club nights like Propaganda, The Fleece is a must for music lovers and students. The in-house promotions team are also responsible for promoting many gigs across the city in other venues, so follow them all on Twitter and Facebook to receive updates on their upcoming gigs.

RADICAL DANCE FACTION + CULTURE SHOCK + BACK TO THE PLANET Kick start your new year with some of the finest names in old skool punk, ska and dub. With a line up featuring Radical Dance Faction (R.D.F), Culture Shock, and Back To The Planet.

5 Jan // 7pm – 3am // £15

GENESIS VISIBLE TOUCH

Genesis Visible Touch are the ultimate Collins-era Genesis show. Featuring songs from Genesis’ greatest albums, including We Can’t Dance, Genesis and of course Invisible Touch; this band will blow you away. Plus, support from John Ross.

19 Jan // 7.30pm – 11.30pm // £12

THE FULL MOON / ATTIC BAR

VENUES // 39

1 North Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3PR | Twitter - Coming soon | facebook.com/pages/The-Full-Moon-and-Attic-Bar | 01179 245 007 | fmbristol.co.uk

The Full Moon pub & Attic bar, with its Moonshine bar and Shisha bar are all the on the same grounds. This really is a hub for all nightime activities from events, parties, drink and food. To add to this there is also a backpackers hotel which adds an international vibe to a great night out. What more could you ask for?

INJA X CHRIS MUNKY E.P. LAUNCH PARTY

For Banana Bombs Records 2nd instalment at The Attic, Bristol; they bring you newly signed Hospital Records artist & all-round smiling ninja warrior, Inja. Plus, support from Titus and more.

13 Jan // 8.30pm – 2am // £4

45 LIVE PRESENTS: DJ FORMAT + BOCA 45 + LITTLEBOSELECTA 45 Live presents DJ Format and Boca 45 this January. The perfect place to enjoy DJ Format’s extensive funk-fueled hip hop collection and dance away your January blues.

20 Jan // 8.30pm – 2am // £4

the gallimaufry

40 // VENUES

26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, BS7 8AL | @thegallibristol | facebook.com/TheGallimaufryBristol | 01179 42 7 319 | thegallimaufry.co.uk

An independent bar, restaurant and music venue on the Gloucester Rd. A relaxed coffee shop vibe in the day, ‘The Galli’ serves food and drinks all day with live music and DJs 7 nights a week (always free entry). Working with local suppliers, artists & artisans wherever possible. Check www. thegallimaufry.co.uk for up-todate info on menus and events.

FORTH & BACK: HOSTED BY MADLY

mondays

Reigniting a time when it seemed every single reinvented the genre. Golden era Hip Hop, originals and special guests take the stage, to give you a taste of your favourite musical era. Hosted by Madly.

Open Mic

7 & 21 Jan // 8pm – Late // Free

Hosted by Mike Dennis

tuesdays

january

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wednesdays

Album launc h

Waldo’s Gift

Hip-hop, Math, Jazz, Groove & Electronica

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3rd Waldo’s Gift Trio ken Word 10th Soundscapes & Spo 17th Open Collaboration mer James Celebrating the return of drum s to collaborate Vine by inviting all musician with them for the evening

24th Reworks: Four Tet

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31st James Beckwith Trio s and huge

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fridays

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sundays

Forth & Back Hosted by Madly

, originals & special guests 7th & 21st Golden era Hip Hop

The Next Movement Joining the dotsneo-soul melodies rhythms, 14th & 28th A jour ney into jazz some of Bristol’s finest and Afrobeat explorations with

RUTH ROYALL PRESENTS

New weekly residency featuring rising and established talent on a Soul, R&B and Rare Groove tip. This month guests included Denny Ilet, Nick Robinson & Bronte Shande Kirkby - plus a Michael Jackson tribute session.

Every Thursday // 8pm – Late // Free

the golden lion

VENUES // 41

244 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8NZ | @goldenlionbriz | facebook.com/goldenlionbristol | 0117 924 6449 | goldenlionbristol.co.uk

The Golden Lion is a renowned Bristol Music venue offering live music on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday Afternoon. A surprise mix bag encompassing the whole music spectrum. Keep up to date on their social media pages for full listings and details. Bar open ‘til 1am Friday and Saturday, and midnight Sunday to Thursday.

MIKE HODDINOTS BLUES ALLSTARS

GOLDEN LION

A kick ass blues band that consists of the finest session players in the region. After a decade of touring, Mike Hoddinott has formed his own band.

19th Jan // 9.30pm – 12am // Free

LIVE MUSIC JAN 2018

BIG FAT MOSTLY MUSIC QUIZ - MONDAY @ 9pm OPEN MIC NIGHT - WEDS @ 8pm THU FRI SAT SUN

4th 5th 6th 7th

LATIN DESCARGA Latino Live Jam Night CHICA BOOM! DJ Rocka Lula spins all the genres! THREE AMIGOS DJ’s Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae MEDICINE CREEK Old Time Americana 4pm

THU FRI SAT SUN

11th 12th 13th 14th

ENTER THE LION Songwriters Showcase RUZZ GUITARS BLUES REVUE Bouncin’ Blues JAZZ CANIBALS Old school jazz, blues & all sorts JOE STROUZER’s 3 PIECE CHICKEN ORCHESTRA

THU FRI SAT SUN

18th 19th 20th 21st

ONE DROP REGGAE JAM Hosted by Hotsteppas MIKE HODDINOT’s BLUES ALLSTARS Blues JAMES RAY & THE BLACK HEARTED RIDERS THE STRICKING CLOCK Epic Folk

THU FRI SAT SUN

25th 26th 27th 28th

PIGSTY HILL BLUES CLUB Open Blues Jam

LAY IT ON THE LINE / BRUNEL / FOSTER & FOUND

VERO NEKA BIG BAND Swinging Big Band JAMESTOWN BROTHERS Country Blues & Folk

FREE ENTRY UNLESS STATED - PLEASE DONATE TO THE HAT JAMES RAY & THE BLACK HEARTED RIDERS

Dark toned alternative rock. Loud, heavy, brilliant and the perfect for a moody Winters night.Black Hearted Riders is a collective of musicians from around the UK - Northumberland, Somerset & Wales.

20 Jan // 9.30pm – 12am // Free

Hy-Brasil XX

42 // VENUES

7-9 Baldwin St, Bristol BS1 1RU | @hybrasilmusicclub | facebook.com/HyBrasilMusicClub | 0117 930 4370 | hybrasilmusicclub.com

Named after a mythical island off the coast of Ireland, Hy-Brasil is a late night music venue located in the heart of Bristol. Join them for 2-4-1 burgers on Tuesdays, awesome drink deals and an array of live and electronic events throughout the week.

YYIVU RECORDS RESIDENCY

YYIVU are very thrilled to be able to bring some of the finest DJ acts in Electronic and Bass, including Akito, CDNephew and Samantha. Producer NRV will also be making her debut appearance on the decks.

5 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // Free

LITTLE PARADISE RECORDS PRESENTS: THE DESLONDES + SCREAMIN’ MISS JACKSON The Deslondes will be showcasing their critically acclaimed new album Hurry Home at Hy-Brasil. Their swampy southern roots, 50’s rockabilly, and classic rhythm & blues sound is even bigger than ever.

18 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £12

kingsdown XX vaults

VENUES // 43

31 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol BS6 5UE | @TheKingsdownVaults | facebook.com/TheKingsdownVaults | 0117 942 4353

A quirky city boozer that offers plenty of fun with an eclectic mix of live music, BYO vinyl and open mic nights, old-skool quizzes and loads more. A proper good local.

DEXTER SELBOY & THE SHONKY TRIO

Formed back in 2012, Dexter Selboy and the Shonky Trio are a quartet of talented yet lazy musicians. Their genre fluid style incorporates elements of reggae, gypsy jazz and hip-hop.

27 Jan // 9pm – Late // Free

LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS - JANUARY 2018

EVERY THURSDAY @ 8pm -

OPEN MIC SESSIONS

Fri 5th Sat 6th Sun 7th

Kings of Kingsdown - The Landlords Band A Different Thread - Americana Irish Music Night - Bristol Hibernia - 8pm

Fri 12th Sat 13th

Keith Warmington with Steve Webb The Savannahs - All girl Alt Country 3 Piece

Fri 19th Sat 20th

The Drystones - Fantastic Local Folk Duo Irish Music Night - Bristol Hibernia Session

Fri 26th Sat 27th

The Steamhead Trappers - Truckin’ Tunes Dexter Selboy & the Shonky Trio

free entry - please donate to the hat Blues - Folk - Roots - Americana - Jazz - Country - Rock n Roll

Sunday Roasts, Log Fire, Secret Beer Garden

Big Bowl Stews, Toasties. Soup, Pastries, Tea & Coffee

NHS/NUS 10% DISCOUNT Open @ Noon Tues - Sun THE DRYSTONES

Lively Folk duo Alex and Ford Collier were friends from school and have clearly found their stride arranging lively jigs played on Guitar, Fiddle and Whistle. Seriously captivating and energetic.

19 Jan // 9pm – Late // Free

theXX lanes

44 // VENUES

22 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2LE | @thelanesbristol | facebook.com/lanes.bristol | 01173 251 979 | thelanesbristol.co.uk

Rapidly establishing itself amongst the ranks of city’s most respected music venues. As well as playing host to both international and local live music and clubnights, The Lanes also offers round the clock bowling, an Italian style pizzeria, karaoke, a vintage shop and even a bed for the night. All in a genuinely laid back atmosphere.

JIMI NEEDLES + SUPPORT

Well-known scratch DJ Jimi Needles will be bringing his band to Bristol on their first live tour. Consisting of jazz and blues musicians, creating a party rocking funk, electronica sound with a hip hop edge.

2 Feb // 7.30pm – 10pm // £5.75 – £7.95

FATSO JETSON

28 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £12.09

the lantern

VENUES // 45

Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR | @Colston_Hall | facebook.com/ColstonHall | 0117 203 4040 | colstonhall.org

The Lantern at Colston Hall presents a packed programme of cutting edge artists playing everything from jazz, electronica and pop, to folk, world and hip hop. Recent visitors include Kamasi Washington, Julia Holter, Slum Village, This Is The Kit and Saul Williams. Grab a bite to eat at Beerd and relax in Colston Hall’s stylish modern foyer before you head to the show.

MARTIN HAYES QUARTET

Martin Hayes is one of the most significant figures in traditional Irish music. The Quartet expands on his long-standing collaboration with Dennis Cahill, Liz Knowles and Doug Wieselman.

26 Jan // 8pm – 11pm // £20.96

Highlights Fri 26 Jan Martin Hayes Quartet Sat 27 Jan Ronnie Golden Sat 27 Jan James Dangerfield: When You Fall Down Mon 29 Jan Band of Burns

Sat 10 Feb Iglooghost (Av Set) & Kai Whiston Tue 13 Feb Nick Hakim Wed 14 Feb Lefty Scum: Josie Long, Jonny & The Baptists & Grace Petrie

Thu 1 Mar Broken Brass Ensemble Fri 2 Mar Hannah Williams & The Affirmations Tue 6 Mar Raghu Dixit Wed 7 Mar Solomon Grey

Tue 30 Jan Liima

Fri 16 Feb John Robertson: The Dark Room

Thu 8 Mar Blazin’ Fiddles

Thu 1 Feb Iain Stirling: U Ok Hun? X

Sat 17 Feb Patrick Monahan: Rewind Selector 90s

Fri 9 Mar Field Music

Sat 3 Feb Bobby Mair: Loudly Insecure

Thu 22 Feb Baxter Dury

Sun 4 Feb Kaia Kater

Fri 23 Feb Binkbeats

Wed 7 Feb Christine Tobin

Tue 27 Feb Chouk Bwa Libete

Fri 9 Feb Daliso Chaponda: What the African Said

Wed 28 Feb Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro

www.facebook.com/colstonhall @colston_hall instagram.com/colstonhall

Sat 10 Mar Carl Hutchinson Mon 12 Mar The Fureys Wed 14 Mar The Bellrays Thu 15 Mar Martin Taylor & Ulf Wakenius

New music in The Lantern sponsored by

Box Office: 0117 203 4040 www.colstonhall.org/the-lantern

LIIMA

20 Jan // 8pm – 11pm // £13.44

MarbleXXFactory

46 // VENUES

74-78 Avon Street, Bristol | 0117 972 3111 | @MarbleFactoryUK | facebook.com/marblefactorybristol | marblefactorybristol.com

Set in what was formerly a skate park, Bristol’s newest live venue The Marble Factory has been completely re-developed and re-configured to host live music, club nights and much more. The philosophy applied throughout the process of developing the venue was to offer artists and promoters an enjoyable and affordable option with the emphasis on having everything needed in-house and ready to go.

HIGHLY SUSPECT

American rock trio Highly Suspect are born out of the indie rockcentric subculture in Brooklyn, New York. A live show not to be missed.

31 Jan // 6.30pm – 10pm // £16.50

FRED V & GRAFIX

As two keen musicians with Fred on guitar, piano and vocals and Josh on guitar and drums, unique instrumentation has become somewhat of a trademark sound on their production.

10 Feb // 6pm – 10pm // £16.50

mothers’ ruin

VENUES // 47

7-9 St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UE | @TheMothersRuin | facebook.com/The-Mothers-Ruin | 07546 082 009 | mothersruinbristol.co.uk

Bright Red, behind the market on St Nicks street, a three floor mad funhouse that specialises in super sweaty aural delights of Rock n Roll, Pop and Disco. The Mothers’ Ruin pride themselves on being Free to enter nearly every night, without compromising on entertainment. Upstairs or downstairs you won’t be going anywhere quite like here!

MOTHERS RUIN QUIZ! FREE FOOD AND BONUS ROUNDS Join Ash and co as they take you through the latest in music, news and general knowledge in the Ruin’s very own test of skill and endurance. Winning team takes pot.

Every Tuesday // 9pm – Late // £1

HEY STUDENT!

Pinching those pennies already till next loan day? Well fear not student, because Mothers Ruin have got you covered. With drinks offers like pint & jagerbomb for a fiver, you can’t go wrong.

Every Wednesday // 9pm – 2am // Free

mr wolfs

48 // VENUES

32 St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1TG | @MrWolfsBristol | facebook.com/MrWolfs | 0117 923 2565 | mrwolfs.com

If your looking for a live music and a late night party then look no further than Mr Wolf’s. Open 7 day’s a week It’s the place you’ll get the opportunity to see up and coming bands, to bust some moves on the dance floor, watch talented artists paint live, hear some quality musicians come together and jam your heart out.

GIN JAM OPEN MIC NIGHT

Every Wednesday Mr. Wolf’s hold their Open Mic and Jam Night, The Gin Jam. Pop in to perform a song or two, or just come to watch some new interesting music.

Every Wednesday // 9pm – 4am // Free

HIPHOPPAPOTAMUS LIVE FT. FELINE + THE FLAMENCO THIEF, DJ PAPA MOOMIN Bristol’s notorious Samba Junglist, DJ Hiphopapotamus, is known for his infectiously fun fusions. For his live session he will be accompanied by friends on percussion, saxophone and MC Feline.

26 Jan // 9pm – 4am // £3/£4

the old bookshop

VENUES // 49

65 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1ES | @theoldbookshop | The Old Bookshop | 0117 953 5222 | theoldbookshop.co.uk

The Old Bookshop is an informal, sociable café-bar located on North Street. With its eclectic decor, homemade food, unique cocktail bar, boatyard beer garden, and famous Sunday roasts, The Old Bookshop is known for doing things its own way. The bar showcases guest ales and local craft beers week-by-week, and the ever-changing menu from guest chefs, pop-ups and street food vendors.

THE SOUL STRUTTERS

Come on down to The Old Bookshop this January and check out some of the South-West’s finest musicians, playing golden era Soul, Funk, and Disco. Guaranteed to get you moving.

13 Jan // 9pm – 11pm // Free

THE ZU ZU MEN

Rumoured to have a repertoire of 60 million songs, the hat wearing quartet could be the finest covers act you may ever see. The Old Bookshop cannot wait to host their favourite quartet play some of your favourite music.

27 Jan // 9pm – 11pm // Free

SWX XX

50 // VENUES

15 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2JY | @swxbristol | facebook.com/swxbristol | 0117 945 0325 | swxbristol.com

SWX is a live music venue and event space in Bristol city centre. Equipped with a state of the art sound & lighting system, they host some of the biggest gigs the city has to offer. It’s also home to two of Bristols most loved Club Nights; Far Fetched every Friday and CODEC every Saturday night. Head to SWXBristol.com for their latest listings.

WRETCH 32

Bristol’s much-loved club event Codec is putting on a night to remember. Wretch 32, one of the UK’s most celebrated MCs and ‘Fire in the Booth’ legend will be taking over SWX this January.

27 Jan // 10.30pm – 4am // £7.70

THE MENZINGERS + PUP + CAYETANA

31 Jan // 7pm – 11pm// £17.60

thekla

VENUES // 51

The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB | @theklabristol | facebook.com/theklabristol | 0117 929 3301 | theklabristol.co.uk

Bristol’s only music venue and club on a boat! From live toe-tapping Americana to the dirtiest Dubstep this side of London and everything in between, we have all your musical needs covered. We play host to the cream of the city’s weekly club nights as well as national and international touring live acts every week. Welcome aboard!

ESCAPE THE FATE

Formed in 2004, Las Vegas post-hardcore group Escape the Fate pride themselves, above all else, on an energetic and visceral live show. Support from sci-fi post hardcore band, Set to Stun.

THEKLA

LIVE LISTINGS The Grove East Mud Dock Bristol BS1 4RB theklabristol.co.uk | thekla.club F L theklabristol | I X theklabris

22 Jan // 7.30pm – 11pm // £17.60

alt-tickets.co.uk • gigantic.com • bristolticketshop.co.uk

FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY

BATUSHKA

+ SCHAMMASCH + TREPANERINGSRITUALEN

SOLD OUT

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

DERMOT KENNEDY FRIDAY 23RD FEBRUARY

WILL HOGE

SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY

STARCRAWLER

SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY

THE STYLE COUNCILLORS

MONDAY 22ND JANUARY

ESCAPE THE FATE + SET TO STUN

SUNDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

THE BOXER REBELLION

TUESDAY 23RD JANUARY

TO KILL A KING + FOURS + JOSH SAVAGE

TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY

HIGH TYDE

SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY

ELDER ISLAND

WENESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY

HOLDING ABSENCE & LOATHE

THURSDAY 1ST FEBRUARY

THE OH HELLOS

+ CAROUSEL

THURSDAY 1ST MARCH

FRIDAY 2ND FEBRUARY

ELLI INGRAM

THE TEXAS GENTLEMAN

FRIDAY 2ND MARCH

SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY

K.FLAY

HOT SNAKES

TUESDAY 6TH MARCH

THURSDAY 8TH FEBRUARY

GIRAFFAGE

MAHALIA

+ HOTEL GARUDA

THURSDAY 8TH MARCH

SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY

WAY OUT WEST LIVE TUESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY

HOLLIE COOK

THE DIY CLASS OF 2018 TOUR

FEATURING: PALE WAVES + OUR GIRL + BLOXX + GENERAL ROOTS

FRIDAY 9TH MARCH

INSECURE MEN

WEDNESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY

AMENRA & BORIS

SATURDAY 10TH MARCH

THURSDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

THE RAILS

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

ZAK ABEL

KING 810

WEDNESDAY 21ST MARCH

PARADISE LOST

ELDER ISLAND

Bristol based triad Elder Island use a mixture of jiving mpc beats, alongside a myriad of effected keys, guitar, bass and cello. Check out this mesmeric performance from the hotly tipped band for 2018.

27 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // £8.80

to the moon

52 // VENUES

27-29 Midland Road, Old Market, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0JT | @tothemoonbris | facebook.com/pg/tothemoonbristol | 07845 700194 | tothemoon.cc

A new venue off the beaten track of Old Market’s main streets, To The Moon is a bar-come-boutique and vintage shop, serving up awesome cocktails, local beers and Pieminister pies, with a great spirit collection – particularly when it comes to rum, with over 20 top-notch rums to try. To The Moon also puts on a growing range of club nights and gigs and are currently on the lookout for more DJs and promoters to get involved.

SPACE PIRATES 8

Come and enjoy To The Moon’s regular rum and roots music party, with great offers on over 25 top quality rums, 2 for 1 cocktail specials from 7-8pm and reggae/dub/jungle DJs all night.

20 Jan // 7pm – 12am // Free

ONE SOUL

New to every Friday at To The Moon, the best in danceable, soulful music all played on vinyl. Join us for the launch party with Joe Elmer James & Soul Sindicate, then every Friday after that.

26 Jan // 8pm – 12am // Free

trinity

VENUES // 53

The Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, Bristol, BS2 0NW | @trinitybristol | facebook.com/trinitybristol | 0117 935 1200 | 3ca.org.uk

One of the few truly independent venues with performances from the likes of Gorillaz, Daniel Johnston, Roni Size and Animal Collective as well as a venue for great club nights like Teachings in Dub and now Bump Rollerdisco. Famous for hosting some legendary band names such as U2, Massive Attack, Portishead, Public Enemy and The Specials. Trinity can rightly claim to be the birthplace of the Bristol sound.

TEACHINGS IN DUB

Teachings in Dub return to kick start the new year with more heavy dub antics. For their first chapter in 2018, Teachings are excited to announce the International Dub Gathering launch party to the masses.

26 Jan // 10pm – 5am // £8 – £15

GOGO PENGUIN

With Gogo Penguin’s new album A Humdrum Star set be released this February, the Manchester-based leftfield piano trio will be showing off their new material in the intimate surroundings of Trinity Centre.

9 Feb // 7.30pm – 11pm // £18.50

EVERY saturday 11PM-4AM the fleece 12 St Thomas St, Bristol BS1 6JJ

drinks from £1 entry from £4

Tickets and info: www.thepropaganda.com propaganda djs playing Arctic Monkeys Blink-182 bastille blossoms The Strokes The 1975 ed sheeran CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN & more!