Bristol Live // Diet Cig

BRISTOL LIVE LIVE & NEW MUSIC MAGAZINE

DIET CIG Oct. 17 | 69

SIMPLE THINGS

RELEASES

7 - P A G E S T U D E N T G U I D E I N S I D E ! ( P. 1 6 )

PLUS LIVE LISTINGS & TONS MORE 1

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Tue 3rd Oct • £17.50 adv

Nick Mulvey

Wed 4th Oct • SOLD OUT

Loyle Carner

Thu 5th Oct • £22.50 adv

New Found Glory + ROAM Fri 6th Oct • £22.50 adv

DJ Shadow

Sat 7th Oct • From £10 adv 10pm-5am • over 18s only

Thu 2nd Nov • £25 adv

Mon 4th Dec • £22.50 adv / £85 VIP

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Scouting For Girls Tue 5th Dec • £12.50 adv

Sat 4th Nov • SOLD OUT

Konvict Kartel w/ Akon Sun 5th Nov • SECOND DATE • £25 adv

Konvict Kartel w/ Akon Mon 6th Nov • £36.50 adv

Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul

7th Nov • SOLD OUT Harry Shotta’s Bday Bash Tue Oh Wonder Wed 11th Oct • £35 adv

Dru Hill feat. Sisqo, 112 & Ginuwine

Wed 8th Nov • SOLD OUT

Thu 12th Oct • SOLD OUT

Thu 9th Nov • SOLD OUT

Reel Big Fish + Anti-Flag + Mad Caddies + Sweet Little Machine + Tree House Fire

Sat 11th Nov • £21 adv

Fireball - Fuelling the Fire Fri 13th Oct • £28.50 adv

Mon 16th Oct • SOLD OUT

Dizzee Rascal + Donae’o Wed 18th Oct • SOLD OUT

Mura Masa

Mon 23th Oct • £16 adv

MØ + Skott

Wed 25th Oct • £22.50 adv

W.A.S.P.

Nothing But Thieves + Jon Dasilva

Thu 16th Nov • £22.50 adv

Insane Clown Posse

Wed 1st Nov • SOLD OUT

J Hus

Alien Ant Farm + Soil + Local H Sat 10th Feb • £26 adv

The Damned + Slim Jim Phantom Wed 14th Feb • £19.50 adv

Arch Enemy

+ Wintersun + Tribulation

Fri 17th Nov • SOLD OUT

Nelly + Sir the Baptist

+ A + Vex Red

Sat 18th Nov • £15/£20 adv 10pm-4am • over 18s only

The Front Bottoms

Hell Is For Heroes Tue 27th Feb • £17 adv

Eskimo Dance

+ The Smith Street Band + Brick & Mortar

Sun 19th Nov • £22 adv

Cash - A Tribute to The Man In Black

Newton Faulkner Tue 21st Nov • £28.50 adv

Opeth + Enslaved

Wed 22nd Nov • SOLD OUT

Festival Of The Dead

Little Dragon

The Twang

Fri 16th Feb • £20 adv

Sun 29th Oct • £16.50 adv Mon 30th Oct • £19.50 adv

Thu 21st Dec • £21.25 adv

+ Mushroomhead + Death Blooms

PVRIS

Katchafire

Purple Rain

Tue 6th Feb • £18 adv

Sat 28th Oct • £18.50 adv

Sleaford Mods + Nachthexen

Fri 15th Dec • £19.50 adv

Motionless In White

Airbourne

Tue 14th Nov • £29.50 adv

Feat. Yungen, Abra Cadabra, Not3s

Shed Seven + Cast

Fri 19th Jan • £17 adv

Goldfrapp

Sat 14th Oct • £5/£8 adv 10pm-4am • over 18s only

Charlie Sloth - The Plug Tour

Thu 14th Dec • SOLD OUT

Extreme + Dan Reed Network

+ Sunflower Bean + Superfood

Mon 13th Nov • SOLD OUT

Sun 15th Oct • From £10 adv 8pm-1am • over 18s only

Fish

Mon 18th Dec • £30 adv

Wolf Alice

Happy Mondays

Wed 13th Dec • £27.50 adv

A Celebration of Prince

Tower Of Power Garage Nation

LANY

Sat 25th Nov • SOLD OUT 10pm-3am • over 18s only

Sun 26th Nov • SOLD OUT

Mac DeMarco

Fri 1st Dec • £16.50 adv

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Fri 2nd Mar • £12 adv

Wed 7th Mar • £27.50 adv

Feeder

Thu 15th Mar • £27.50 adv

The Stranglers + Therapy?

Tue 20th Mar • £25 adv

Skid Row + TOSELAND Fri 30th Mar • £20 adv

Alabama 3

Sun 8th Apr • £19.50 adv

Epica

Fri 20th Apr • £16.50 adv

The White Buffalo

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

ticketmaster.co.uk

2 2

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

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

o2academybristol.co.uk

Oct • 2017

P

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03 | 10 | 17

MY BABY - THEKLA -

03 | 10 | 17

S

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N

T

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29 | 10 | 17

WESLEY GONZALEZ - THE LOUISIANA -

LITTLE CUB

06 | 11 | 17

JULIEN BAKER

- THE LOUISIANA -

09 | 10 | 17

JUANTIA STEIN - CROFTERS RIGHTS -

10 | 10 | 17

- THE LANTERN -

08 | 11 | 17

BAD SOUNDS

STEVIE PARKER

+ SWIMMING GIRLS & COUSIN KULA

17 | 10 | 17

09 | 11 | 17

- THEKLA -

- CROFTERS RIGHTS -

LAMB - BRISTOL TRINITY -

22 | 10 | 17

DREAM WIFE

DINOSAUR PILE UP + DEMOB HAPPY & FIZZY BLOOD - EXCHANGE -

- THE LOUISIANA -

23 | 10 | 17

PLAZA

- THE LOUISIANA -

01 | 12 | 17

SLEEP TALKING - CROFTERS RIGHTS -

A L L T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E F R O M

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BRISTOL’S BIGGEST AND BEST INDIE A N D A LT E R N AT I V E C L U B N I G H T

FREE ENTRY TO ALL BEFORE 22.00 2 FOR 1 DEALS ON DRINKS ALL NIGHT FREE SHOT FOR THE FIRST 100 EXTENDED FREE ENTRY ADVANCE TICKETS: www.thekla.club

¬ ȝ ŧ pressurebristol • www.thekla.club • www.pressureclub.co.uk Thekla, The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB • 0117 929 3301 Please drink responsibly

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PARQUET COURTS, P12

Bountiful Bristol...

There’s so much going on in Bristol every night that it’s almost impossible to keep tabs on everything and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Thankfully, we’ve put together a handy guide that’ll help you in getting your head around some of the brilliant stuff in the city.

Elsewhere, we chat to DIY superheroes and October cover stars Diet Cig about their debut album and keeping things punk ahead of their performance at Simple Things festival.

Speaking of Simple Things, the team have picked out three of their favourite acts playing the festival to get you in the mood for what’s set to be one of the biggest events of the year.

Bristol newbies Specialist Subject records tell us all about their new shop above the Exchange and BLM contributor Jon Kean spouts his support for the, er, support at local gigs.

Sammy Maine Managing Editor

Sales: loki@bristollivemagazine.com Ed-in-Chief Loki Lillistone / New Music Ed Christian Northwood / Live Ed Mustafa Mirreh / Plus many more in print and online.

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PICKS WITH: SIMPLE THINGS

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W H AT ’ S N E W ?

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STUDENT GUIDE

25

BRISTOL BECAUSE: SPECIALIST SUBJECT

26

COVER: DIET CIG

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NEW RELEASES

39

DEAR DICK

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LIVE LISTINGS

58

THOUGHTS: I S T H AT C H E A P P L AY E R DAMAGING YOUR RECORDS?

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SAT 23RD SEPT

FRI 27TH OCT

FRI 1ST DEC

JAMES HYPE & RYAN BLYTH

DOORS 10:30PM / CURFEW 4AM

DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 10:30PM

KISSTORY HALLOWEEN

HANG MASSIVE

From £6 + BF

From £7 + BF

TUE 26TH SEPT DOORS 10:30PM / CURFEW 4AM

SAT 28TH OCT

BASSHUNTER

DOORS 6PM / CURFEW 10PM

From £5 + BF

FRI 29TH SEPT DOORS 6PM / CURFEW 10PM

COASTS From £11 + BF

SAT 30TH SEPT

DJ SKT From £6 + BF

SUN 1ST OCT - SWX 2 DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

DERMOT KENNEDY + GRACE CARTER Sold Out

FRI 6TH OCT DOORS 11PM / CURFEW 4AM

MARTIN JENSEN From £4 + BF

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA + SLOTHRUST From £18 + BF

SAT 28TH OCT

NIGHTMARE ON NELSON STREET From £6 + BF

SAT 4TH NOV DOORS 6:30PM / CURFEW 10PM

AKALA From £16.50 + BF

TUE 7TH NOV DOORS 7:30PM / CURFEW 11PM

SYLVAN ESSO From £15 + BF

THUR 9TH NOV DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

SAT 7TH OCT

TOM ZANETTI & K.O KANE From £6 + BF

FRI 13TH OCT DOORS 11PM / CURFEW 4AM

YUNGEN From £4 + BF

SAT 14TH OCT DOORS 6:30PM / CURFEW 10PM

THE AMAZONS + PALE WHITE Sold Out

SAT 14TH OCT

NATHAN DAWE From £6 + BF

TUE 17TH OCT DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

JP COOPER From £16.50 + BF

SAT 21ST OCT

DANNY AVAILA From £6 + BF

THUR 26TH OCT DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

THE PIGEON DETECTIVES

+ LITTLE COMETS From £18 + BF

RIDE

+ ULRIKA SPACEK From £25 + BF

FRI 10TH NOV - SWX 2 DOORS 6PM / CURFEW 10PM

HARRY & THE GONDOLAF From £7 + BF

FRI 10TH NOV

From £15 + BF

SAT 2ND DEC - SWX 2 DOORS 6PM / CURFEW 10PM

LEWIS CAPALDI From £7 + BF

SAT 2ND DEC DOORS 10:30PM

2017 - 2018 EVENTS

BENNY BENASSI From £7 + BF

SUN 3RD DEC

WHITE COLLAR BOXING WED 6TH DEC DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

SIKTH From £15 + BF

FRI 8TH DEC DOORS 6:30PM / CURFEW 10:30PM

SAINT ETIENNE From £25 + BF

SAT 9TH DEC DOORS 6PM / CURFEW 10PM

BEANS ON TOAST + SKINNY LISTER DOUBLE TROUBLE TOUR From £15 + BF

SUN 10TH DEC DOORS 7.30PM / CURFEW 11PM

BOYZLIFE From £28.50 + BF

DOORS 11PM / CURFEW 4AM

AFISHAL From £4 + BF

SAT 11TH NOV

JAGUAR SKILLS From £6 + BF

FRI 17TH NOV DOORS 11PM / CURFEW 4AM

DANNY T From £4 + BF

FRI 24TH NOV DOORS 6:30PM / CURFEW 10PM

ALDOUS HARDING + KATIE VON SCHLEICHER From £10 + BF

SUN 26TH NOV DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

EVERY TIME I DIE

+ COMEBACK KID KNOCKED LOSOE & HIGHER POWER From £16 + BF

SAT 20TH JAN DOORS 7PM / CURFEW 11PM

ESDR EVENTS PRESENTS:

SASHA VELOUR From £20 + BF

WED 31ST JAN

THE MENZINGERS PUP & CAYETANA From £16 + BF

SAT 10TH FEB DOORS 7.30PM / CURFEW 11PM

LEGENDS OF DARTS

CATCH ALL THE GREATS! ERIC BRISTOW 5X WORLD CHAMPION JOHN LOWE 3X WORLD CHAMPION WAYNE MARDLE FORMER WORLD #1 KEITH DELLER 1983 WORLD CHAMPION COLIN LLYOD FORMER WORLD #1 TED HANKEY 2X WORLD CHAMPION + MC PAUL BOOTH From £18.50 + BF

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Guest Picks

What our pals are into this month.

IDLES’ JOE TALBOT WITH STEVE LAMACQ

This month:

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words by: Ben Horton

IDLES

as well as The Prodigy in Madrid at the WiZink Center in October. Not bad for five guys from Bristol.

To say that IDLES are having a big year would be an understatement. They’ve received plaudits from pretty much the entirety of 6 Music, with frontman Joe Talbot even sitting in for Steve Lamacq’s ...Recommends show earlier this year.

They sold out their headline show at the Village Underground in London in a matter hours, and were recently recruited to support Foo Fighters at the O2 Arena

Steve Lamacq and Dave Grohl co-signs aside, their debut album Brutalism is already a contender for my record of the year and their rep as one of the most raucous and energetic live acts out there is very much deserved. IDLES have been a mainstay of Simple Things since the festival started and it’s a real privilege to have them back this year for a peak-time slot on the main stage.

Carla Dal Forno Carla Dal Forno’s Blackest Ever Black-released LP You Know What It’s Like was one of my favourite albums of last year.

It’s a tricky sound to describe, pulling in threads from folk, chamber pop, and weird, broken dub atmospherics; her music is really compelling and affecting and strongly recommended for fans of Hype Williams or Tropic of Cancer.

Last time she played in Bristol it was to a crowd of about 50 people crammed into the upstairs of The Surrey Vaults (shouts to Adam Reid and Cacophonous Sarcophagus) so it’ll be interesting to see how this translates to a larger venue.

Lorenzo Senni We try to make a point of booking artists with a really distinct or singular sound, and Lorenzo Senni’s hectically high-energy brand of ‘pointillist trance’ fits this description to a tee. We were lucky enough to catch him in a tiny venue on the final night of Club To Club in Turin last year and he completely took the roof off.

The special thing about ST is that we can bring artists like Senni to a new audience and I’m certain he’ll be bringing something special. Check out his Persona EP on Warp.

Simple Things takes place on 22nd Oct, warm-up 21st.

9

YOUR

MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE

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COURSES

GUITAR • BASS • DRUMS • VOCALS • SONGWRITING MUSIC PRODUCTION • MUSIC BUSINESS • EVENT MANAGEMENT

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES UNRIVALLED CONNECTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

BIMM.CO.UK/BRISTOL EUROPE’S MOST CONNECTED MUSIC COLLEGE

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Teaching Excellence Framework

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What’s New?

Fresh tales from the BLM radar with:

Christian Northwood New Music Editor

Ider Pop music does a lot of different things; it can shove all thoughts of the outside world away, it can energise you, it can make you dance. But with their particular brand of pop, London’s Ider seem to reach deeper than that, sympathising with life’s darkness, whilst dropping you a helping hand through their pure, beautiful sound.

The duo, consisting of Megan Markwick and Lily Somerville, met at

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Falmouth Uni and are still roommates. This close connection allows their interwoven vocals to flourish, creating ethereal melodies for the sparse production that lies beneath.

Ider’s last two singles show just how contrasting their sound can be. ‘Gut Me Like an Animal’ is a dark, pulsating song that grapples with the letting go of a toxic relationship, but ‘Learn to Let Go’ is the complete opposite. It’s a freeing, sun-kissing piece of pop, one that implores you to “learn to let go” in its beautifully-harmonised chorus. As catchy as it is life-affirming, the track is Ider’s strongest yet, and creates an exciting platform for the band to spring from.

Learn to Let Go

S.Cloud /weareider

Tropic Bristol three-piece Tropic are a very new affair indeed. The youngsters only started playing together in their current form a few months ago, but since first emerging have managed to sell out a show at Crofters Rights and release their fantastic new single ‘A Continuing Saga #3 (Deja Vu)’, plus two equally fantastic b-sides.

It’s a brash and intriguing entrance for the band. Dark, sludgy and unpredictable, the title track smashes together post-punk and slacker influences, stuttering and starting until, all of a sudden, the guitars are let loose. A confident but raw new Bristol band to get your teeth into.

A Continuing Saga #3

It’s rare that a band is able to give both fantastic songs and excellent tips on oral hygiene, and unfortunately, despite the name, London’s Toothpaste are not qualified to tell you how much you should be flossing. The four-piece are qualified however to become your new favourite band. Debut single ‘TV Years’ is a wistful, dreamy guitar-pop number that describes “the sort of feeling that makes you want to stay away from the outside world, at home watching TV”. Hazy qualities will delight fans of Jaws or Smith Westerns, but their melodies and introverted beauty will hold anyone’s ear.

TV Years

veryfreshjuice.bandcamp.com

Toothpaste

S.Cloud /toothpasteuk

Get more new music from Christian every Monday via Tracks of the Week at bristollivemagazine.com 13

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Student Guide Meet alternative Bristol

RECORD LABELS Bristol has a damn fine tradition of independent labels.

Add to the mix its current, thriving DIY scene and you get an explosion of underground collectives. Read on to get acquainted with Bristol’s finest...

Art is Hard What started as a way to ease boredom in their Weymouth hometown quickly turned into a bonafide record label for co-founders David West and Richard Walsh. Moving the project to Bristol a few years ago (and now with the help of Georgie Mortimer), AIH are responsible for putting out the likes of Diet Cig, Gorgeous Bully and Oro Swimming Hour, creating a reputation for putting on some of the most memorable live shows in the city.

This year, they celebrated their seventh birthday with a three-venue party, with a lineup that saw just about everyone in Bristol in attendance.

Key acts past and present.

DIET CIG / TRUST FUND / ORO SWIMMING HOUR / BIRD SKULLS 16

PHOTO: ROWAN ALLEN

2017

Howling Owl Starting as a somewhat noiserock label in 2011, Joe and Adrian ‘Owl’ rallied together a whole ecosystem of textural guitar bands to create one of Bristol’s most productive scenes ever. Having since branched out with more diverse acts and a bunch of leftfield collaborations (see: THORNY, Arnolfini), HO in 2017 means anything relentlessly creative, idiosyncratic or dark.

Stolen Body Stolen Body build a home for all things psychtinged, not only with their releases and great psychorientated shows (both touring and local), but with their ever-growing Bristol Psych Fest.

OLIVER WILDE / SPECTRES / TOWNS / KLEIN

Breakfast Records Breakfast are relative newcomers, famous for their (typically sold out) cassette compilations and bespoke releases with underground Bristol acts. Their aesthetic is one of antiimage, it-sounds-how-it-sounds, and mates being themselves in a safe space for all. Putting on shows around once a month, expect oddities and skate rock, but also diversity. It’s fun music, for fun people.

Saffron Records Not just a record label, Saffron Records are also a gateway for young women looking for a way to gain experience and employment, with music-focused apprenticeships.

CHUMAN / THE GNARWHALS / SLONK

Specialist Subject Specialist Subject are experts when it comes to pop-punk and emo-rock. Boasting the likes of Doe, Personal Best and Muncie Girls among their releases, their newly-opened record store above Exchange solidified them as gamechangers in Bristol’s punk scene. It’s only a matter of time until their flock take over.

Leisure Records Launching last year, Leisure Records’ Christian Northwood and Alex Hill have already put their stamp on Bristol with a release from psych-grungers LEECHES and packed-out live shows.

DOE / PERSONAL BEST / MUNCIE GIRLS 17

Regular nights can be some of the best live shows around, with well-curated lineups and a real community vibe.

“Bristol is a place where you can be provocative, take risks and make mistakes...

Everyone has the ability to shape it into something amazing.”

—JO BLIGH, THORNY

PHOTO: P.S. WHITE

REGULAR NIGHTS

Thorny

The LGBTQ cultural revolution of the last couple of years has seen queer culture seep into the mainstream in a way that it just couldn’t before, and the birth of THORNY couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Pushing the normal gig setup into a place where not only live music, but art, performance and more can flourish, they’ve created a night where it’s practically impossible to feel out of place, queer or otherwise.

Their sporadic but regular events are well worth a look if you want to cut through the monotony of four-band bills and white dudes with identical haircuts.

Scruff of the Neck

Nightbus It’s been a treat to watch NightBus evolve lately. Further to their esteemed curation of top-shelf local acts and general friendly vibes, they’ve recently added a free drink for all ticket-holders and a behemoth neon sign to marvel at as the after party rolls on.

Manchester’s established SOTN have recently set-up shop in Bristol, with a couple of tentative first shows already under their belts.

The first Thursday of the month sees them turn Hy Brasil (prev. Start The Bus) into an indie shrine with a host of tipped acts, before partying into the night.

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A tidy show every third Saturday of the month at Mr Wolfs.

Fat Lip @ The Lanes Monthly pop-punk / post hardcore bands followed by DJs and beer pong.

Department S @ The Lanes (Almost) weekly 60s garage and indie acts followed by DJ John ‘The Mod’

OTHER COMMUNITIES While there are simply too many communities and micro-scenes in Bristol to mention (plenty revolving around the other items in this guide), here are a few more we just had to share.

Café Kino Bristol’s long-standing vegan café has become a hub for all manner of alternative crowds and events over the years. It’s a real safe space where people of whatever background or lifestyle can come and be themselves. Also: burgers.

Roll for the Soul Like bikes? Like coffee?

Like gigs? If you answered yes to these, let’s hang out later. But also, you should check out RFTS. You’ll find a friendly, indie corner smack in the centre of Bristol for those pesky assignments, DIY shows and, er, flat tires.

Bristol Women in Music BWIM are a collective working to raise awareness of the roles and issues of women within the music industry. Earlier this year, they held the first ever Sound Industry conference and their regular open meetups ensure everyone has a chance to speak up.

Looking to get into DJing? Their monthly Mix Nights offer a safe, supportive environment for learning a thing or two about the decks.

Open Mic Nights Open mics are that win-win of free entertainment and creating a space where the next gen’ can cut their musical teeth.

Gloucester Road’s Gallimaufry (previous alumni including George Ezra) hosts a great one each Monday, with Tuesdays at the Grain Barge in Hotwells being well-established too. For something a bit different check out Come Alt Jam at the Old England, where musicians of all kinds (strummers to MCs to electronic artists) are welcome to play, collab, meet or just watch.

BBC Introducing in the West Few bastions of local music are as important as BBC Introducing in the West. They’ve been championing the region’s fledgeling output for approaching ten years (watch this space for Birthday plans) and the best bit is you can get involved too. Head to their ‘uploader’ online to put your band’s music forward for consideration, and tune into BBC Bristol each Saturday at 8pm – or at your leisure online.

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INDIE HAUNTS Bristol has a wealth of unique stores and cafés, with our lengthy Gloucester Road / Stokes Croft being one of the UK’s longest strings of independent spots still standing.

Record Stores

Clothing

Streetwear, vintage threads and oneof-a-kind pieces can all be sourced in Bristol. Stokes Croft’s That Thing specialises in independent designs and customisations, with inspirations from local artists, graffers and music producers. On Park Street, you’ll find BS8 and Uncle Sam’s Vintage, with BS8 stocking 90s-00s gems and Uncle Sam’s having anything from a 40s tea dress to an 80s shell suit.

Right in the centre, there’s Urban Fox, where affordable, hand-picked pieces take centre stage while LOOT, located right by the bus station, stocks the best threads from LA, NYC, Paris, Milan, Berlin and Barcelona.

Say goodbye to your student loan because Bristol boasts some of the best record shops in the country. The newly-opened Rough Trade not only has the best releases in its racks, but the place will also be hosting a huge range of in-stores and live Q&As. If you’re looking for something a little cosier, Friendly Records is an intimate shop with hand-picked selections and approachable staff. You can also browse the Specialist Subject roster at their record store and chat to co-founders Andrew and Kay. If techno, house and dub are more your thing, dance music specialists Idle Hands are renowned for their expert knowledge and freshest cuts. Plus, you can listen before you buy so you’ll be sure to grab the best stuff.

Finally, St Nick’s market offers the kind of classics you only come across once in a lifetime, so be sure to get your cratedigging skills at the ready.

Music Shops PMT - City Centre Mickleburgh - Stokes Croft Unique & Music-Friendly Cafés Café Kino - Stoke’s Croft Roll for the Soul - City Centre Exchange Coffee - Old Market The Canteen - Stokes Croft For venues see page 35

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Unmissable Events for the coming months...

O CT

Simple Things Festival

One of our favourite dates on the Bristol calendar, Simple Things mixes eclectic newcomers with cult heroes. This year it’s looking like the good-taste monster threw up on the poster yet again, with Metronomy, Wild Beasts, Idles, John Maus, Diet Cig, Nadine Shah and Alex G to name but a few.

20th-21st.

Key Tours: Announced so far: Loyle Carner (4th Oct), Vagabon (19th Oct) MØ (23rd Oct), London Grammar (27th Oct), Big Thief (1st Nov), J Hus (1st Nov), Wolf Alice (8th Nov), Metz (23 Nov), Blaenavon (1st Dec)

N OV

SW’s Largest Record Fair

Bristol’s Colston Hall is home to the Southwest’s biggest record fair, spread across three floors. You’ll find everything from expensive rarities to £1 bargains, with all points in between, as you share company with music-lovers and hardcore collectors alike. 4th.

JA N

D EC

NYE in Bristol Yes, we know you have to go home for Christmas to see your parents and endure Uncle Roger, but why not come back in time for a Bristol mega-party? Huge live music bills, choice club shows, tastefully tasteless themed nights and January bank balance-friendly knees ups – there’s always tons going on, so don’t be a stranger.

NYNN January sees Howling Owl Records’ annual celebration of forward-thinking live music, promising an “all-out artnoisereaction assault” on the Arnolfini. Bands TBA, yes, but also art performances and panel discussions, and if previous years are anything to go by, it should be inked into your diaries in blood.

After five years strong, this will be the last – making it all the more unmissable.

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What about Bristol Live Magazine?

BLM in Session

New this year, we’re grabbing our favouritest acts heading through the city for full-band live sessions. Filmed at Bristol’s amazing Factory Studios, we’ve seen everything from intimate acoustics to punk bands tearing the shit out of the live room and, frankly, each month has been magic.

Search ‘BLM in Session’ on YouTube or use the QR below – and hit that subscribe button to get it first!

How could we forget to give you the lowdown on BLM? Our humble little mag is the five-year-strong go-to for gig-goers, music-lovers and musicians alike, with tours, interviews, releases, previews and tons more.

Get a closer look at the Bristol scene as we invite guests left, right and centre to come in and shout about who they are, from labels to festivals and even great local bands. Let our New Music Editor Christian keep you stocked up with new listens each month, and use our nifty live listings section to stay abreast of all the tours and special shows Bristol has to offer. What’s more, there’s even more online with Tracks (and Gigs) of the Week, local music news and in-depth live reviews. You can also join our mailing list to stay in the loop on the best bits you may have missed.

We do a lot, my friends. Perhaps too much – we should really have a cup of tea – but it’s all fuelled by our love for Bristol, and you’ll love it too.

For now, sit back and let us fill you in, one awesome track, show and band at a time.

Other great music blogs & mags: Tap The Feed Crack Magazine DrunkenWerewolf

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The Know Hide The Line B247 (Music)

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BRISTOL BECAUSE...

Kay & Andrew of Specialist Subject

City chat with our fave people.

Who’s your top Bristol artist at the moment?

What’s your favourite thing about the city?

We’ve not lived in Bristol very long, so haven’t had chance to see many local bands yet, but we were blown away

by Dogeyed when we saw her play the Exchange Bar the week we moved here.

We really like how vibrant and progressive the city is. There’s lots going on and the people we’ve met through the shop have been really welcoming.

How would you describe the music scene here?

For punk it’s pretty much got everything!

There’s a great bunch of promoters and labels like Deadpunk and Art Is Hard who are doing great things in the DIY scene, as well as having venues like Exchange and Thekla putting on diverse shows.

And your least favourite?

High rent and high house prices. And the hill we have to walk up on the way home.

What are you most excited about for the rest of this year?

We’re excited about settling into the shop and seeing how it develops. We’re hoping to put on a few events in the run up What are your favourite eats around to our Christmas party at Exchange on town?

16th December – that should be pretty great! We’ve got a couple of releases left The Assembly in Old Market does really for 2017: albums from Durham-based awesome pizza. As does Flour & Ash on Cheltenham Road. Since opening the shop Onsind, and a Californian band called Hard Girls. We’ll also be announcing our we’ve pretty much been working 12-hour 2018 Season Ticket, which will be in its days, so filling up on delicious wraps fourth year. from the Exchange coffee shop, and less delicious chip wraps from the kebabie...

Specialist Subject have releases Muncie Girls, Doe and Personal Best among others, and recently opened a record store above Exchange in Old Market.

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Cover Feature:

IG

C T

ne ra h k oc ir C Qu ia ily ez m K E . w p:

E I D

JOEY FOURR Words: Christian Northwood Photos: Mike Massaro

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Diet Cig exude an infectious vitality. Bursting with equal bounds of playfulness and feisty attitude, their earnest and tenderly-defiant pop-punk has firmly established them as DIY stalwarts and earned them a reputation for energetic live shows. With the re-release of their Over Easy EP on limited edition egg vinyl last month, they both express how much of a surprise the reception has been.

“We wouldn’t have had a lot of our success without that community we’re in.”

“We recorded this just to have a record in the world and the idea of it being repressed onto vinyl now two years later is pretty exciting and crazy,” drummer Noah Bowman says.

Guitarist and vocalist Alex Luciano adds, “we had no idea that people would care about these songs we had kind of just thrown together one summer and it feels really cool that people still care about it so much.”

As a band that has very much grown out of and been integral to DIY communities, their appreciation for the scene is apparent as they glowingly contemplate it. “It definitely gave us a great network to start” Bowman explains. “There’s a little bit more of a sense of community when you’re in a DIY band. You play a house show and it’s more intimate than just going to a bar or pub and playing that place and talking to the bartender who doesn’t know who you are; there’s just more to it. We are, I

guess, moving out of the DIY scene with shows getting bigger and the way everything’s moving forward but we will always love and respect the DIY scene.”

Commenting on the evolution of this scene Luciano adds, “I feel like it’s become a larger community of artists who can rely on each other to help each other out. It’s been really special to be part of such a cool music community of people who want to help each other out and are there for emerging artists as well as established artists. I feel like we wouldn’t have had a lot of our success without that community we’re in.”

On the topic of this creative collectivity and the band’s consistently on-point merchandise, featuring a particularly snazzy Tuesday Bassen-designed satin jacket, Luciano says, “we really like to work with people who we like as friends and are excited to

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collaborate with and we like to work with women artists. It feels good to be able to lift each other up in any way we can and kind of create a community that merges music and art and design.”

In a similar vein, they gush about their label, the ever wonderful Father/ Daughter Records, and how it was through Father/Daughter founder Jessi Frick that they got involved with the Bristol-based Art is Hard Records. “When we were putting out our split we told Jessi we wanted to work with a band in the UK and tour there,” Luciano explains. “She knew the Art Is Hard folks and we’ve become such good friends with them now as a result of it. It kind of just goes back to what I was saying before, how everyone helps each other and grows. I don’t think that we’d be where we are without all of the people surrounding us who are part of this smaller DIY community.”

Having released their debut fulllength Swear I’m Good At This earlier in the year, they both ardently affirm how special it felt for them to be sharing these songs with an audience. “It was like yes, we’ve been working on this for so long and finally we get to let the world listen to it,” Bowman says. In terms of content, the record conveys intimate anecdotes that offer solace in their relatability, with Luciano describing it as “a personal record” for the band.

“Especially with the lyrics,” she adds.

“It was a lot of things that I don’t talk about that much but was able

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to put into our songs and just being able to put that out there and have people respond to it in a way like ‘I get you, this is something I’m going through too’. It was really special to feel, like, I’m not alone, and neither are these people and we have each other. It felt really cathartic and good to share.”

Discussing the progressive shift toward inclusivity over the oftenassociated hostility within punk music Luciano inspiringly declares, “I think if you get to the bottom of it, punk is including everyone and saying ‘fuck you’ to forces of oppression through music and community-building. I think that idea of punk is really strong right now. The very misogynistic, aggressive side of punk is very much alive and well and that’s something as a femme artist you have to fight against,” she adds.

“But at the same time there’s this new wave of reclaiming punk and making it feel like it’s for everyone.”

Undoubtedly it’s thanks to bands like Diet Cig and their unwavering positivity that this inclusive spirit is ever more prominent, proving just how connecting and powerful music can be.

Diet Cig’s debut album Swear I’m Good At This is out now via Father/ Daughter records. They play Simple Things festival on 22nd Oct.

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SUN.01.OCT.17

TUE.10.OCT.17

SAT.21.OCT.17

TUE.03.OCT.17

FRI.13.OCT.17

SAT.21.OCT.17

THU.05.OCT.17

SAT.14.OCT.17 MON.23.OCT.17

SAT.07.OCT.17

SUN.15.OCT.17 MON.23.OCT.17

SUN.08.OCT.17

TUE.17.OCT.17 MON.23.OCT.17

SUN.08.OCT.17

TUE.17.OCT.17 TUE.24.OCT.17

MON.09.OCT.17

FRI.20.OCT.17

WED.25.OCT.17 TUE.10.OCT.17

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SAT.21.OCT.17

THEKLA

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

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

THURSDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

TOM GRENNAN

SUNDAY 15TH OCTOBER

SOLD OUT

STILL REMAINS + CARCER CITY + WARS

FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER

VAN ZELLER

MONDAY 16TH OCTOBER

PEATBOG FAERIES

+ LEECHES + MILO’S PLANES

WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER

SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

IBEYI

HANNI EL KHATIB

THURSDAY 19TH OCTOBER

SUNDAY 1ST OCTOBER

VAGABON

THIS FEELING ALIVE TOUR 2017 MONDAY 2ND OCTOBER

THE DRUMS

+ KEIR

FRIDAY 20TH OCTOBER

LICE + YOWL

SOLD OUT

SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER

RODDY WOOMBLE

TUESDAY 3RD OCTOBER

MY BABY

SOLD OUT

WEDNESDAY 4TH OCTOBER

SUPERFOOD

TUESDAY 24TH OCTOBER

LIGHTYEAR 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER

MABEL

FRIDAY 20TH OCTOBER

SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER

FICKLE FRIENDS

SKINNY LIVING

+ CELESTE

SUNDAY 29TH OCTOBER

SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER

NORMANTON STREET

JAKE CLEMONS MONDAY 30TH OCTOBER

TUESDAY 10TH OCTOBER

THE STRYPES

PICTURE THIS TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER

THE ALARM

MONDAY 23RD OCTOBER

LIAM FRAY

+ DAVE SHARP

THURSDAY 12TH OCTOBER

JORDAN RAKEI FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER

BROTHER STRUT

NEWMOON

+ RAIN

WEDNESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER

BIG THIEF SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

THE TRAVELLING BAND

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New Releases

Records cut, pressed & out this month.

Weaves Wide Open 06.10 | Memphis Industries

Weaves effervesce with a sultry, unpredictable charm. Wide Open, the follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut, opens with the clattering ferocity of ‘#53’, delivering a heady blend of soaring riffs amidst the swells of Jasmyn Burke’s rich, potent vocals. The subsequent tracks see the Toronto-based four-piece swirl and saunter through shimmering swathes of hazy reverb, frenetic dynamism and moments of yearning tenderness.

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Burke’s voice fluctuates from an earnest fragility on quieter tracks such as ‘Puddle’ and the title track ‘Wide Open’, to an erratic intensity, particularly perceptible on ‘Scream’ as the track delves into a frenzy of shrieks and clashing cymbals. The distinctive art-rock that Weaves established with their debut is very much still at the core here, but there’s a greater sense of confidence and clarity to their sound, and perhaps an even greater eclecticism pulsing through the songs. ‘Walkaway’ and ‘Slicked’ stand out as particularly anthemic tracks with their undeniably infectious melodies and empowering attitude. Ultimately, Wide Open is a gloriously eccentric and spirited record that convincingly marks out Weaves’ place in the world. Kezia Cochrane Walkaway

weavesband.com

CURATED BY RISE BRISTOL VOLUME 1 Bossch Records | Out Now

September sees the closure of an integral part of Bristol’s music scene – Rise. The record store has championed local acts throughout the years by stocking their releases and welcoming them to in-store performances, so it seems fitting that they’ve put together four tracks from four of their favourite local artists to say goodbye to Park Street. Featuring Tara Clerkin, Wenonoah, Lice and Idles, the 12-inch is an eclectic look at the Bristol scene over the years.

From the ferocious tendencies of Idles and Lice to the country-twanged tones of Clerkin and the dreamy, electronic disposition of Wenonoah, it’s a quintessential collection of Bristol’s forward-thinking artistry. Sammy Maine

WOLF PARADE CRY CRY CRY Sub Pop | 06.10

Wolf Parade’s 2003 debut EP opened with, “I’m not in love with the modern world.” 2017’s offering renews that feeling. Who knew back then that things could get so much worse?

They reel from the death of icons like Bowie and Cohen, and from global democracy’s apparent demise, with understandable agitation. There’s a sense of rock opera – The Seven Ages of The Thin White Duke – in songs like ‘Valley Boy’ and ‘Am I an Alien Here’. ‘Who Are Ya’ is perky and Sparks-y.

Some of ‘Incantation’ sounds like Madness going apeshit. ‘Lazarus Online’ however, best sums up the album’s restless energy with, “Let’s fight; let’s rage against the night.” Jon Kean

JULIEN BAKER TURN OUT THE LGHTS Matador | 27.10

Baker returns with her ethereal singer-songwriter style. The lone guitar and vocals are much more haunting and complex on this sophomore release, as she emotes about the minutia of the polarising themes like nihilism, faith, love and self-worth.

Baker also gains the production of an artist that sat atop everyone’s year end lists, but it ultimately doesn’t detract from her signature raw sound. Turn Out The Lights is a more cohesive album when compared to her stellar 2015 debut, Sprained Ankle. The album focuses on the seemingly-unattainable goal of achieving balance, especially on tracks ‘Even’ and ‘Appointments’, and, as a result, stands as an example of confessional songwriting.

Albert Testani 33

WOLF ALICE VISIONS OF A LIFE Dirty Hit | Out Now

Visions Of A Life provides easy-listening tracks drenched in Wolf Alice’s trademark rock-angst sound. With the aptly named ‘Yuk Foo’ shadowing hit single ‘Giant Peach’, the band have definitely stayed true to their roots. Stand-out single ‘Beautifully Unconventional’ displays the ease with which Ellie Rowsell can tell a story.

Simple guitar riffs, paired with Rowsell’s narration is not only effective, but pinpoints the essence of the band – angsty alt rock storytelling.

Wolf Alice have really begun to refine their style, which in such a short time frame is truly refreshing.

Catrin Bishop

BULLY LOSING Sub Pop | 20.10

Released on Sub Pop and self-recorded at Electrical Audio, Bully’s sophomore LP has pretty serious punk credentials.

Not that it needs them: Alicia Bognanno’s songwriting and recording talents rely on no credibility, bar her own. With screeching, fizzing guitars and howling vocals, Losing offers little in the way of respite; each song’s quieter sections are rapt in tension for their 34

impending burst of bruising feedback and lyrical disdain. These anxious, cynical tracks are short and disciplined, rooted in power-pop as much as noise rock: ‘Running’ and ‘Hate and Control’ offer some pretty exciting hooks and melodies to match all the fuzz and feedback. A record that demands your attention. Jon Kean

SLAUGHTER BEACH, DOG BIRDIE Big Scary Monsters | 27.10

There’s only a consonant’s difference between ‘laughter’ and ‘slaughter’. When the levy ran dry on Modern Baseball and they began an indefinite hiatus, co-frontman Jake Ewald reverted to his pre-existing solo persona - Slaughter Beach, Dog. Ewald pursues sonic “restraint” on Birdie, evident in Weakerthans-influenced ‘Phoenix’. Guitars slide smoothly over ‘Gold & Green’, power-pop perks up proceedings on the utterly charming ‘Pretty Okay’ and the indie rock of ‘Sleepwalking’ certainly doesn’t slumber. ‘Friend Song’ declares “It’s nice to indulge in new interests,” as if weighty burdens have been lifted.

Following swiftly on from June’s Motorcycle.jpg EP, Ewald’s second release is proof that there’s life in the old dog yet. Jon Kean

COLD SPECKS FOOL’S PARADISE Arts & Crafts | Out Now

This is the third album from Toronto songwriter Ladan Hussein, who gained a Polaris Music Prize nomination for her 2012 debut I Predict A Graceful Expulsion. Focussing on the intimacy of self-reflection with glittering electronic layers, it’s Hussein’s vocals that feel more powerful than ever. Sonically, the album offers a stripped-back repetitiveness, that allows Hussein’s vulnerable lyricism to flourish with a deep, soulful groove. The title track sees Cold Specks’ music incorporate the Somali language for the first time, while ‘Rupture’ and ‘Ancient Habits’ sees Hussein bring forth an 80s nostalgia.

Fool’s Paradise sensitively explores identity and womanhood through gorgeous soundscapes and an exposed, relatable narrative. Sammy Maine

KELELA TAKE ME APART Warp Records | 06.10

In her 2015 EP Hallucinogen, Kelela demonstrated a knack for candid dancefloor anthems like ‘Rewind’, but two years on she’s toned down the bass and dosed up the confessions.

Tracks like ‘S.O.S’ and ‘Waitin’ mix glittering potential with stunted beats, carving her stilted and serene sound into your ears. Yet for the most part Take Me Apart plays like a complex, slowed-down love story; from the many attempts at seduction on ‘Turn To Dust’ to the loaded and lustful ‘Blue Light’.

The album does as the title says, taking apart every aspect of love – with all the nitty-gritty thoughts moulded neatly into 14 slow-burning R&B gems.

Oliver Evans

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KAITLYN AURELIA SMITH THE KID Western Vinyl | 06.10

Since the release of her first fulllength Euclid, the work of Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith has been held in such high regard for a manner of reasons, uniformly lead by the pure human fluidity with which she crafts such exploratory music.

The Kid, her third album in as many years, is an incisive exhibition of such qualities; an album more enhanced than dictated to by the thematic conviction of life, our very existence and the stages which we must experience.

Wondrous, spontaneous and indisputably beautiful, The Kid summons idiosyncratic pieces that are immediately unmistakable, much like a memory becoming ingrained within the mind. As vividly radiant a record as you’ll find this year. Ross Jones

NASTY LITTLE LONELY UGLY VITAMIN Loner Noise | 13.10

Nasty Little Lonely are well known for creating atmospheric backdrops to accompany their music; this single however, feels like a slight departure from their previous releases.

The stripped-down and ferocious way the band attack this track leans their grunge strongly in the punk direction. The discordant quivers of the opening harks of Placebo’s ‘Pure Morning,’ while the slow, unyielding beat of the track slams in a rusty fashion, like one of In Utero’s fuzzy, frenzied, drunk diatribes. Even Charlie Beddoes’ ethereal, fluttering voice turns into a snarling lyric-spitter, infused with venom and menace.

It’s a short offer that packs a punch, glowing with undeniable energy and attitude. Stuart Tidy 36

PHOEBE BRIDGERS STRANGER IN THE ALPS Dead Oceans | Out Now

There aren’t many things as unfathomable as the emotion from hearing a particularly moving piece of music, especially from something as minimal as a singular voice, instrument or foundation. With Stranger In The Alps, Phoebe Bridgers has taken such an unmistakable ability and drawn it across a whole album’s worth of stunning music. Steadily emoting across beautifully yearning structures, tracing the sentimentality of pondering your own past, Bridgers is ethereal, singing at once, bellowing the next, always resonating. Stranger In The Alps blushes under familiar pathways and autumn foliage, as childhood friends have grown with a blink of an eye, all told with remarkable empathy by an already unmistakable identity. Ross Jones

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Dear Dick The best bad advice for your musical problems...

Dear Dick, Why do people always listen to the same music at weddings and the like? I’ve seen three of my mates get hitched this year and it’s like I’m stuck in a loop.

Ricky, St Andrews.

The never-ending meat farm that is society often enjoys its own company.

Weddings and other get-togethers are a chance to, well, get together with like(absent)minded drones and tolerate a little loud music.

In the case of a matrimonious shindig, the theme is often unity. Diversity at a wedding is the cheese and onion in a crisp party bowl. In that case, dis-rhythmically ‘bopping’ en masse to Rihanna contradicting herself is a relatively passable offence.

In all honesty though, witnessing a group of blokes belting out Bohemian Rhapsody is good for the soul. It’s

cathartic in the same way it feels good when you pick a scab. Sheep love getting sheared.

Music can often be a bitter pill.

Sometimes it can be the penicillin of the senses, cleansing and healing.

But often it’s more the viagra, big and repetitive. It’s good to feel like you’re part of something, but better if it takes little to no effort, and there’s no point in working for something when you can get it for free (for the reception: CASH BAR IN EVENING).

Do you have a question?

Email dick@bristollivemagazine.com

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Behind Every Musician

@WeAreTheMU 40

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Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA The Bristol Fringe 32 Princess Victoria Street, BS8 4BZ

Marble Factory / Motion 74-78 Avon Street, BS2 0PX Mother’s Ruin 7-9 St. St Nicholas St, BS1 1UE

The Canteen 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY

Mr Wolf’s 32, St Nicholas St, BS1 1TG

Colston Hall & Lantern Colston Street, BS1 5AR

No. 1 Harbourside 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol BS1 5UH

The Crofters Rights 117-119 Stokes Croft, BS1 3PY Exchange 72-73 Old Market, BS2 OEJ The Fleece 12 St. Thomas Sreet, BS1 6JJ The Gallimaufry 26-28 The Promenade, BS7 8AL The Grain Barge Mardyke Warf, BS8 4RU The Gryphon 41 Colston Street, BS1 5AP Hy Brasil 7-9 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RU

No. 51 51 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QP O2 Academy 1-2 Frogmore Street, BS1 5NA The Old Market Assembly 25 West Street, BS2 0DF Roll For The Soul 2 Quay Street, BS1 2JL SWX Bristol 15 Nelson Street, BS1 2JY Thekla The Grove, BS1 4RB The Thunderbolt 124 Bath Road, BS4 3ED

The Lanes 22 Nelson Street, BS1 2LE

Tobacco Factory Raleigh Road, BS3 1TF

The Louisiana Wapping Road, BS1 6UA

Trinity Centre Trinity Road, BS2 0NW 43

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Rehearsal Listings...

Dockside Studios Fully equipped in central Bristol. Free parking.

No fixed booking times. Equipment hire and storage facilities. Open ‘til 11pm (Sat ‘til 7pm). mail@docksidestudios.co.uk • 0117 934 9994 Albion Dockside Estate, BS1 6UT

Factory Studios Where music is made! Eleven practice rooms, a recording studio and great discounts for student and regular bands. Book by phone or online. info@factorystudios.co.uk // 0117 952 5655 Unit 23, Maze Street, BS5 9TQ

Firebird Studios By musicians for musicians. Friendly, helpful staff, six affordable rooms, onsite parking. Food and drink available. Book by phone or online. info@firebirdstudios.co.uk • 0117 972 1830 21-23 Emery Rd, BS4 5PF

Maverick Studios Rehearsal and recording (audio & video). Large 30’ stage, dedicated sound-booth and control room available. All rooms with PA and drum kit. maverickstudiosbristol@gmail.com • 07833 691 741 Office Tower, Foundry Lane, BS5 7UZ

RS Studios Largest independent rehearsal and recording complex in the Southwest. 18 individual, custom designed & built sound-proof studios. rsstudios@hotmail.com • 0117 971 1495 47-57 Feeder Road, BS2 0SE

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Thoughts

by

Jon Kean, BLM Contributor

Support the Support.

Why don’t you like support acts?

Even Tarquin likes support acts.

Mary Berry likes support acts.

Seriously, what’s the problem?

Don’t make that face, as if you’re always there for the start. Even the times you arrive early, you’re cruising the merch stand, or checking yourself in on social media, so everyone you know can feel shabby about being stuck at home. Sometimes you’re having the noisy catch-up with your gig buddy that you could be having elsewhere, where the drinks are loads cheaper and there’s more variety. Sometimes you are having a catch-up over drinks elsewhere – because they’re cheaper and there’s more variety.

This year alone, I’ve had the joyous surprise of Shock Machine, Clean Cut Kid, Bath’s Feuerhaus and Bristol’s own Gaz Brookfield in support slots. Those epiphanies more than doubled the joy of each evening. I fell in love with Towers after just three songs, on before Desperate Journalist at the Louisiana – three songs before they disbanded forever. Picture Nadine Shah, third on a bill behind Sadpaw (remember them?) and Duke Special in 2013, or catching Sigur Ròs before Godspeed You! Black Emperor at the Trinity in 2000.

It’s not as if asking you to support the support is upselling, like some poor sod asking you if you want a chocolate orange for an extra quid in McColls. You’ve paid to see them; it’s integral to the ticket price. The act you really want to see has probably recommended them. Just because you’ve “never heard of them,” doesn’t make them musically leprous. They haven’t heard of you either. Why not swipe right and see if they’re your type? When your favourite band was playing to three punters and a pug, did that make them shite? Even Foo Fighters like support acts. Mr Grohl – well done.

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Congrats to our faves IDLES for landing their stadium support with Foo Fighters last month, from everyone at BLM.

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