Bristol Beacon listings for April

Bristol Beacon listings: April 2022

This month, Bristol Beacon brings us an extraordinary abundance of entertainment across Bristol and Bath. From melodic afropop, through cathartic pop and rock and lively jazz and contemporary folk, to dramatic orchestral performances and everything in-between. Unmissable events in the next few months include:

Jazz, Rock and Pop: KOKOROKO, Marble Factory, Sunday 3rd April, 8:00pm, £19.62 incl. booking fee

KOKOROKO are a leading force of the London jazz community. Featuring a seismic horn section, guitar, keys, drums and percussion, plus the enchanting vocals of frontwomen Sheila, Cassie and Richie, the band have received critical acclaim from BBC 6 Music, Clash & NPR as well as clocking up over 40m views on YouTube.

Rock and Pop: Portico Quartet, Trinity Centre, Saturday 9th April, 8:00pm, £21.80 incl. booking fee

With an intricately considered sound that encompasses elements of jazz, ambient music, electronica and minimalism, Portico Quartet “stake claims to territory occupied by Radiohead, Cinematic Orchestra and Efterklang” (Guardian). The Mercury Prize-nominated group’s latest release ‘Terrain’ is a three-part suite inspired by American minimalism and pioneering Japanese composer Midori Takada.

Rock and Pop: Cleveland Watkiss and The Great Jamaican Songbook, Bristol Beacon Foyer, Saturday 9th April, 8:00pm, £17.44 incl. booking fee

Co-founder of the ground-breaking Jazz Warriors, across his career Watkiss has performed at the legendary Metalheadz nights at Blue Note, starred in Julian Joseph’s jazz operas and collaborated with the likes of Carroll Thompson and Sugar Minott to mention but a few of his accolades. Watkiss’ latest project ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ sees him delve deep into the golden era of roots music, tracing Jamaican musical legacy from 40s and 50s mento through ska, reggae, dub and lovers rock.

Folk: Calan, Folk House, Saturday 16th April, 8:00pm, £17.44 incl. booking fee

Voted the Best Band at the Wales Folk Awards. Bringing infectious rhythms and high voltage routines, Wales’ greatest folk supergroup Calan return to Bristol with fiddles, accordions, guitars and performances full of raw excitement.

Rock and Pop: The White Buffalo, O2 Academy, Wednesday 20th April, 7:00pm, £20.44 incl. booking fee

American singer/songwriter Jake Smith has been performing under the moniker The White Buffalo since 2002. His 2017 album ‘Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights’ was created in just six weeks, with Rolling Stone describing it as Stone’s “most stylistically rich collection of songs.”

Rock and Pop: Joshua Radin, The Station, Sunday 24th April, 8:00pm, £24.53

With his music played on shows like Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill, Joshua Radin is “one of a crop of singer-song writers whose names became ubiquitous with a particular kind of heartstring-pulling drama” (Americana UK). Over his extensive career, the LA musician has become a worldwide name with his amiable, tender folk-pop.