Nitelife January 2020 by NITELIFE

Ja n 2020 . I S S U E : 144 . F RE E DOCUMENTING BRISTOLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NIGHTLIFE CULTURE SINCE 2007

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ISSUE 144

january 20

mouse 24 I want to make pop music something Bristol can also be proud of.

HIGHLIGHTS Our top gigs and clubnights this month 20-23

WORDS

Bombay Bicycle Club 32 We were young and restless and had our eyes set on different stuff.

Mouse 24 Bombay Bicycle Club 32 Win: Beat Horizon Bristol 37 Green King Cuts 38 Charli Brix 42 Brief Histories: Cocktails 66

LIVE & CLUB LISTINGS

Full event listings this month 46-61

DRINKS GUIDE

Bristol’s favourite watering holes 68-72

Green King Cuts

Grass roots sessions. Supporting the music, not the bar.

Creative Director Carlos Javier | Editor Rachel Morris | Commercial Manager Jodie Guichard | Head of Photography Dominika Scheibinger | Design Manager Steve Hughes Live Photography Dominika Scheibinger, Paul Lippiatt, Alesha Hickmans Rigo Luchi and Mark ‘bub’ Watts nitelifeonline.com | @nitelifebristol | info@nitelifeonline.com

Cover image: Dominika Scheibinger

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JANUARY Highlights Words: Brad Penhaligon

Studio 54 NYE A disco utopia at Bambalan as the club will be theming their night on the iconic New York club Studio 54. Head down early for a delicious feast or show up late and boogie until the early hours. 31 Dec // 7pm – 2am // £10 - £35 // Bambalan

Mark Morton From Richmond, Vancouver – Mark Morton hits Bristol as part of his UK acoustic tour following the release of his album Anaesthetic. The lead guitarist of heavy metal band Lamb of God is giving the solo game a try and has created an album that ‘reflects him as a player’. 8 Jan // 6:30pm – 10pm // £16 // Thekla

Martin Kern Quartet The Swiss-born saxophonist spent time exploring the jazz scenes around Europe before finding his home here in Bristol. His hard-bopping style and suave sound is what labels him as a great devotee of the jazz legacy. 8 Jan // 9:30pm – 12:30am // Free // The Canteen

Waldo’s Gift ft. Andrew Neil-Hayes Waldo’s Gift team up with the spiritual-jazz titan of Bristol’s very own Run Logan Run. Showcasing their own hybrid of groove, combining blinding technique with real creative musical insight and authenticity. 8 Jan // 9pm - 11pm // Free // The Gallimaufry

That’s Ma Dawg Showcasing a range of upcoming talents from BIMM Bristol, with material from Jerome Gamble, Reece Bluck and indie rock band Animal Bar, this party is sure to help kick off the start of term and put a spring in your step. Hosted by Yush. 9 Jan // 9pm – 3am // £3 - £4 // Mr Wolf’s

Decent Exposure A night aimed at giving an opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills on the decks in a friendly environment. Hosted by Max’s Sentient Jukebox, featuring Fortuune, Spoke & Apostas. 10 Jan // 8pm – 12am // Free // To The Moon

Dies Holocaustum The Bristol death metal band celebrate the launch of their debut album Scorched Promised Land, and are bringing a brutal lineup of support including black metal trio Blasfeme, Gloucester’s Blackened Death Metal powerhouse ASCARIS and Weymouth’s Anakim. 10 Jan // 6pm – 10:30pm // £7 // Exchange

Funk The Boat: Lost in Music A cruise through the night with local band The Soul Strutters, and Funk Supreme Dance Troupe keeping you grooving with a mash up of anything from straight up funk, beats, boogaloo and hip-hop through to soulful classics. 10 Jan // 10pm – 3am // £3 - £5 // Thekla

Guns 2 Roses Known for being the only tribute band to play alongside Guns N’ Roses themselves, and have performed on The One Show and Even Better Than the Real Thing in 2017. Your ticket also grants you free entry to the Ultimate Power club night after the show. 10 Jan // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12 // The Fleece

The Hucklebuck A five-piece band prominent around Bristol for playing straight up blues. From early jump blues to later Texas and Chicago material, their authenticity and swing has a great reputation around our city. 10 Jan // 8:30pm – 2am // £4 // Full Moon & Attic Bar

Green King Cuts The legendary soundsystem returns packed with reggae and dub bangers! With the original crew and guests promised, expect another warm and electric atmosphere with Green King Cuts dubplates in abundance. 11 Jan // 10pm – 3:30am // £3 - £5 // Cosies!

Hippo Hippo is an electronic jazz trio based in Bristol, their hybrid music has seen them entertain diverse crowds across the UK - from techno raves to basement jazz clubs and everything in between. 11 Jan // 9:30pm – 1:30am // Free // The Old Market Assembly

Bombay Bicycle Club Just four days before the release of their highly anticipated new album Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, they will be taking the stage of SWX for a special evening. Expect a sneaky preview of the album as well as their previous hits. 13 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // £20 // SWX

Slaughter Beach, Dog After beginning as the solo project for Modern Baseball’s Jake Ewald, Slaughter Beach, Dog has grown into a band with the addition of Ian Farmer, Nick Harris & Zack Robbins - and they’ve now announced a series of UK headline shows following the release of Safe And Also No Fear. 13 Jan // 7.30pm – 11pm // £12 // The Louisiana

HUBB Records Vol. 2 Launch A mix of musicians and producers from different backgrounds with a wide variety of knowledge and skills. Catch some of HUBB Records finest talents including Krooked Tongue, IOTA and SIN AMOR. 16 Jan // 7:30pm – 11pm // Free // Glitch

Critical Sound The heavyweight drum and bass label present a massive showcase at Lakota featuring some of the most renown producers and DJs in the scene including Kasra, Enei and Halogenix, with Carasel, Jakes and vocalist Charli Brix on hosting duties. 17 Jan // 10pm – 6am // £14 // Lakota

Guidance An up and coming drum and bass label making its Bristol debut after some impressive releases. With a heavy lineup including Ulterior Motive, Tyrone and Jubei, and one of the scenes favourite MC’s SP:MC. 18 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £11 // Loco Klub

The Orange Skies Another young local up and coming group, this time in the form of a 60’s inspired Beat band. Their sound is a mix between fairy folk ballads and garage rock, taking inspiration from the likes of The Velvet Underground, The Kinks and Bob Dylan. 18 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // Free // The Lanes

JANUARY Highlights Words: Brad Penhaligon

Noah Gundersen Working his way from teenage hardcore and indie rock to the creation of his own distinctive strain of bold, genre-busting songcraft; the Washington born musician heads to the UK following the release of his new album Lover. 20 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £10 // The Fleece

Sleep Token An elusive collective of masked, nameless musicians - united by their worship of an ancient deity crudely dubbed ‘Sleep’. They create music that brings the most submerged thoughts and feelings to the fore. 23 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £13.50 // Trinity Centre

The Moth Gatherer A post-metal band from Stockholm, finding their sound through personal tragedies in their individual lives. Their whirlwind of a journey that’s spanned over a decade brings them to Bristol for an exciting night with support such as Yuxa, and The Air Turned to Acid. 23 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £4 - £5 // The Old England

Beat Horizon No half measures with this lineup, legends everywhere you look! With the likes of Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, drum and bass pioneers Goldie, Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, Talib Kweli, and Sampa The Great; this one is sure to be an event to remember. 24 Jan // 8pm – 4am // £35.50 // Motion

What is Life Zine Launch Party A new bi-monthly music and arts magazine is launching in the city, with guest contributors responding across five chapters to the subjects of; Birth, Growth, Rebellion, Settlement and Death. Catch their launch party with the likes of Milo’s Planes and The Pleasure Dome. 24 Jan // 7pm – 11:30pm // £7 // Rough Trade

Glade Marie She’s a talented DJ who has played across the country as well as Europe and become a firm favourite in her hometown, with a fusion of beats from the old to the new, J Dilla to J Hus. 25 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £3 // No. 51s

Planet Shroom The ultimate psychedelic experience, famous for its mind blowing production with decorations and lasers, sets from M-THEORY, Hyperdrine and Amaluna will make this another trippy treat. 25 Jan // 10pm – 6am // £10 // Trinity Centre

Krept and Konan The grime and UK rap duo have stapled themselves as two of the most well renowned in the scene in recent years, with this years album Revenge is Sweet including the likes of Headie One, Mostack, and D-Block Europe adding to a long list of popular tunes. 26 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £30 - £39 // O2 Academy

Liquid Lunar Vinyl Special The bi-monthly event at To The Moon is putting on another vinyl special for that old school feel. With anyone with skills on wax welcomed to perform, surround your Sunday with chilled out liquid goodness. 26 Jan // 4pm – 9pm // Free // To The Moon

Ashanti & Ginuwine Ashanti is best known for her features on Ja Rules Always on Time and Fat Joes What’s Luv? As well as her own hits including Foolish, which made her the first female artist to top two Billboard positions. She’ll be joined by Ginuwine, who genuinely needs no introduction. 29 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £37 - £46 // O2 Academy

Colston Hall Presents: KOKOROKO Based in London, they channel the greats of West Africa such as Fela Kuti through a jazz-rooted approach, with soul shaking horns and drum patterns partnering harmonised vocals. They are ones to watch in 2020. 29 Jan // 7.30pm – 11pm // £17.44 // Trinity Centre

Jungle Brown A Manchester trio of MaEar, Ric Flo & Tony Bones. With an approach that feels both fresh and modern yet rooted in classic 90’s East Coast boom-bap hip-hop like A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde. Only positive vibes expected. 30 Jan // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £8 // Crofters Rights

Farfetched Presents: CASCADA Everyone’s favourite early naughties dance music group. Best known for their hit singles Everytime We Touch and Miracle. The German-British dance act have sold over 30 million albums worldwide in addition to an estimated 15 million digital downloads. 31 Jan // 11pm – 4am // £4 - £6 // SWX

Contraband Circus This one promises to be chaotic. After taking time to find the perfect venue, they went for one of Bristol’s hidden gems. With three stages and a mashup of genres from punk to garage, Ska to jungle, as well as circus performances, it promises to be a lively one. 31 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £10 // Loco Klub

Emergency Room w/ Nicolas Lutz My Own Jupiter owner and Fabric regular Nicolas Lutz heads to Bristol for the first Emergency Room of the year with a 3-hour set, promising his usual mystique. Emergency Room resident Zaltsman will be on the decks from the start. 31 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £8 // Thekla

FreQ Nasty An LA based breakbeat DJ and producer who found his sound from exploring genres such as hip-hop and ragga. He has played at the iconic Burning Man festival as well as Glastonbury and will be looking forward to showcasing his sound in Bristol. 31 Jan // 8:30pm – 2am // £4 // Full Moon & Attic Bar

Green Haze + The Offspin The ultimate Green Day tribute band, playing to sell-out crowds at The Manchester Academy, BugJam Festival and various O2 Academies. They are joined by The Offspin, a tribute band to The Offspring, who sold over 40 million albums worldwide. 31 Jan // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12 // The Fleece

Joe Probert + James Humphrys Bristol based singer/drummer Joe Probert hosts a one-time only affair with James Humphrys, a 23-year-old songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist, prolifically gigging in Bristol and beyond and even performing at Glastonbury. 31 Jan // 9pm – 3am // £3- 4 // Mr Wolf’s

local talent

MOUSE SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER MOUSE IS SET TO USHER IN A NEW DAWN FOR POP MUSIC, WITH INFECTIOUS, INTELLIGENT POP HITS.

There’s a sparkling, new pop sound on the scene and it’s being welcomed with wide open arms. Singer, songwriter and producer Mouse unveiled her debut single 3 Weeks at the end of 2018, and the music world was quick to see she was onto something great. Her second single Escape received a remix from Mun Sing’s Heavy Petting alias, while third single Grow got a release on Leisure Records, as well as a remix from low-fi beatmaker Saaaz. Mouse’s latest single Touch dropped last month as part of the Illegal Data #1 compilation, alongside some of the underground’s best, experimental artists from L U C Y to Count Baldor. It’s the first single to be 100 percent produced by Mouse (having co-produced on her first few tracks) and it’s easily her best yet. An infectious dance pop banger, Touch fits right in to the 16-track compilation that scales industrial trance to dungeon trap; though equally, you could hear it playing on a UK top 40. Somehow, Mouse has managed to captivate the experimental underground, while making super catchy songs with mass appeal. ‘I’m very inspired by PC music and that sort of subgenre of pop that’s quite weird and leftfield. Artists like Charli XCX, SOPHIE and A. G. Cook really inspired the way I produce and I write. Fortunately, the guys that run Illegal Data are really into that sort of music too.

‘I think because my tastes are eclectic, that comes through in the way I write, so a lot of different people can find something in it for them.’ You could be forgiven for thinking of pop music in terms of formulaic, repetitive and predictable hooks; however, one of the alluring elements of Mouse’s music is her skill at holding back, playing with tension and delivering huge Beethoven-esque payoffs. So it makes sense when we learn that she is a classically-trained musician with a Grade 8 in piano, as well as playing the bass, drums and being a ‘fantastic recorder player’, among other things. ‘I listened to a lot of classical music’ she says. ‘I’m a classically trained pianist, so theory was very important in the way I learned. Sometimes, I felt that it was a distraction, because I’d get very tuned into: this is how that chord should work with the next chord. ‘So it was taking that knowledge I have through classical training and putting it to one side and thinking: I can take little pieces of this, but really I can focus on just writing this song that I think is great. ‘More pop music than people think probably comes from those great composers. So much incredible music was created back then. Harmonies were amazing. Chords were amazing.’

I listened to a lot of classical music

However, Mouse arrived at her current pop sound via a much heavier detour, having found metal as a teen. Mouse learned to play bass, drums and even had vocal lessons with TesseracT’s Daniel Tompkins. ‘My mum was a huge Kylie and Anastasia fan, and she bought me Atomic Kitten and S Club CDs, stuff like that, so that’s what I was really into as a kid. I used to rush home from school and put a CD on and perform to an imaginary audience. ‘Then I got a bit older, found metal and that was my thing. I loved really heavy music riffs and screamed vocals and quite extreme music. I thought, I’m never going to grow out of metal. I’m going to be a guitarist. I want to be in a band. I don’t really care for anything else. Pop music is lame. And that secret love became almost an embarrassment, because those genres are very opposing.

‘Because I’d had a really bad year, I took myself so seriously. I was very structured, everything came in its place and order; but what I learned in that year was to not take myself too seriously. So when it comes to things like aesthetic, it’s: Okay, what feels fun to me right now? That’s why in my first press shots I was wearing mouse ears, and I thought people would think I look stupid, but I just didn’t care. I thought, this is exactly what I want it to look like in this moment and that’s all that really matters to me.’ That’s not to say there’s not some serious substance in her songwriting. Grow, for example, is a very open and honest song about her own struggle with mental health. Although the music industry is taking strides towards talking about these real issues, if Mouse is the face of future pop, she represents a significant evolution from the shiny pop princesses of her childhood CDs.

Bristol is such a rich city when it comes to all genres, apart from pop ‘Then I guess I grew up again, my life experiences changed and I found pop again. Regardless of whether I would have admitted it when I was a teenager, I’ve always written pop music. No matter if was listening to something else, I’ve always written hooks, I love writing choruses, I love making things as catchy as I possibly can. That has been the continuum throughout that transition.’ While pop-influenced music has been creeping back into favour over the last few yeas, none of it strikes the same chord as Mouse’s all-out embracing of the sound – cheese and all, if you can pardon the pun. Her whole aesthetic and disregard for what’s considered cool is precisely what makes it so. At a time we could all use some uplifting, Mouse provides that tonic, with excellent musicianship and serious talent at its core. ‘When I released 3 Weeks, I’d had a really tough year. I’d lost my job, people had come and gone out of my life, I had a lot of unrest in myself. And I thought, I’m just going to put this song out. I’m not sure if it’s finished, but I could keep working on it forever and probably never release it and actually start doing what I wanted to do.

‘People generally are looking for something deeper. People want something that means more, because there is so much hurt in the world at the moment. This has grown since the nineties and noughties, because with social media and technology we are so in tune with what’s going on in the world. We can see all this negativity, all the time. I think that it’s important for artists to be even more authentic and real and relatable, because it makes people feel less alone – and that’s really important.’ While she’s now well and truly entrenched in the Bristol scene, Mouse actually hails from Scotland. Moving to Bath initially, where she studied commercial music at university, Mouse got her introduction to the Bristol music scene playing bass in Emily Isherwood’s band, meeting a lot of people though that, she says. Over the next few years, she set upon working towards the project that would become Mouse, a nickname used by her mum because of her height and nowconquered shyness.

‘The main reason I chose Mouse as my name was to reclaim my height, which I’ve been insecure about for most of my life. One of my main goals is to empower people to change their perspective on their insecurities and inspire people to learn to love themselves – and if I can continue to do that through my music that’s a win for me.’ With sights deservedly set on big things going into 2020, with ‘at least one EP by this time next year’, Mouse has teased at her new live show with videos on social media that show her rehearsing with a pair of backing dancers. These days, unless you’re looking at Beyonce or Taylor Swift, we’ve become accustomed to a more static vocalist, or some running and rolling around the stage on the more lively end of the scale; Mouse however, is bringing back the hugelyenjoyable choreographed routines of pop music’s late nineties and noughties heyday. ‘I have a short attention span and when I go to a show, I need my attention to be maintained, otherwise my mind goes elsewhere. So I want to make sure that when somebody comes to see me, they’re only focussing on what I’m doing. ‘I feel like pop doesn’t really exist between different levels – you’re either A list, or it just doesn’t really exist. Obviously I’m not there yet, but it’s really difficult to find your footing as an independent pop artist, so having the dancers with me is also alluding to where I want to go.

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‘Bristol is such a rich city when it comes to all genres, apart from pop’ says Mouse. ‘I think that’s worked in my favour, because the traction has been really quick. Obviously, I do work hard as well, but I think it’s helped me that there’s not a lot really out here. But that’s also a shame, because I’m sure there are people around who do want to make similar things to what I’m doing. ‘By making the sort of music that I want to make, I hope that I can encourage people who want to make pop music to start doing it in this city. That’s really important to me. I want to make pop something that Bristol can also be proud of, as well as the really rich DIY punk scene, the drum and bass scene and more underground genres. That’s a side intention with this project, definitely.’ This month, you can catch Mouse playing Exchange’s basement stage at Wax Music & So Young Magazine’s Who Are You? alongside Walt Disco and Fever 103°; though we look forward to seeing much more of Mouse as she ushers in a new dawn for pop music in Bristol and beyond.

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Dominika Scheibinger Mouse: 22 January, Exchange shescalledmouse.com @shescalledmouse

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BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB AFTER SOME NECESSARY TIME APART, INDIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOLDEN CHILDREN ARE BACK WITH A NEW ALBUM AND A FRESH PERSPECTIVE.

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Five years ago it would’ve been fair to say Bombay Bicycle Club were headed down a sure-fire track to burnout. By the end of 2015, after nine months touring with So Long, See You Tomorrow – their first album to reach the UK chart’s #1 spot – the band’s four core members were clamouring for a break. In January 2016, at their peak success to date, they got it, leaving fans bereft as they announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue other projects. But this month, Bombay Bicycle Club return well and truly to the fold. On Friday 17 January they’ll officially launch fifth LP Everything Else Has Gone Wrong – with a Rough Tradeprogrammed show at Bristol’s SWX on Monday 13 January to celebrate. Excited to be heading back to Bristol, an old favourite haunt on the live circuit, they’re looking forward to meeting fans – and maybe catching Big Jeff in the process, says Bombay Bicycle Club’s Ed Nash. Cutting somewhere musically between first LP I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose and number four’s So Long…, frontman Jack Steadman has dubbed the new album an ode to the refuge music offers in anxious times. Amid the climate crisis and grim political wrangling, there’s been plenty to want to seek escape from. Bassist and lyricist Ed Nash explains to Nitelife: ‘This album’s about finding one’s place in the world; companionship, what to do in the future, technology… I guess the starting point for it, funnily enough, was “not doing the band”. We had a long time off and in that time, everyone had grown and kind of become adults. Coming back and having that life experience really informed the music and lyrics.’ It was around a year-and-a-half ago that Steadman and Nash got together to start writing what would become Everything Else…; trekking down to a mate’s house in Cornwall for one week of every month to write music and hothouse ideas. ‘We were working separately from one another, but we had each other there to talk about what we were doing and compare notes, and work on the stuff together when we needed to,’ says Ed. ‘That was a way of just getting out of day-to-day life and entirely focussing on something. At that place in Cornwall there wasn’t even a pub, there was nothing else to do, so we were there doing music from nine in the morning to seven at night – all day, like a job. That’s how the main chunk of the album happened.’ Eventually, they took their output to the rest of the band. Together they worked the songs into shape, then headed

to the studio last March and April to record with Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton; with follow up sessions in LA over August and September. A super-quick process, especially when you consider So Long, See You Tomorrow took nearly three years to write, and another one to lay down. A break has proved to be just the tonic Bombay Bicycle Club’s members needed to reinvigorate mentally and physically, and grow outside of the group. No minor thing, given they’d spent a decade playing together, since they were mere college kids in North London. In that time, they’d produced four LPs pretty much back-to-back, with each one landing a BRIT Certified Gold Award. In the three-year gap, Steadman released an album under the moniker Mr Jukes. Lead guitarist Jamie MacColl launched Undivided: a campaign to bring together under30s Leave and Remain voters to have their say on Brexit negotiations. Nash, meanwhile, produced and toured his debut solo album as Toothless, with Bombay Bicycle Club’s Suren de Saram on drums. ‘We got to find a part of us that we hadn’t really been able to because of lack of time, so I think everyone grew doing these different things,’ says Ed of the hiatus. ‘I learned a lot and was able to contribute, certainly, a lot more than I had before. Or maybe in a different way to before. Everyone is a more rounded individual after that time off. ‘Through doing that – and I can only speak for myself, but – it made me really appreciate what I hadn’t before. The other people in the band, how exciting it was to be able to tour and make records and make albums; do all those things with other people that you love and in a way that other people care about as well. You realise that it’s such a rare thing and it’s to be cherished.’

‘The other thing was, I thought the shows might be full of people my age who’d had the album at the time and were coming back for some kind of nostalgia trip. And there were a lot of those people, but you also had older people and teenagers who’ve come to the album later on and it’s speaking to them – we had this very, very varied range of people. I was very humbled by it. It wasn’t that popular when it came out and now it’s some people’s favourite album, which is incredible.’ Realising they weren’t quite ready to retire Bombay Bicycle Club after all, coming back together for the tenth anniversary became the natural catalyst for the group to start work on new material. They hooked back in singersongwriter and close friend Liz Lawrence to sing throughout Everything Else Has Gone Wrong as she had through So Long…, and pen lyrics for the track list. A flash later and they started trailing single Eat, Sleep, Wake on Instagram; a more mature but still-tingly take on their classic sound. Then title track Everything Else Has Gone Wrong came out not far behind – a song all about ‘finding hope, safety and comfort during times of despair, when everything is crumbling all around you’, tweeted BBC. With the first two singles already racking up millions of streams on Spotify, it’d be understandable if Bombay Bicycle Club were starting to feel old pressures build as their fifth LP gets set to drop. But, says Ed, they are now older, wiser and, now reinvigorated, determined to take a healthier approach to this next album tour. ‘At the end of So Long…, the right thing to do – or on paper the right thing to do – would have been to make another album as soon as we finished. We were really popular and we could have capitalised on that. But for us emotionally it was the wrong thing to do.

That realisation prompted Nash, Steadman and co to start talking about reuniting for a run of live shows to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their first album. Muscle memory kicked in and the result was a mini tour, on which they played their 2009 LP track list in full. The shows were rammed; they’d been missed.

‘We’d like to be happy, mentally and physically doing this. And if we play a few less shows, if we do them in a different way, then it’s better for us, it’s better for the fans and hopefully it can keep us going for longer. You see bands burn out all the time, or fall out with each other, and we’re in a position for that not to happen now.’

It was an eye-opening experience that threw up a few different things, says Ed. ‘Firstly, when we released I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, we only toured it for a couple of months before moving on. We were young and restless and had our eyes set on different stuff. And the shows we were playing were to 150 people. 10 years later, we were playing it to 5,000 people in London. You realise how much it’s grown and how much it really means to people.

Words: Daisy Blacklock Bombay Bicycle Club: 13 January, SWX bombaybicycle.club @bombayinsta 33

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14.00 - 01.00 ¦ Wed 1st January ¦ Star & Garter BS6 5LR charity donation on entry

Bekka Rawkins - Ibiza Mistress Taylor - Brighton Mikey Slade - Ibiza Jack the Lad / Sally Savage / Roach & Spank Macha / Vince Ugly / Miss Rachael

WIN 4 x VIP TICKETS TO BEAT HORIZON Talib Kweli • Sampa The Great • Goldie • Roni Size • Raekwon • LTJ Bukem After a successful launch at Printworks London last year, Beat Horizon has spread its wings and is taking over Motion on 24 January for an evening of hip hop and bass music royalty – paying homage to the forefathers, as well as celebrating the greats of today.

Any one of the monster lineup could hold down a headline slot, so be prepared to have your mind well and truly blown by Talib Kweli, Sampa The Great, Goldie, Roni Size, Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon, LTJ Bukem, Mala, Swindle and Jeru The Damaja.

Beat Horizon will bring a beautiful collision of East and West Coast hip hop, London vs Bristol DnB, dubstep meets dub, and a helping of funk and jazz.

We’ve teamed up with Beat Horizon to give away 4 x VIP tickets, including access to a VIP bar, queue jump and a free drink. For you chance to win, head to nitelifeonline.com/win/beathorizonbristol.

ENTER online

For a chance to win, head to nitelifeonline.com/win/beathorizonbristol

behind the scenes with

Green King WE TALK TO SOUNDSYSTEM ZEALOTS CHRIS IONA AND JAKE HENNESSEY IN THEIR BRISTOL-BASED DUBPLATE CUTTING STUDIO ABOUT KEEPING THE CULTURE ALIVE.

Though relative newcomers, Green King Cuts have had a seismic impact on the Bristol scene since their first release in 2016. Run by longtime friends Chris Iona and Jake Hennessy, every facet of what they do has a pure love of soundsystem culture at its core, whether that’s their strictly-vinyl record label, Green King Soundsystem or their vinyl dubplate cutting service, Green King Studio. We meet them in their Bristol studio while they work through a 150-capped run of DETU001 – DE-TU being another soundsystem music outlet for Chris, who is one half of the dubstep production duo. We’re awed by the artistry of the process, as Chris and Jake oversee each and every cut as we chat.

‘We love vinyl, we’ve grown up around it. We used to go to events back in the day and see people like Youngsta and J:Kenzo running dubplate sets and we were fascinated by that.’ ‘And obviously reggae soundsystem operators,’ says Jake ‘they’re selecting vinyl all night. Channel One, Aba Shanti-I... It’s a fascination, we just love vinyl.’ Green King Cuts have also managed within a few short years to cultivate their own sound palette. Outside of the mainstream, we’re very much in an age where music fans can follow a record label as much as, if not more so, individual artists.

Grass roots sessions. Supporting the music, not the bar A quick glance at the GKC shopfront is all that’s needed to understand how established these two are within the soundsystem world. The last year alone has seen releases from Dougie Wardrop and not one, but two releases from Kromestar – two royal pioneers within Green King Cuts’ core sounds of dub and dubstep. ‘We’re followers of dub, so I think a lot of these artists see that’ Jake explains. ‘We know these people, we’re in the circuit. And when we come to them, we’ve got a good reputation for dealing with artists.’ He continues: ‘In the London scene back in the day, there was a club called Cable and it got a lot of grassroots DJs up there and we were in this mix – I don’t know how. Cable, fabric, Plastic People – it was just this little culture we found ourselves in. Then dubstep started to die down a bit in London and had a little crash.’ ‘So we went to college’ says Chris. ‘We started a music tech course at college when we were 20. We didn’t know what to do with ourselves, so we thought let’s go and learn some music stuff.’ ‘We both smashed that out, finished the course, so it was like, uni, yeah?’ says Jake. Chris moved to Bristol and earned a music engineering degree at dBs Music, while Jake stayed in London to study music business and economics. ‘Chris finished his course and I had one more year left at uni, but I was like, mate, I’m moving to Bristol. I need to be here,’ says Jake, who travelled back and forth from London, while they formed the beginnings of Green King Cuts. ‘When Jake moved here, that was when it really took off’ says Chris. ‘We managed to get all of our ideas down of what we wanted to do.’ What they wanted to do was to respect and contribute to soundsystem culture with a vinyl-only, limited-run record label, bringing together artists from around the world, as well as feeding directly into Bristol’s soundsystem community with events and, later, their own soundsystem. ‘We decided the label would be a vinyl-only thing to keep the vinyl industry going’ says Chris. ‘We never knew we’d be cutting dubplates, so it was purely love of vinyl at the time. We’ve only had these machines about a year now.

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: Martin Thompson @thefacecollective 38

If a track is announced on White Peach, Bandulu, Infernal, et. al, you know what kind of sound you’re getting before you hear the track, and Green King Cuts can certainly be considered within those ranks. ‘The production we put out from Kromestar is not necessarily your usual Kromestar’ says Chris. ‘He’s definitely catered for Green King Cuts. It’s not all about dancefloor riddims, people are giving us their style in reflection to Green King as well. ’ Jake adds: ’The dubstep people, the 140 people, they make belters for us specifically. Like DE-TU, Causa, Saule – all their other releases are on the heavy side, but they come to us with a bit of reggae-influenced dubwise.’ ‘There’s a crossover between real heavy dancefloor tracks and slightly experimental tracks’ says Chris. ‘We’re up for releasing anything. We’re all about the music and the artist.’ ‘Most labels want to sign absolute bangers, but we listen to the tune and if we feel it, it doesn’t always have to be a smasher’ Jake says. The continuing rise of small, independent labels like Green King Cuts has arguably had a bigger impact on music in recent years than any other factor - be it politics, technology or otherwise. By operating from a DIY standpoint, commercial viability plays a lesser part in the equation of new music, and the people calling the shots are individuals like Chris and Jake with a real passion for the music. DIY label heads are able to back music because they love it, not because they need to sell x amount of copies to cover large overheads - meaning they can take risks, push experimental music and drive the scene as a whole forward. Jake and Chris, for instance, run several other small labels, including a 140 and trap imprint, a heavily steppas-focussed label and a jungle label; and Chris is a co-founder of Transient Audio. Chris and Jake take the same approach to their events. Rather than selling out a 1000-capacity venue with a safe headliner and putting the acts they truly care about in Room 2, Green King Cuts’ message is clear and concentrated. ‘We’re not about booking these big major venues who are monopolising on the culture, essentially. Because it hinders

opportunities for people like ourselves and other local soundsystems who throw more frequent events at smaller venues’ says Chris. ‘We love putting on smaller scale events with around between 300 and 500 people – not thousands and thousands of people rocking up for a rave. It’s more of a session. ‘We’re going to be working quite closely with Kuumba Centre in 2020 and putting on more community vibes sessions. Cheap entry, up and coming artists – something for everyone, if you like dub soundsystems.’ ‘Grass roots sessions. Supporting the music, not the bar’ adds Jake. As well as hosting their own events, Jake and Chris debuted the Green King Soundsystem at St Pauls Carnival in 2018. Adding a fourth bin last summer, they now frequently power nights at dub institutions like Black Swan and Trinity, as well being invited to meet other soundsystems around the UK - playing five out of the last six weekends at the time of us speaking. ‘We’re in that fold now, where we’re meeting other soundsystems in a different culture – and we sound half decent’ says Jake. ‘We played at Leicester Dub Club against Zulu Swarm, which is a Caribbean, Jamaican community sound, and we’re in that mix – which is bizarre to us. ‘But at the same time, that’s what we go out and listen to. This Friday, we’ll be at Roots Injection meets Channel One, we’re at Dub Club pretty much every month. Every Teachings in Dub, we’re there. I think that’s why we’ve been accepted into that mix now.’ ‘If there’s soundsystem happening in Bristol, we’re there’ says Chris. ‘We love going out with the people, getting involved, the whole experience of soundsystem.’ When it comes to Green King Soundsystem, again, they keep it traditional and Chris and Jake come with the package as soundsystem operators. ‘With our soundsystem, we’ll go and run tunes all night. We’re not a hire out’ says Jake. ‘If you want the soundsystem, even if you want other people to play on it as well for a booking, we have to play on the soundsystem’ Chris says. ‘We like that culture of the soundsystem and the operator – that’s what we’re into. That’s what we’ve seen, it’s what we love, it’s what we enjoy.’ With the soundsystem taking off, the next step for Jake and Chris was cutting their own dubplates; though it’s not something they entered into lightly, nor would they have been allowed to. Rightly so, the art and means of dubplate cutting is tightly guarded, meaning that those who aren’t properly committed can’t throw the dubplate ecosystem. ‘It was one of things where it’s like, “we’d love to cut dubplates”. It was like a dream where you can’t ever see the reality of it happening’ says Chris.

we’re about the community, because we are the community ‘Jake was adamant we’d get one of these machines and I was saying, “you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into” – the technical side of what it takes. It was all learning, very quick learning, and if you didn’t get it, you’d be paying for it.

As Chris and Jake enter 2020, we can expect more of the same in terms of high calibre releases, as well as a Green King Cuts compilation album featuring artists from around the world, ‘showcasing everyone on one masterpiece’ says Chris.

‘When we got the machine, we went out to Germany to meet a man called Souri. He’s a very famous man, he’s loved around the world in this sort of community. It’s not easy to get one of these machines, you don’t just give them out to everyone. It was a fifty-seven email thread back and forward of questions and questions about why we wanted the machine and what we were going to do with it.

They’re also going to be stepping up their events, having agreed a residency with Kuumba Centre, which will see them putting on regular events on a slightly larger scale. However, Jake and Chris are calling on fans of all music styles to think responsibly about the nights they choose to go to and consider the wider and longterm implications.

‘He invited us out to Germany and we were out there for three days. One day, we went to a barnyard in the middle of nowhere and we were there from 9am to 2am He was non-stop talking the whole time about everything that you’re seeing here – the science of it, the technical side, the physical side. You then have to take all that knowledge that you learned within that one day and put it into trying to succeed in cutting good quality dubplates.’

In particular, they want people to be aware of multi-city promoters, who are monopolising the market and not giving back to the local music scene. An increasingly shared experience among local promoters is big-budget, outside promoters popping up with large-scale events that create significant clashes with grassroots events. While it’s arguably a free market, there’s an etiquette in Bristol that’s in place to support local promoters and thereby the whole scene in the longterm.

‘We set it up and it was fine for the first few days and then boom, we started getting problems’ says Jake. ‘Then for the next six months, you just keep on getting problems. When you learn something, you’ve got to find your mistakes to learn from that. You’ve got to fail to succeed. We went through months and months where a new thing would pop up every week.’

It’s easy to say that passionate people like Green King Cuts hold more longevity and will outlast these temporary brands, but if they’re wiped out in the interim while the big players dominate the whole field, what chance do we have of maintaining a meaningful, local music culture?

‘It was trial and error trying to get the cleanest cut possible’ Chris says. ‘You can get more equipment and hardware and all sorts of additional equipment to enhance your studio set up, however you want it. Everyone has their own set up and we’ve got ours and it works for us now.’

‘Eventually we won’t be able to put on events. We’ll get driven out by these big brands. It’s difficult. They’re getting the same thing up North, it’s the same promoters who are coming in and doing it in their city as well.’

‘We were so close to being like, nah this isn’t for us’ says Jake. ‘You read online about people getting a machine and they can’t even get a clean cut in a year, so they end up shoving it in a corner or selling it.’ ‘That’s actually how we accumulated our second machine’ Chris says. ‘This could get you in a hole very quickly if you start messing things up’ says Jake. ‘Before you know it, you’ve done hundreds of pounds on blanks, hundreds of pounds on diamond needles. If you don’t learn quick, you’re a grand down.’ Watching them at work however, they certainly look like they know what they’re doing now and they’ve already built up an excellent reputation for their dubplates since setting up their studio.

‘The bubble will burst’ Jake warns.

‘Bloodsuckers. They’re vampires’ says Jake. ‘They come, make their money and they go. What are they doing for Bristol culture?’ ‘You’re not going to see them at Teachings in Dub, in the arena with the community. People like me and Jake are there, paying ten quid everywhere. That’s what we’re about – we’re about the community, because we are the community’ says Chris. ‘These smaller events, they need to be backed, otherwise there is no culture – it’s just A and B’ Chris continues. ‘We’re community driven. People ask to come help us out, set up a soundsystem – anyone’s welcome. Come along, come join us. We let anyone in. People message us and say they want to come see it, so we say “yeah, come and join us. Come lift a few boxes, come and learn”. We love it.’

11 January – Green King Cuts, Cosies 17 January – CNCPT x Green King Cuts, The Black Swan greenkingcuts.co.uk 41

20 questions

with

Charli Brix Charli Brix has earned a name as the go-to vocalist on the darker, grittier spectrum of drum and bass. Initiating herself spectacularly in 2015 on Enei’s Just One Look, she’s continued to collaborate with Enei on the regular, including a track for his Sinking EP on Critical last month; while other high profile features with Changing Faces, Ill Truth and Hugh Hardie have seen releases on RAM, Symmetry and Hospital Records. However, 2019 brought the long-awaited release of Charli’s debut solo EP, Kintsugi. Released on Flexout Audio last summer, the four-track EP features production from QZB, Phaction, Visages and Data 3. Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals, Kintsugi makes something more beautiful from fractured parts. While from a personal point of view, Charli says this refers to the idea of celebrating flaws rather than hiding them, the concept also neatly applies to the way Charli brings together four different producers – with her being the golden vein running through. It’s a treat to witness Charli across a single body of work, where her vocal signature as well as her versatility shines through. Kintsugi sees Charli divide her attention between two darker-style tracks she’s best known for and two lighter liquid rollers. A skilled DJ and budding producer, Charli is also part of KCDC with Kyrist, Collette Warren and Enada. The drum and bass collective play out together as well as hosting a monthly residency 1020 radio, with plans for some original productions in the works. Charli is kicking off 2020 with huge shows at fabric, Studio 338 and Hospitality on the Beach already in the diary. You can find her spinning and singing in Bristol this January with Critical Sound at Lakota, as well as the Rotations resident party at Asylum.

Who are your top three acts right now? Fade Black, Visages and QZB. Which song by another artist most inspires you? Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come. First piece of music you bought?

Life motto? Don’t be a dick. Spirit animal? Probably a parrot – I’m loud, colourful and talk too much. Tea or coffee?

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Greatest Hits.

Coffee (recently converted – hold tight BTP).

Most recent?

Sun or snow?

Swindle – No More Normal.

Snow.

Who is or was the most underrated artist, in your opinion?

Festivals: big or boutique?

Etta Bond. The woman has been grafting for YEARS. I’ve followed her since I was sixteen and her sound is so ahead of the game. It’s 2am and the party is dying down, what track do you play to get everyone going again? Gypsy Woman – Crystal Waters. Favourite book? The Diary Of Anne Frank. An interesting choice I know, but I’ve kept a journal for nearly ten years and the honesty of her writing and the portrayal of such struggle is endlessly inspiring. I learnt a lot from that book. Most recent binge watch? Working Moms on Netflix – completely unrelatable, but utterly hilarious.

Ten years ago I would have said big, but I’m pushing 30 now and my body can’t handle it... so boutique. I want running water, home comforts and bell tents, baby. Pet peeve? People stopping dead in front of you when you’re walking. fuck. my. life. Do you have any secret skills? I bake a mean pie, I can knit you a childsized hat (it’ll take about three years, but it’ll come) and I make my own cards and gifts (largely because I’m a broke freelance musician and full-time student – but don’t tell my mates).

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? ‘Time is the most precious commodity there is. You can make more money, but you can never make more time’ and ‘do what makes you happy’ – both sentiments were the driving forces for me quitting a well-paid job and starting university at 26 and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Tell us something people don’t generally know about you... I have crippling stage fright and performance anxiety. I have various exercises and pre-gig rituals that I practise to alleviate the nerves and it’s improved dramatically since studying at BIMM, but it’s something I combat on a daily basis! What is your oldest possession? A teddy bear that I got on my ninth birthday. It’s the only possession I have from my childhood and he’s been with me for 20 years. His name is Benji and he’s a badman. What are you doing tomorrow? I have two hand-ins due for uni so I’ll be working on those, I’m meeting my good friend and fellow vocalist Collette Warren for a chinwag and some grub, and then I’ll probably get high and catch up on Attenborough (big up Dave).

As a child, what did you want to be when you grow up? I wanted to be in the Army, believe it or not! I did two years of Army Cadets and was raised around my uncles and family members who were enlisted. Then I grew up and realised that war is bulls**t and decided to focus my attention elsewhere.

Words: Rachel Morris Photos: @thefotomatic Charli Brix: 17 January – Critical Sound, Lakota 24 January – Rotations, Asylum soundcloud.com/charli-brix @charlibrix

DHP PRESENTS

TUE.07.JAN.20 UT SOLD O

Wage War THE FLEECE

WED.08.JAN.20

Mark Morton THEKLA

THU.09.JAN.20

Nekrogoblikon THEKLA

THU.23.JAN.20

Giant Drag THEKLA

THU.23.JAN.20

Sleep Token TRINITY CENTRE SUN.26.JAN.20

Insomnium THEKLA

TUE.28.JAN.20

Twin Temple THEKLA

THU.30.JAN.20

Uncle Frank THEKLA

FRI.31.JAN.20 UT SOLD O

Sam Fender O2 ACADEMY

SAT.01.FEB.20

Beans On Toast TRINITY CENTRE SUN.02.FEB.20

The Local Honeys THE LOUISIANA TUE.04.FEB.20

Ider THEKLA

TUE.04.FEB.20

Yep Roc Showcase THE LOUISIANA WED.05.FEB.20

3teeth THEKLA

WED.05.FEB.20

Olivia Lane CROFTERS RIGHTS THU.06.FEB.20

Pkew Pkew Pkew THEKLA

FRI.07.FEB.20

Polica THEKLA

MON.10.FEB.20

Ariel Posen THE LOUISIANA MON.10.FEB.20

The Hu O2 ACADEMY

TUE.11.FEB.20

Asgeir SWX

TUE.11.FEB.20

Counterparts EXCHANGE

TUE.11.FEB.20

Joe Gideon THE LOUISIANA WED.12.FEB.20

Beth Hart

CARDIFF ST. DAVID’S HALL SUN.16.FEB.20

Lauran Hibberd THE LOUISIANA MON.17.FEB.20

Twin Peaks THEKLA

TUE.18.FEB.20

Black Futures EXCHANGE

THU.20.FEB.20

DIIV SWX

THU.20.FEB.20 UT SOLD O

Rosie Lowe THE LOUISIANA THU.20.FEB.20

The Inspector Cluzo EXCHANGE

FRI.21.FEB.20

James Blunt

CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA FRI.21.FEB.20

Laurence Fox THEKLA

FRI.21.FEB.20

Sam Lee

CARDIFF THE GATE SAT.22.FEB.20

Apre

THE LOUISIANA SAT.22.FEB.20

The Rifles THEKLA

SUN.23.FEB.20

Zuzu

THE LOUISIANA TUE.25.FEB.20

Boy & Bear THEKLA

TUE.25.FEB.20

Sorcha Richardson THE LOUISIANA TUE.25.FEB.20

William Doyle CROFTERS RIGHTS WED.26.FEB.20

Déjà Vega THE LOUISIANA THU.27.FEB.20

God Damn THE LOUISIANA

FRI.28.FEB.20 UT SOLD O

The Mysterines THE LOUISIANA

SUN.01.MAR.20

WED.18.MAR.20

...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead

Brooke Bentham

MON.02.MAR.20

SWX

EXCHANGE

Franc Moody THE FLEECE

MON.02.MAR.20

Winston Surfshirt THEKLA

TUE.03.MAR.20

The Luka State

CROFTERS RIGHTS TUE.03.MAR.20

The Sherlocks THEKLA

TUE.03.MAR.20

Torres

THE LOUISIANA WED.04.MAR.20

Samantha Fish CARDIFF THE GLOBE THU.05.MAR.20

Alfa Mist SWX

THU.05.MAR.20

Stray & The Groundhogs THEKLA

SAT.07.MAR.20

Samantha Fish TRINITY CENTRE MON.09.MAR.20

Eliza Shaddad CROFTERS RIGHTS TUE.10.MAR.20

Kid Kapichi CROFTERS RIGHTS WED.11.MAR.20 UT SOLD O

Lewis Capaldi

CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA THU.12.MAR.20

Anamanaguchi THEKLA

FRI.13.MAR.20

Wolf Parade THEKLA

FRI.13.MAR.20

Frank Turner BATH THE FORUM SAT.14.MAR.20

Seafret SWX

SAT.14.MAR.20

Tungz

ROUGH TRADE SUN.15.MAR.20

Slotface THE LOUISIANA

CROFTERS RIGHTS WED.18.MAR.20

Gabrielle Aplin SUN.22.MAR.20

Black Water County EXCHANGE

SUN.22.MAR.20

M Huncho

THE MARBLE FACTORY MON.23.MAR.20

M Huncho

CARDIFF THE TRAMSHED TUE.24.MAR.20

Litany

THE LOUISIANA THU.26.MAR.20

Rews

EXCHANGE SAT.28.MAR.20

The Icicle Works THEKLA

MON.30.MAR.20 UT SOLD O

Amy Wadge THE FLEECE

WED.01.APR.20

Pinegrove SWX

THU.02.APR.20

The Trials Of Cato THE LOUISIANA SAT.04.APR.20

Wille & The Bandits THEKLA

SAT.04.APR.20

The Hawkmen THE LOUISIANA MON.06.APR.20

Caribou O2 ACADEMY

SAT.11.APR.20

Space THEKLA

SUN.12.APR.20

The Night Cafe SWX

SUN.12.APR.20

The Way Down Wanderers THE LOUISIANA THU.16.APR.20

Millie Manders And The Shutup THE LOUISIANA SAT.18.APR.20 UT SOLD O

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs THEKLA

TUE.21.APR.20

Jp Cooper SWX

FRI.24.APR.20

Darwin Deez THEKLA

FRI.24.APR.20

Mystery Jets TRINITY CENTRE SAT.25.APR.20

Emily Burns ROUGH TRADE SAT.25.APR.20

Lanterns On The Lake THEKLA

WED.29.APR.20

Fat Freddy’s Drop

CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA THU.30.APR.20

Redd Kross EXCHANGE

SAT.02.MAY.20

True Strays THE LOUISIANA THU.07.MAY.20

The Hara BATH MOLES

FRI.15.MAY.20

Oh My God! It’s The Church THEKLA

THU.21.MAY.20

Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather O2 ACADEMY

SAT.23.MAY.20

Dot To Dot Festival 2020 VARIOUS VENUES SAT.30.MAY.20

Gerry Cinnamon CARDIFF CASTLE THU.01.OCT.20

W.A.S.P SWX

WED.14.OCT.20

W.A.S.P

CARDIFF THE TRAMSHED SUN.05.JUL.20

Legendary Shack Shakers THEKLA

SUN.02.AUG.20 UT SOLD O

Lionel Richie CARDIFF CASTLE

A LT T I C K E TS .CO M F B .CO M /A LT T I C K E TS @ A LT T I C K E TS

LIVE GUIDE VENUES

51 STOKES CROFT 46 O2 ACADEMY 47 BAMBALAN 48 THE CANTEEN 49 COLSTON HALL 50 THE CROFTERS RIGHTS 51 THE FLEECE 52 FULL MOON & ATTIC BAR 53 THE GALLIMAUFRY 54 THE LANES 55 MR WOLFS 56 THE OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY 57 SWX 58 THEKLA 59 TO THE MOON 60 TRINITY 61

51 stokes croft Instagram @51stokescroft // facebook.com/51stokescroft 51 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP // 01179 148 048 // 51stokescroft.com

From the same team behind Mr Wolfs, No.51s showcases a funkier genre, with disco, house, techno, breakbeat and general rhythms that lead to the dancefloor taking the bulk of their events. That’s not to say you won’t find the occasional live offering or open mic night. No.51s hides a very decent beer garden out back and regularly makes use of it with day and night parties through the year. They’ve also earned a reputation as one of the best pizza spots in town, with a wood-fired pizza oven on site and a creative kitchen team. A great spot all week for drinks, dancing and good vibes.

January Highlights

GLADE MARIE

CHEF DE PARTY

25 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £3

31 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £3 – £4

She’s a talented DJ who has played across the country as well as Europe and become a firm favourite in her home town, with a fusion of beats from the old to the new, J Dilla to J Hus.

Born out of the free party and DnB scene, this multi genre selector brings a funk filled fusion of hip-hop, disco and soul with tasteful remixes and old school classics to make the dancefloor groove.

02 academy

Instagram @o2academybris // facebook.com/o2academybristol Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA // 0117 927 9227 // o2academybristol.co.uk

A classic live venue, O2 Academy Bristol is designed entirely around what’s happening on stage. They recently refitted their sound desk to ensure perfect acoustics whether you’re in the mosh pit or the balcony – they even offer double pints at the bar, so you won’t need to return during a gig. As well hosting major touring acts, the venue is a key stop off point for artists on their way up, with early shows from the likes of Kings of Leon and Kendrick Lamar. After curfew, the venue can transform into a club, hosting regular student nights, as well as special one-offs, such as Kisstory or grime epic Eskimo Dance.

January Highlights

KREPT AND KONAN

ASHANTI & GINUWINE

26 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £30 – £39

29 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £37 - £46

The grime and UK rap duo have stapled themselves as two of the most well renowned in the scene in recent years, with this years album Revenge is Sweet including the likes of Headie One, Mostack, and D-Block Europe adding to a long list of popular tunes.

Ashanti is best known for her features on Ja Rules Always on Time . As well as her own hits including Foolish, which made her the first female artist to occupy the top two Billboard positions. She is joined by Ginuwine, known for his Platinum albums The Bachelor and 100% Ginuwine.

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

Sun 26th Jan

Fri 6th Mar

Fri 17th Apr • 6.30pm

Krept & Konan

Oh Wonder

+ Yungen + K-Trap + Kiico

+ Dizzy

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

Mon 27th Jan

Sun 8th Mar

Caravan Palace

Sisters Of Mercy

Tue 21st Apr

Wed 29th Jan

Ashanti & Ginuwine + Mario Fri 31st Jan • 6.30pm • SOLD OUT

Sam Fender

+ A.A. Williams Thur 12th Mar

Stiff Little Fingers + TV Smith + The Professionals Fri 13th Mar • SOLD OUT

+ Brooke Bentham

Sat 1st Feb • 10pm

Sat 14th Mar

Innovation

The Dualers

Sun 2nd Feb • SOLD OUT

Thur 19th Mar

Kano

Lightning Seeds

Tue 4th Feb

Fri 20th Mar • 6pm

The Interrupters

The Subways

+ Buster Shuffle + The Skints

+ Art Brut

Wed 5th Feb • SOLD OUT

Mon 23rd Mar

Steel Panther

Cigarettes After Sex

+ Wayward Sons

Tue 24th Mar

Mon 10th Feb

Ash

The HU

Fri 27 Mar

Mon 24th Feb

James Bond – in concert

Beartooth

Sat 28th Mar

+ The Amity Affliction + Higher Power

I Prevail

Thur 27th Feb

Thur 2nd Apr • 6pm

Hot 8 Brass Band Sat 29th Feb • 10pm

Garage Nation Tue 3rd Mar

Testament

+ Dream State

Lamb of God + Kreator + Power Trip Thur 23rd Apr

Feeder Sun 3rd May

Steel Pulse Tue 5th May

The Mission Fri 8th May • 6.30pm

The Shires Mon 18th May

BROCKHAMPTON Thur 21st May

Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather Sat 13th Jun • 6.30pm

WAR + Cymande + The Blackbyrds Wed 17th Jun • 5.30pm

Volbeat Fri 18th Sep • 7.30pm

Rend Collective Thur 8th Oct

Roachford

Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Juke Box

Sat 4th Apr • 10pm

Wed 21st Oct

Hybrid Minds Mon 6th Apr

Caribou

Thur 5th Mar

Wed 15th Apr

Example

Rak-Su

Heels of Hell Fri 6th Nov • 6.30pm

Soul II Soul Fri 4th Dec • 6.30pm

Heaven 17

O2 Academy Bristol

ticketmaster.co.uk

Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA • Doors 7pm unless stated Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 4pm

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

o2academybristol.co.uk

January • 2020

Bambalan

Instagram @bambalanbristol // facebook.com/bambalanbristol Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 4XE // @bambalanbristol // 0117 922 1880 // bambalan.co.uk

Arguably the best roof terrace in Bristol, Bambalan boasts amazing views over the city with resident DJs regularly pumping out tunes from the rooftop DJ booth. Bambalan’s music policy is funk, soul, house and disco – which matches their upbeat, good time attitude. As well as a delicious North African kitchen menu, Bambalan’s bar stocks a selection craft beers, ciders and happy hour cocktails, and is probably the best place in Bristol to get an Aperol Spritz. Bambalan boasts plenty of inside and outside space, plus table football and table tennis on the balcony.

January Highlights

STUDIO 54 NYE

TERRACE SESSIONS

31 Dec // 7pm – 2am // £10

Every weekend // 5pm – 10pm // Free

A disco utopia at Bambalan as the club will be theming their night on the iconic New York club Studio 54. Head down early for a delicious feast or show up late and boogie until the early hours.

N OPE R Y

G ISTO O O L F D O AW O AR D DS

E E V D AY

EAT, DRINK & DANCE

Catch Bristol’s best DJs on Bambalan’s roof terrace every Friday and Saturday

bambalan.co.uk

bambalanbristol @bambalanbristol WANT TO JUST PARTY?

@bam_ba_lan

01 TM 8 ED IT E WIN RR N E ANEAN R

BES

The rooftop boogie will be back in weekly business for 2020, with Bambalan residents taking over the terrace with funk and soul, house, disco and more. The perfect way to get over the January blues.

the canteen

Instagram @canteenbristol // facebook.com/thecanteenbristol Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY // 0117 923 2017 // canteenbristol.co.uk

The Canteen emerged out of the creative inspiration and collective efforts of a bunch of Stokes Croft and Bristol brilliants. One of the only spaces in Bristol offering live, free music every day of the week, The Canteen offers a varied program of live music and DJs lovingly curated by the Ear Trumpet Music crew. Expect folk, jazz and acapella ensembles during the week, with things ramping up from Thursday to Saturday, when you should come prepared to sweat it out on the dancefloor. Alongside a great bar selection, the kitchen offers a range of locally sourced food, with vegetarian, gluten free and vegan options.

January Highlights

MARTIN KERN QUARTET

BANDINI

8 Jan // 9:30pm – 12:30am // Free

23 Jan // 9:30pm – 12am // Free

The Swiss-born saxophonist spent time exploring the jazz scenes around Europe before finding his home here in Bristol. His hard-bopping style and suave sound is what labels him as a great devotee of the jazz legacy.

An exciting new contemporary artist reimagining fusion music. He has successfully incorporated aspects of jazz, blues, rock and gypsy into a unique sound, taking influence from Tom Waits piano, Dr.Johns blues, and the beat generation.

Wed 1 CLOSED Thur 2 Dan Waldman Hammond Quartet Fri 3 Troyka Sat 4 Boogaloo String Band Sun 5 Acousticians Mon 6 Canteen Jazz Session Tue 7 Kait Lee & Eddie Jay Wed 8 Martin Kern Quartet

Sun 12 Edd Bateman’s West African Love Affair Mon 13 DeCyphers Hip Hop Session Tue 14 Ben Osborn Wed 15 Bristol European Jazz Ensemble Thur 16 The Big R Big Band Fri 17 The Real Skadub Sat 18 Gnawa Blues All Stars

Wed 22 Steve Mathers Quartet Thur 23 Bandini Fri 24 Bare Souls Sat 25 Yoko Pwno Sun 26 Eastern Strings Mon 27 Slim’s Blues & Roots Session Tue 28 Lebo

Thur 9 Old Bones Collective

Sun 19 Al Fresco Trio

Wed 29 Herondrone

Fri 10 Young Pilgrims

Mon 20 Canteen Latin Session

Thur 30 Mark J Lee

Sat 11 The Whiskey Rebellion

Tue 21 Steph Grace

Fri 31 Franz Von

canteenbristol.co.uk * The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY

Colston hall Presents Instagram @colstonhall // facebook.com/ColstonHall Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR // 0117 203 4040 // colstonhall.org

While Colston Hall undergoes a £50m major redevelopment to transform the 150-yearold hall into a world class venue, the Colston Hall Presents series sees Bristol’s largest concert venue take flight across the city. Making use of a multitude of independent venues and spaces, Colston Hall are continuing to deliver a diverse programme of events from classical music to alternative rock. From the biggest names in the business to the most obscure, the Colston Hall team aim to push boundaries and keep us on our toes, with something on offer almost every night of the week.

January Highlights

COLSTON HALL PRESENTS: KOKOROKO

COLSTON HALL PRESENTS: ANNA MEREDITH

29 Jan // 7.30pm - 11pm // £17.44

6 Feb // 7:30pm – 10pm // £15

Based in London, they channel the greats of West Africa such as Fela Kuti through a jazz-rooted approach, with soul shaking horns and drum patterns partnering harmonised vocals. They are ones to watch in 2020.

book

0117 203 4040 colstonhall.org

Colston Hall loudly and proudly presents great shows in venues across Bristol Sun 19 Jan

Wed 12 Feb

Sun 8 Mar

The East Pointers

YACHT

Bristol Folk House

Exchange

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

Tue 28 Jan

Tue 18 Feb

Jonah Tolchin

Daddy Long Legs

The Wardrobe Theatre Wed 29 Jan

KOKOROKO Trinity Fri 31 Jan

Fri 21 Feb

Tue 17 Mar

CocoRosie

Bristol Folk House

Damien Jurado

Bristol Folk House Thu 6 Feb

Anna Meredith Trinity Fri 7 Feb

Sean McConnell The Crofters Rights Tue 11 Feb

Gill Landry The Wardrobe Theatre

The Louisiana

HMLTD Sun 23 Feb

Sun 2 Feb

Sun 15 Mar

Yorkston Thorne Khan

Exchange

David Wax Museum

Lisa O’Neill

The Louisiana

Exchange

St George’s Bristol Wed 26 Feb

A Winged Victory for the Sullen Trinity

Trinity Fri 20 Mar

Ziggy Alberts SWX Sat 21 Mar

Andy Shauf Fiddlers Sat 21 Mar

Blanck Mass

Princess Nokia + Tkay Maidza

Loco Klub

Trinity

Thu 5 Mar

Sat 7 Mar

Sun 22 Mar

Andreya Triana

Fly Pan Am

Exchange

Colston Hall Foyer

A multi-talented composer, producer and performer of electronic and acoustic music, with a genre-bending sound she straddles different worlds of contemporary classical, art pop, techno, ambient + experimental rock.

the crofters rights Instagram @Crofters_Rights // facebook.com/croftersrights 117-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RW // 0117 2310 079 // croftersrights.co.uk

Situated in the heart of Stokes Croft, Crofters’ back room hosts everything from punk gigs to storytelling, comedy to experimental noise. Their music programme veers towards the underground and obscure, and hosts regular takeovers from some of Bristol’s best promoters. Open late every Friday and Saturday, the seperate bar area boasts an ever changing list of 17 keg and cask, draught beers and ciders. You can expect anything from tropical dance music to heavier house, techno, drum and bass and grime events, and their giant mirror ball attracts a good few disco nights too.

January Highlights

HIBOU

JUNGLE BROWN

28 Jan // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £8

30 Jan // 7:30pm – 10:30pm // £8

Formerly a drummer from band Craft Spells, Peter Michel AKA Hibou’s vocals comfortably twist from echoing whispers to punkish accusations; his guitar from dizzying surf hooks to lush 80s-inspired chords. He heads to Bristol again with some special guests for another awesome night.

A Manchester trio of MaEar, Ric Flo & Tony Bones. With an approach that feels both fresh and modern yet rooted in classic 90’s East Coast boom-bap hip-hop like A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde. Only positive vibes expected.

THe fleece

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

Steeped in local history, The Fleece has been a vital part of Bristol’s music scene since 1982. The grade II listed building has hosted many music legends on its stage, including Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Oasis, Muse, Amy Winehouse, Queens Of The Stone Age and Ed Sheeran. The Fleece offers music seven nights a week, with live gigs from major touring artists as well as up-and-comings, a range of tribute acts, and regular clubnights. The 450-capacity venue has one of the best stage views around, whether you prefer to stand at the back or at the barrier; as well as a perfect dancefloor for clubnights.

January Highlights

GUNS 2 ROSES

GREEN HAZE + THE OFFSPIN

10 Jan // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12

31 Jan // 7pm – 10:30pm // £12

Known for being the only tribute band to play alongside Guns N’ Roses themselves, and have performed on The One Show and Even Better Than the Real Thing in 2017. Your ticket also grants you free entry to the Ultimate Power club night after the show.

The ultimate Green Day tribute band, playing to sell-out crowds at The Manchester Academy, BugJam Festival and various O2 Academies. They are joined by The Offspin, a tribute band to The Offspring, who sold over 40 million albums worldwide

THE FULL MOON & ATTIC BAR Instagram - @thefullmoonbristol // facebook.com/thefullmoonandatticbar 1 North Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3PR // 01179 245 007 // fmbristol.co.uk

This Stokes Croft hub presents a triplepronged attack, with a pop-up outdoor stage, DJs in the Full Moon pub and live action in Attic Bar. Musically, you’ll find a slight bias towards more sun-soaked sounds like dub and reggae, though you never know what you’ll find when you walk through Attic Bar’s doors. As well as curating their own impressive music calendar, Attic Bar also hosts regular takeovers from the likes of Tun Up! and AFT Records. Their annual Yard Party is one of the first and best events in the summer calendar, making great use of their huge courtyard.

January Highlights

THE HUCKLEBUCK

FREQ NASTY

10 Jan // 8:30pm – 2am // £4

31 Jan // 8:30pm – 2am // £4

A five-piece band prominent around Bristol for playing straight up blues. From early jump blues to later Texas and Chicago material, their authenticity and swing has a great reputation around our city.

An LA based breakbeat DJ and producer who found his sound from exploring genres such as hip-hop and ragga. He has played at the iconic Burning Man festival as well as Glastonbury and will be looking forward to showcasing his sound in Bristol.

VP PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

2020

DESIGN: INKIE.CO.UK

the gallimaufry

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

Gloucester Road’s unofficial hub for innovative jazz, The Galli hosts weeknight residencies from two brilliant jazzorientated, technically-gifted improv groups: Waldo’s Gift Trio and Snazzback. Between them, they offer a combination of hip hop, afro funk, jazz, math and electronica. Friday and Saturday nights bring a selection of DJs and dancing until 1am, while the rest of week is reserved for wide range of carefully-considered live music in a relaxed setting. Entry is always free and you’ll find art and installations from Bristol creatives to enjoy throughout the venue.

January Highlights

WALDO’S GIFT FT. ANDREW NEIL-HAYES

EMILY ISHERWOOD + WETLEG

8 Jan // 9pm - 11pm // Free

14 Jan // 9pm - 11pm // Free entry

Waldo’s Gift team up with the spiritual-jazz titan of Bristol’s very own Run Logan Run. Showcasing their own hybrid of groove, combining blinding technique with real creative musical insight and authenticity.

JANUARY thegallimaufry.co.uk

MONDAY

FRIDAY

Hosted by Mike Dennis

Hosted by Manami & Neathway 3rd Manami & Neathway 10th Sydney (Stay Put) 16th James Dyer (Club Blanco) 23rd Mendhi B (1020) 31st Charlatan Jazz (Noods)

Open Mic TUESDAY

Galli Live

7th Dharma Blues presents Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac 14th Emily Isherwood (full band) + Wetleg 21th Seedling Sessions w/ TBC & Sam Trusson 28th Tamasene

WEDNESDAY

Waldo’s Gift

Hip-hop, math, jazz & electronica 8th ft. Andrew Neil-Hayes 15th Open Collaboration 22nd w/ AV Trio 29th Synesthesia

THURSDAY

Snazzback

Afro-funk & psych-jazz 9th presents Tezeta 16th presents St Barbe Trio 23rd presents Sefrial 30th Open Stage

every single night

DJS

Feel Flows

SATURDAY

DJS

Satta Lites

Withdrawn, VMO$ & guests play beats, bumps & bass 4th Jiinx (Noods) 11th Andy Payback (NTS) 17th Simon G (Runaway) 24th Scutal (Cold Light / Noods)

SUNDAY

5th Sydney Sessions ft. Eddie Jones-West 12th Simiah (Live) Double drum show 19th Habitus, Goose & Chillman 26th The Pocket Sessions Hosted by Ruth Royall

Emily is one of the UK’s most versatile and exciting songwriters. Live strings and cloudy electronics set a layer of dramatic fog below a constant fade of shoegaze and modern folk poetry. Catch the support from Isle of Wight based Wetleg, fronted by RHAIN - a Bristol debut for them.

the lanes

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

Set within a ten-pin bowling lane, The Lanes is a popular club night venue – particularly for those with an emo streak, as the home of Fat Lip clubnights and festival. Bands also regularly grace The Lanes stage and the venue works closely with a number of great local promoters, including BLG and Gravy Train. The Lanes’ Saturday night Department S events offer a gig-to-club experience, with live music from local and touring bands precursing a night of indie, rock and roll, and soul from John the Mod. Not forgetting round the clock bowling, karaoke and pool tables.

January Highlights

FREEZ

THE ORANGE SKIES

17 Jan // 7:30pm – 11:30pm // Free

18 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // Free

An up and coming garage rock band from Schio in Italy. With several tours already under their belt around their home country, France and Switzerland for their “Do Nothing Club Tour,” they show no signs of slowing down.

Another young local up and coming group, this time in the form of a 60’s inspired Beat band. Their sound is a mix between fairy folk ballads and garage rock, taking inspiration from the likes of The Velvet Underground, The Kinks and Bob Dylan.

mr wolf’s

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

Open seven nights a week, Mr Wolf’s has one of the sweatiest dancefloors in town. With closing hours ranging from 2.30am up to 4am on weekends, Mr Wolf’s packs in a huge number of live music, open mic nights, live jams and DJs. An avid supporter of local talent, as well as from further afield, Mr Wolf’s is a great place to discover new bands and artists of every genre. The big brother of 51 Stokes Croft, this family-run venue has a dedicated team behind it, who are committed to furthering the local music scene.

January Highlights

THAT’S MA DAWG

JOE PROBERT + JAMES HUMPHRYS

9 Jan // 8pm – 3am // £3 - £4

31 Jan // 9pm – 3am // £3 - £4

Showcasing a range of upcoming talents from BIMM Bristol, with material from Jerome Gamble, Reece Bluck and indie rock band Animal Bar, this party is sure to help kick off the start of term and put a spring in your step. Hosted by Yush.

Bristol based singer/drummer Joe Probert hosts a one-time only affair with James Humphrys, a 23-year-old songwriter/ producer and multi-instrumentalist, prolifically gigging in Bristol and beyond and even performing at Glastonbury.

the old market assembly

Instagram @oldmarketassembly // facebook.com/oldmarketassembly 25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0DF // 0117 373 8199 // oldmarketassembly.co.uk

Situated in the heart of one of Bristol’s most up-and-coming nightlife hubs, The Old Market Assembly is an independent arts venue and restaurant hosting everything from local bands to wild parties with touring artists. Proudly associated with the LGBTQ+ scene, Old Market Assembly was the first venue in Bristol to sign up for the ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign, committing to provide a safe, respectful space for anyone and everyone. With live music, DJs and cabaret every week, you can look to Old Market Assembly for some of the best in world music, hip hop and funk, ska, drag shows and more.

January Highlights

HIPPO

BURNS NIGHT

11 Jan // 9:30pm – 1:30am // Free

25 Jan // 8pm – 2am // £8

Hippo is an electronic jazz trio based in Bristol, their hybrid music has seen them entertain diverse crowds across the UK - from techno raves to basement jazz clubs and everything in between.

An annual celebration of the work of poet Robert Burns, and the Old Market Assembly are celebrating in style with music from The Drystones and Mishra Ceilidh Band, as well as a delicious classic Burns inspired food menu.

THE OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY PRESENTS

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS FROM 10PM TIL LATE AT THE OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY

J A N U A R Y

L I S T I N G S

11 / 01 | HIPPO (LIVE) + DJs TIL LATE ELECTRONIC JAZZ TRIO WITH A HUMONGOUS SOUND OF BOUNCING RHYTHMS AND BIG RIFFS

FROM 9:30 PM | FREE ENTRY

18 / 01 | RU ROBINSON (DJ SET) TROPICAL FLAVOURS OF LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN,SERVED UP WITH AN INFECTIOUS SMILE

FROM 10 PM | FREE ENTRY

25 / 01 | BURNS NIGHT CEILIDH 'OL BURNS INSPIRED KNEES-UP WITH DINNER, CEILIDH DANCING AND A DRAM OF SCOTTISH FINEST

FROM 8 PM | TICKETS £8/£20

MORE INFO AVAILABLE FROM HEADFIRST BRISTOL | FB / IG / T: @ASSEMBLYNIGHTSBRISTOL

SWX

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

SWX is Bristol’s largest city centre venue and hosts many of the biggest names coming through the city, from black metal bands to US rappers. With a state of the art sound and lighting system, the venue lives up to the high calibre of artists gracing its stage. SWX features an enclosed dancefloor for the more committed audience members, as well as raised platforms for those preferring a view over proximity. SWX is also home to two of the biggest student nights in Bristol. Codec and Farfetched integrate live performance from some of the industry’s biggest artists with three rooms of music and drinks deals.

January Highlights

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

FARFETCHED PRESENTS: CASCADA

13 Jan // 7pm – 10pm // £20

31 Jan // 11pm – 4am // £4

CLUB & LIVE EVENTS GUIDE

Just four days before the release of their highly anticipated new album Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, they will be taking the stage of SWX for a special evening. Expect a sneaky preview of the album as well as their previous hits.

For up to date listings please visit:

swxbristol.com Tickets available from:

ticketweb.co.uk

@swxbristol

Everyones favourite dance music group in the early noughties. Best known for their hit singles Everytime We Touch, Evacuate the Dancefloor and Miracle, they have sold over 30 million albums worldwide in addition to an estimated 15 million digital downloads.

thekla

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

Located on board a converted German cargo ship, Thekla is an award-winning live music and club space. From live toetapping Americana to hard-hitting house and techno, Thekla delivers an eclectic music programme covering all bases. As well as hosting major touring acts, Thekla is a champion of up and coming talent and has a knack for catching on to a good thing; with early shows from the likes of Mumford and Sons and Calvin Harris. With passionate crew members looking after both the live and club side of things, Thekla continues to be one of Bristol’s favourite venues, for nearly every genre.

January Highlights

FUNK THE BOAT: LOST IN MUSIC

EMERGENCY ROOM W/ NICOLAS LUTZ

10 Jan // 10pm – 3am // £3 – £5

31 Jan // 10pm – 4am // £8

A cruise through the night with local band The Soul Strutters, and Funk Supreme Dance Troupe keeping you grooving with a mash up of anything from straight up funk, beats, boogaloo and hip-hop through to soulful classics.

My Own Jupiter owner and Fabric regular Nicolas Lutz heads to Bristol for the first Emergency Room of the year with a 3-hour set, promising his usual mystique. Emergency Room resident Zaltsman will be on the decks from the start.

08.01.20

MARK MORTON

31.01.20

NEKROGOBLIKON

JAH WOBBLE & THE INVADERS OF THE HEART

11.01.20

04.02.20

09.01.20

IDER

HEATHER FINDLAY BOARDS OF CANADA PLAYED BY BYRON WALLEN’S GAMALAN ENSEMBLE CHASE RICE 21.01.20

23.01.20

GIANT DRAG 25.01.20

THE MILK CARTON KIDS 26.01.20

INSOMNIUM 28.01.20

TWIN TEMPLE 30.01.20

UNCLE FRANK

04.04.20

05.03.20

11.04.20

LOVE FAME TRAGEDY

06.02.20

11.03.20

PKEW PKEW PKEW 07.02.20

POLIÇA 14.02.20

GEORGIA 12.03.20

ANAMANAGUCHI 13.03.20

WOLF PARADE 14.02.20

TWIN PEAKS

HANDS OFF GRETEL

22.02.20

17.03.20

17.02.20

BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD

04.03.20

3TEETH

(SANDY) ALEX G

19.01.20

01.04.20

THE SHERLOCKS

STRAY & THE GROUNDHOGS

05.02.20

17.01.20

03.03.20

THE RIFLES UNPLUGGED

KORPIKLAANI 18.03.20

BOY & BEAR

MR IRISH BASTARD

26.02.20

18.03.20

25.02.20

X AMBASSADORS 28.02.20

THE MARCUS KING BAND 02.03.20

WINSTON SURFSHIRT

THE GROVE EAST MUD DOCK BRISTOL BS1 4RB

SONS OF LIBERTY 28.03.20

KOJEY RADICAL WILLE & THE BANDITS SPACE 15.04.20

LARKINS 18.04.20

PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS 24.04.20

DARWIN DEEZ 25.04.20

LANTERNS ON THE LAKE 09.05.20

L DEVINE 15.05.20

OH MY GOD! IT’S THE CHURCH 05.07.20

LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS

THE ICICLE WORKS 29.03.20

DARCY OAKE

THEKLABRISTOL.CO.UK THEKLA.CLUB FT THEKLABRISTOL IY THEKLABRIS

to the moon

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

To The Moon is a superb little venue that can feel like a friends house with their chilled, friendly atmosphere. To The Moon takes great care in their drinks offer which includes local beers, classic cocktails and high quality spirits. They now proudly host Grano Kitchen who supply delicious proper Italian food. With an open-minded approach to music and events, the focus is on creating a fun, safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Events through the month can range from dub to disco and rum tastings to open decks nights.

January Highlights

DECENT EXPOSURE

LIQUID LUNAR VINYL SPECIAL

10 Jan // 8pm – 12am // Free

26 Jan // 4pm – 9pm // Free

A night aimed at giving an opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills on the decks in a friendly environment. Hosted by Max’s Sentient Jukebox, featuring Fortuune, Spoke & Apostas.

The bi-monthly event at To The Moon is putting on another vinyl special for that old school feel. With anyone with skills on wax welcomed to perform, surround your Sunday with chilled out liquid goodness.

TRINITY Centre

Instagram @bristoltrinity // facebook.com/trinitybristol Trinity Centre, Trinity Rd, Bristol BS2 0NW // 0117 935 1200 // trinitybristol.org.uk

Penetrating Old Market’s skyline and ear drums, Trinity is home of the soundsystem in Bristol, as the longtime hub of Teachings in Dub, as well some harder sounds on the soundsystem spectrum. The Grade II-listed converted church also provides the perfect natural acoustics for live performances, with a mixture of up-and-coming talent and some of the biggest names on the circuit, across every genre you could think of. As well as a varied music programme, you can also look out for monthly BUMP roller disco sessions, drum and bass workouts and outdoor events in the summer, including the much-loved Trinity Garden Party.

January Highlights

SLEEP TOKEN

PLANET SHROOM

23 Jan // 7pm – 11pm // £13.50

25 Jan // 10pm – 6am // £10

An elusive collective of masked, nameless musicians - united by their worship of an ancient deity crudely dubbed ‘Sleep’. They create music that brings the most submerged thoughts and feelings to the fore.

The ultimate psychedelic experience, famous for its mind blowing production with decorations and lasers, sets from M-THEORY, Hyperdrime and Amaluna will make this another trippy treat.

Tinariwen - credit Lee Ramsey

Jan 18 The Hara Jan 21 The Teskey Brothers - SOLD OUT Jan 23 Sleep Token Jan 24 Sofa Sound Jan 25 Planet Shroom Jan 29 Kokoroko Jan 31 Teachings In Dub Feb 01 Beans on Toast Feb 04 Fatoumata Diawara Feb 06 Anna Meredith Feb 07 1985 Music Feb 08 Time Dance - 5 Years Feb 14 Polyphia Feb 15 Church Of Love Feb 26 A Winged Victory For The Sullen Feb 28 25 Years Of Metalheadz Feb 29 Brizzle Boiz - Drag King Cabaret XVII

Your Music Career Starts Here Open Day Saturday 11th January BIMM Institute Bristol 25 King Square Bristol BS2 8JN

Watch live performances, chat to our expert lecturers and tour our industry-leading facilities. Spaces are limited, book now to avoid disappointment.

BIMM.ac.uk/open-days

HEATHER WOODS BRODERICK PLUS GUESTS

EMILY ISHERWOOD AIKO

THE CROFTERS RIGHTS THU 27 FEBRUARY Tickets available from headfirstbristol.co.uk

DRINKS GUIDE VENUES

BAMBALAN 68 THE GALLIMAUFRY 68 HER MAJESTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SECRET SERVICE 69 HYDE & CO 69 LEFT HANDED GIANT 70 THE MILK THISTLE 70 NOCHE NEGRA 71 THE OLD BOOKSHOP 71 SMALL BAR 72 THE SPOTTED COW 72

Brief Histories: Escapism and Cocktails Over the following months, we are going to try and delve behind the scenes into the world of cocktail and bar culture in Bristol. To kick off the new year, raise a glass and ask yourself the (not depressing) question of: ‘Why?’ Why do we drink? Why do we go out? Do we seek the thrill of social adventure and new sensations? Do we as a species feel an inexorable pull towards other people, for one reason or another? All of these reasons and more have shaped the landscape of modern drinking culture into one that’s unrecognisable when compared to the barbaric pastimes of our ancestors. But are we really so different? To that end, we are going to zoom in on the world of cocktail culture and explore the key reason many of us can be found in any of the city’s excellent booze rooms: escape, as well as taking a potted look at the way Bristol’s cocktail culture has evolved over the last decade.

Prohibition refers to a time in history, a different place, a different world

#1 In The Beginning

#2 The ‘New Golden Age’

#3 Metamorphosis

Ever since primeval man first shambled out of his cave and was harassed relentlessly by sabre-toothed cats, escape has been at the forefront of the human condition. The same rings true today. We live in a stressful world and people need to vent some of that pressure. At its best, a cocktail bar can offer the human spirit a true place to escape; a five star retreat from the rest of humanity, where well made drinks are more than just a casual stroking of the bartender’s ego. At its worst, well, you don’t need me to tell you.

The cocktail train had left the station and it was showing no signs of slowing down. I personally managed to trick my way into employment in a cocktail bar and have been jack-knifing between them at breakneck speed ever since. People were becoming more interested. The concepts that first blew my mind were now having the same effects on the city. People could barely believe they had to ring a doorbell to access a bar. Some laughed, others were confused and some were downright angry (well, one man, once, for no discernible reason). Whatever the reaction though, people were finding in them their own form of escape. Case in point, how often have you heard people refer to bars like The Milk Thistle or Red Light as ‘prohibition bars’? Prohibition refers to a time in history, a different place, a different world. The fact that prohibition bars were in fact little more than tumbledown shacks with no music, selling liquor made by barely-qualified hicks that could maybe kill you but almost certainly blind you is of little consequence. People were talking about the romantic idea. The Hollywood standard of the word. The escape.

With the rise of social media, the scene in Bristol continued to evolve. The refined and elegant bars of the waistcoat variety were being joined by a different sort of animal. Bars that still relied heavily on amazing service and delicious drinks, but operated a little differently. Bristol’s fascination with cocktails was still as strong as ever, but people were looking for something new. Something more tongue in cheek. Her Majesty’s Secret Service in Clifton Down opened in 2015 and was one of Bristol’s frontrunners of a new type of venue. Drink serves that were so ludicrous and eye catching, we didn’t know what to make of them. The fact that they still operate now with great success and continue to grow is testament to the fact that they were more than just a novelty.

My first foray into a cocktail bar was a fairly transformative experience. I had been working for years in a dreadful bar and had come to the conclusion that all that existed for an aspiring bartender was chain bars and hopelessness. Back when the entrance to Hyde & Co (top of Park Street) was on its opposite side, no words can do justice the feeling pulling back that curtain and stepping into a low-lit world that looked like it had been ripped straight out of a fifties noir novel. It was only open two nights a week in those days and it was mostly a pleasant surprise to find anyone other than yourself in there. Hyde & Co wasn’t the first however, with the city’s now sadly retired Hausbar opening some four years earlier, in 2006. Exploring these bars back then took a lot less time, but those that were open for business offered the drinkers of Bristol something they hadn’t seen in a long while; a break from the norm, a new and exciting frontier and some respite from the busy bars of the city centre. Walking into any of the city’s high end cocktail bars for the first time and being given a complimentary glass of water and bowl of pretzels made you feel like the most important person in the room. A heavy focus on service and these little accoutrements might be considered the norm now, but oh boy did I love those pretzels. So it seems, did everyone else, because the idea kept growing.

Bristol was experiencing what is commonly referred to in the professional cocktail community as the ‘New Golden Age’, in itself a tip of the hat to those simpler times. Old ideas and approaches to service and hospitality, but with none of the pitfalls that our then lack of understanding caused (I’m looking at you, blindness whiskey). But nerding out over the early days of cocktails is something for another day.

Bars evolving with the times is an evolutionary necessity if they want to stay relevant, and people are more savvy than ever when it comes to cocktail culture. But the fundamental truth remains: these are havens where we can flee the world. Places which, when done right, can be the most incomparably welcoming and engaging places on Earth. For Bristol, looking forward, where do we have to go from here? The world of cocktails, good food and a thriving music scene doesn’t look to be going anywhere soon. Innovators continue to innovate, and more and more people are taking their first, shaky steps into the world of cocktail culture. A good bar will never ask anything of you. A good bar will never judge you. A good bar is hard to find; but if you scratch the surface of Bristol’s city streets, just a little bit, you might find exactly what you’ve been looking for. Words: Michael Sharpe

Bambalan

Instagram @bambalanbristol // facebook.com/bambalanbristol Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 4XE // 0117 922 1880 // bambalan.co.uk

One of the newer strings to the bow of Bristol’s legendary Hyde and Co group, Bambalan almost needs no introduction. Perfectly placed just off of the fountains, Bambalan really does have it all. Stunning vista’s over Bristol’s central walk match perfectly with delicious sharing drinks and exquisite food offerings. From private hire and brunches, to effortlessly effective post work facilities, it really does take some determined effort to deny it’s clear relevance.

Simple, local dining has never been easier, tastier or more well situated. Ever evolving cocktail lists are sure to please any palate and the cheery service compliments the food style perfectly. Accommodating staff and a slew of options for private hire make this unsung hero one of the must see stops of the city. It shines in summer, but their offering is potent enough to satisfy the needs of even the most discerning winter guest.

The Gallimaufry

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

Step inside The Galli and prepare to be dazzled by the colourful paper shapes framing the venue and its welcoming bar as soon as you walk through the door. This independent establishment is not only one of the most understated, picturesque bars in Bristol, but its drinks, food and live music selection are also top of the league. Praised as one of Gloucester Roads most cherished bars, The Gallimaufry serve a wide assortment of locally sourced

beers, both bottled and on tap, whilst keeping a selection of beers on rotation each week. Their wine list is filled with premium flavours that will quench your thirst, along with their selection of locally distilled gin. Whilst serving a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, The Gallimaufry also serve Clifton’s Coffee EQ blend and a great selection of British food with a curious twist.

A L W AY S

AP NT

Every day from 4-7pm

Local cask and keg ales

+ Award-winning South West ciders

Cocktails £5 Elderflower Collins

Gin, elderflower, lemon & soda

Aperol Spritz

Aperol, Prosecco & soda

Jamaican Mule

Rum, bitters, lime & ginger beer

La Paloma

Tequila, lime, grapefruit bitters & Ting

Horse’s Neck

Bourbon, bitters & ginger ale

White wine 175ml £4 Red wine 175ml £4 Prosecco 125ml

£4.25 thegallimaufrybristol @thegallibristol

Her Majesty’s Secret Service Hyde & CO Instagram @hmss_bristol // facebook.com/HMSSbar Whiteladies Gate, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, BS8 2PH // 0117 973 3926 // hmssbristol.com

Tucked away near the entrance to Clifton Down station, prohibition-style cocktail bar Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets. It might look like nothing from the outside, but that’s the point. Discerning cocktail drinkers can step through a traditional red phone box to find a cosy, hangout and a highlyskilled bar team. The low lighting, chesterfield-style sofas and snug space all add to the authentic feel of a 1940s speakeasy. Bringing things

Instagram @hydecobristol // facebook.com/hydeandcobristol The Basement, 2 Upper Byron Pl, Bristol, BS8 1JY // 0117 929 7007 // hydeand.co

up to date, however, is their disco and funk inspired playlists and off-the-wall cocktails. The creative cocktail menu is currently inspired by the iconic sights and traditions of Britain, from the MI6inspired Careless Vespa martini to the Loch Ness Mobster, which lists 9g laughing gas as part of its recipe. The presentation of their cocktail is an art in itself, with drinks served in anything from an ink pot to a terrarium.

Happy hours!

Hyde & Co has been a massive presence in the Bristol cocktail scene since its opening nearly a decade ago. It stands as one of the original speakeasy bars in Bristol and has been delivering consistent ambience, service and innovation. Hidden in plain sight, as it is, Hyde & Co has always been a well-kept secret. This allows autonomy and creative freedom for its bartenders, who experiment with mind bending flavour combinations

for their always impressive conceptual menus. The décor and aesthetic are highly reminiscent of the idea of the speakeasy. Low lit with sumptuous furniture and darkly dressed staff, it really is a place to escape the trappings of the world outside. It’s small, so call ahead and tumble back to a simpler time, where the bartender was a true hero and the guests all shone like stars.

FROM 17.00 - 19.00 DAILY

HAPPY HOUR(S) Happiness shouldn’t ever be restricted to just the one hour. We’re giving you two! Well two for £10 in fact, on these no-messin’ classics below Don’t see anything you fancy, don’t panic our regular menu is still available to choose from - outside of the oﬀer.

FRENCH 75

Bombay Sapphire - Lemon - Sugar syrup - Fizz!

ESPRESSO MARTINI

Finlandia vodka - Coﬀee Liquor - House Espresso magic

TOMMYS MARGARITA

Tequila - Triple sec - Agave Syrup

OLD FASHIONED

Woodford Reserve - Sugar Syrup - Bitters

AMERICANO

Martini Bitter - Martini Rubino - Soda

BEERS & WINES

SNACKS

CAN O’ PABST £4.5 CAN O’ GUINESS £4.5 GLASS O’ GRAPE £6 PROSECCO £6 BOILER MAKER £2.5

NOCELLARA OLIVES £3 SMOKED ALMONDS £3 BOMBAY MIX £2.5 HUMMUS & VEG CRISPS £4

IRISH COFFEE RICH, HEARTY AND OH SO, WARMING! Slane Irish Whiskey - Extract Coffee - Double cream - Nutmeg We’ve worked with Extract coffee and Slane Irish Whiskey on making this a real tasty treat for these chilly wintery evenings. The coffee is fresh, so on occasions we may run out of our daily allocation. We do advise snapping these up whist you can. £5 All of the time!

Left Handed Giant

Instagram @lefthandedgiantbrewing // facebook.com/lefthandedgiant Wadehurst Industrial Park, St Philips Rd, Bristol, BS2 0JE //Â 0117 318 2102 // lefthandedgiant.co.uk

the milk thistle

Instagram @themilkthistlebristol // facebook.com/themilkthistle Quay Head House, Colston Ave, Bristol BS1 1EB //Â 0117 929 4429 // milkthistlebristol.com

Bristol has given birth to some of the most varied and delicious beers in recent memory, gaining traction and interest nationwide. Of these beers, Left Handed Giant has been consistent in both the quality of its beers and its incredible artwork and design.

The site is located in Finzels Reach, which has its own history with breweries and other forms of production. The ideas being touted at LHG, however, are anything but old fashioned, with their artisan pizza focused on vegan and vegetarian options.

Part of the Hyde & Co family, prohibitionstyle bar The Milk Thistle is hidden in plain site on Colston Avenue. Set within a historic building, the four-story cocktail bar, lounge and private function rooms can be found behind unmarked, double black doors.

Much to the delight of anybody who enjoys truly excellent beer, LHG opened the doors to one of their most exciting new offering, the Brewpub.

Brewery tours are also available, with few venues in the city giving you the option to have a full insight into their production methods.

With an opulent, art deco style interior throughout and plenty of space for sitting or dancing, The Milk Thistle is open till 1am Monday through to

Thursday, with late night parties on weekends. Serving up the classics as well as their own creative concoctions; an experienced bar team and a wellstocked bar, including top shelf spirits and liquors, means customers are also welcome to order off menu. The top scoring bar in Bristol, Milk Thistle was recently voted number 16 in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.

noche negra

Instagram @patanegrabristol // facebook.com/patanegrabristol 30 Clare Street, Bristol, BS1 1YH // 0117 927 6762 // patanegrabristol.com

Twinkling just out of mind above the bustling crowds of Bristol’s Corn Street you’ll find Noche Negra, one of the best kept secrets the city has to offer. One floor above the immaculately presented and delicious tasting tapas of Pata Negra, Noche slumbers in anticipation. Effortlessly flirting the line between Pata Negra’s relaxed confidence and the out and out vibrance of the cities biggest clubs, it exists to impress.

Impeccable design paired with a slew of local talent, from DJ’s and chefs to ‘tenders and tearaways, Noche Negra stands as a beacon of undeniable quality in a sea of uncertainty. To top it off, private hire and event hosting is available in both Noche Negra and in the building’s elusive second floor haunt of Privada. Uncompromising music and uncompromising service. Come for the food, stay for the party. Savour.

The Old Bookshop

Instagram @the0ldbookshop // facebook.com/theoldbookshop 65 North St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1ES // 0117 953 5222 // theoldbookshop.co.uk

It’s hard to miss The Old Bookshop on Bedminster’s North Street. With its colourfully inviting signage and windows, this cosy bar with vintage décor stands proud as being one of Bedminster’s humble treasures. The Old Bookshop offers a quirky atmosphere and friendly staff with a superb selection of drinks, from cocktails,

pints and spirits that can be enjoyed in the company of taxidermy creatures and curious trinkets that decorate the entire bar and walls. With its ever-evolving kitchen, award winning roast dinners and a unique selection of live entertainment. This bar is a feast for all the senses and is one of Bristol’s best family ran establishments.

NOCHE NEGRA ABSINTHE PINA COLADA - £9

P I N E A P P L E , C O C O N U T , M O U N T G AY E C L I P S E R U M , P E R N O D A B S I N T H E

SHERRY COBLER - £9 M A N G O , S H E R R Y , B E E F E AT E R G I N

PICK-ME-UP - £9

LILLET BLANC, ST GERMAIN, SUZE, TONIC

BUBBLE TROUBLE - £9

G R A P E F R U I T , L E M O N , B E E F E AT E R G I N , A P E R O L , C AV A

CLOVER CLUB - £9

R AS P B E R R Y , L E M O N , P LY M O U T H G I N , D R Y V E R M O U T H , E G G W H I T E

TOP NOCHE - £9

P A D R O N P E P P E R , A G AV E , L I M E , E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , D E L M A G U E Y V I D A M E Z C A L

TORO BRAVO - £9

Y E L L O W P E P P E R , A P R I C OT , L I M E , E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , L I L L E T B L A N C

CARAJILLO - £9

E S P R E S S O , M O U N T G AY E C L I P S E R U M , L I C O R 4 3

SMOKEY COKEY - £9

C H E R R Y , C O K E , C H I V AS 1 2 , L A P H R O A I G 1 0

PROSPECTOR - £9

HONEY, LEMON, VIOLET, BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON

JAZZ HANDS - £9

C U C U M B E R , S T R AW B E R R Y , L E M O N , B E E F E AT E R G I N , S W E E T V E R M O U T H

OLD MEXICO - £9

E L J I M A D O R T E Q U I L A , D E L M A G U E Y V I D A M E Z C A L , S H E R R Y , C H O C O L AT E

MAMACITA - £9

ORANGE, LIME, BLOOD ORANGE COINTREAU, EL JIMADOR TEQUILA

RASCAL - £9

M E TA X A , S H E R R Y , L A P H R O A I G 1 0 , B A N A N A

PLEASE TELL YOUR SERVER IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES.

Small Bar

Instagram @smallbar_bristol // facebook.com/smallbarbristol 31 King Street, Bristol BS1 4DZ // bristol@smallbar.co.uk // smallbar.co.uk

Based on Bristol’s famous strip of bars on Kings Street, Small Bar is one of Bristol’s hidden gems that deserve your attention. Grab yourself a pint of one of the finest craft ales Small Bar have to offer, and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere that’ll give you a relaxing drinking experience where you can enjoy the quality of each sip. Ran by passionate bar staff who are on a mission to find the perfect beer, Small

Bar proudly represent the breweries nationwide, with particular support for the South West local ale trade. With the staff’s knowledge and beer expertise, they’re always keen to have the best of the best on tap. So, take a seat outside, or grab a chair and sit at one of the many barrel tables scattered around the rustic wooden finished bar and enjoy Small Bar’s executive collection of good quality beer.

the spotted cow Instagram @thespottedcowbristol // facebook.com/thespottedcowbristol 139 North St, Bristol, BS3 1ES // 0117 963 4433 // thespottedcowbristol.com

Transformed pub from a neglected old bar to one of the most popular hotspots in the community, the awardwinning Spotted Cow is a welcoming bar for locals and guests in the area. Based on North Street, this bar blends contemporary and traditional styles that provide all the elements for a perfect drinking spot; they even have one of Bedminster’s best beer gardens!

Quality pub food is at the heart of the operation, so be sure to try one of their many delicious dishes including their sensational Sunday roast. The Spotted Cow was one of the first pubs in Bristol to really champion local suppliers, working with local breweries and local farms for the meat and vegetables. Needless to say, their dedication to supporting local suppliers is reflected in every flavoursome taste.