Live Music Venues
It’s probably best to treat your ventures into the BrisBath music scene as you would any other relationship. Yes, you could flit through a year of ostensibly classy one-night stands, cruising O2 Academy Bristol, Colston Hall, Bath Pavilion or the Anson Rooms to indulge yourself in the transient delights of whichever NME flavour of the hour is passing through this week. If you practise safe gigging (be sure you’re only doing it because you really want to, take care to protect yourself against aurally transmitted Newton Faulkner, etc), we’d daresay you won’t even regret it in the morning.
But to maximise your rewards and sense of wellbeing, to begin enjoying the depth of feeling that comes with a relationship altogether more substantial, take heed of the cliché that is as true as it is hackneyed: the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. For (too) many years, the BrisBath scene has had a genuine claim to being one of the most fertile in the country, yet has lain largely below the radar. Now you, lucky reader, are in prime position to discover it for yourself. Dubsteppers will most likely be thrillsomely aware of the likes of Appleblim, Joker and Pinch (and if you’re not, oh my, you’re in for a treat). Indie-pop fans should certainly seek out the hook-tastic Concepts of Inebriation, zappy-clappy Let’s Tea Party or funk-infused Malakai. Head further left of field for the no less pop-hearted Zun Zun Egui, Katapulto or SJ Esau. Imbibe the most thoroughly modern jazz from Get The Blessing, Smith & Willox and James Morton. Hop to the hip Mad Method Collective and K.Ners. Get royally folked by Sheelanagig and Spiro. Rock hard to Riot:Noise and heavily to Shadow Law. Be wowed by the countrified frenzy of Emily Breeze, laconic cool of The Hinkley Veltones, pure-voiced Jane Taylor, finger-picked beauty of Robin Allender or acoustically rabble-rousing Babel. This, we should say, is but the microscopic tip of a cruise liner-troubling iceberg – across all genres, we’re talking a depth of many fathoms. Still, if we were to make like masochists and limit ourselves to just a single, all-encompassing recommendation, we’d go Bizali: pop sassiness to engage fans of Florence & The Machine, but the songs - both lyrically and structurally - are of an altogether higher league.
And the list of places happy to stage both these good folk and others like them grows longer by the year. Bath can now add the gracious Komedia and acoustically minded Chapel Arts to staples like Moles, punk central Porter Butt and roots-centric Bell. Beyond the major venues listed above, meanwhile, Bristol has a host of daily music hubs – Croft, Fleece, Louisiana – given a run for their money by newcomers like Mother’s Ruin, old rocking stagers such as the Bierkeller, guards of the avant such as The Cube, and a fleet of bars from Mr Wolf’s to the Golden Lion. Check listings over the page for a fuller breakdown. And better still, keep checking in Venue magazine each week to see detailed diarising and unfettered opinion on who’s going to be playing them.
Bath
Bath Pavilion
North Parade Bridge Rd. Tel: 01225 486902. Web: www.bathpavilion.org • Charmingly old-school enormo-hall, and home to the likes of Hendrix and Led Zep back in the day.
The Bell
Walcot St. Tel: 01225 460426. Web: www.walcotstreet.com • Properly friendly real-ale emporium also serving up a big programme of roots, world, jazz, acoustica and rock.
Chapel Arts Centre
Lower Borough Walls. Tel: 01225 461700. Web: www.chapelarts.org • Nee Invention, re-launched under the ownership of Phil ‘Moles’ Andrews. A strong first year has seen appearances from the rootsy likes of Boo Hewerdine, and Emmy The Great.
Komedia
Westgate St. Tel: 0845 293 8480. Web: www.komedia.co.uk/bath • Hugely welcome mid-size addition to the city, and all in the graceful, classical surrounds of the former Beau Nash cinema. An admirably wide-ranging debut year saw musical outings from the likes of Hot Club of Cowtown, The Young Knives, Micachu and Imelda May.
Moles
George St. Info line: 01225 404445. Web: www.moles.co.uk • Brilliant basement club, and the music staple in the city - practically any band you care to mention will have played here on their way up over the past 30 years. Under new ownership.
Porter Butt
York Place, London Rd. Tel: 01225 425084. Web: www.myspace.com/pbwalcotpalais • Aka the Walcot Palais: no-frills/all atmosphere, open all day every day, and majoring in punk.
Porter Cellar Bar
George St. Tel: 01225 424104. Web: www.moles.co.uk • Moles’ little sister, largely home to country/folk-based tuneage, generally free entry, with open mic on Mon.
St James’ Wine Vaults
St James’s St. Tel: 01225 310335. Web: www.stjameswinevaults.co.uk • Cosy Georgian surrounds host increasingly large amounts of electrified indie among traditional acoustic fare.
Bristol
Anson Rooms
Queens Rd. Tel: 0117 954 5800. Web: www.ubu.org.uk/your-union/anson-rooms • Big Bristol Uni hall, last year pulling in the likes of The View, Bat For Lashes, Friendly Fires and PJ Harvey.
Arnolfini
Narrow Quay. Tel: 0117 917 2300. Web: www.arnolfini.org.uk • Bristol’s oldest arts centre, and experts in laying on one-off out-there musical events.
The Attic/Full Moon Hotel
Stokes Croft. Tel: 0117 924 5007. Web: www.fmbristol.co.uk • ‘Eco hostel’ also plying a nice line in local giggage.
Bristol Bierkeller
The Pithay. Tel: 0117 926 8514. Web: www.bristolbierkeller.co.uk • Bristol institution largely (but not exclusively) catering to heaviosity. Recent acts include The Creepshow, The Brains.
Bristol Folk House
40a Park St. Tel: 0117 926 2987. Web: www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk • The annual acoustic fest sets the tones for plenty of similar fare throughout the year including Vandaveer and Lonely Drifter Karen.
Bunch of Grapes
Denmark St. Tel: 0117 987 0500. Web: www.thebunchofgrapes.co.uk • Nightly music in this city centre pub, from rocky covers to blues.
Colston Hall
Colston St. Tel: 0117 922 3686. Web: www.colstonhall.org • Increasingly community-oriented, with the new foyer adding more local act-accessible stages, but still expect the main hall to attract the likes of Grace Jones, Ray LaMontagne, Elbow and David Byrne.
The Cooler
Park St. Tel: 0117 945 0999. Web: www.clubcooler.com • Increasingly prolific music server, last year staging the likes of Vivian Girls, Golden Silvers and Sunshine Underground.
The Croft
Stokes Croft. Tel: 0117 987 4144. Web: www.the-croft.com • Staple of the scene, with nightly plying of local/national acts, across the fields of folk, punk, metal, hip-hop, leftfield and beyond.
The Cube
Dove St South. Tel: 0117 907 4190. Web: www.cubecinema.com • Brilliant, volunteer-run, none-more-avant cinema and live venue. Recent visitors include Charlie Parr, and Beardyman.
Fiddlers
Willway St, Bedminster. Tel: 0117 987 3403. Web: www.fiddlers.co.uk • Proper south Bristol institution, and bringer of top international rock/roots/world names to the city.
Fleece & Firkin
St Thomas St. Tel: 0117 945 0996. Web: www.fleecegigs.co.uk • Another see-‘em-on-their-way-up staple, also catering to plenty of local acts, with tribute acts dominating the early weekend.
Golden Lion
244 Gloucester Rd. Tel: 0117 924 6449. Web: www.goldenlionbristol.co.uk • Broader taste, youthful sister of the Old Duke, with music seven days a week from hip-hop to jazz to acoustica.
The Hatchet
Frogmore St. Tel: 0117 929 4118. Web: www.thehatchet.co.uk • Generally metal and punk central, but also hosting the 60s-centric, wholly excellent Gimme Shelter Friday nights.
Joe Public’s
Beacon House, Clifton Triangle. Tel: 0117 973 1249. Web: www.joepublics.com • Airport-themed decor and food-accompanied giggage.
The Junction
51 Stokes Croft. Web: www.myspace.com/thejunctionbristol • Traditionally an old school punk/metal/experi-noise haunt – recently bought by Mr Wolf’s, so this might be subject to change.
The Lanes
22 Nelson St. Tel: 0117 325 1979. Web: www.thelanesbristol.com • Lots of live music as well as bowling, club nights and karaoke.
The Lansdown
8 Clifton Rd. Tel: 0117 973 4949 • None-more-intimate upstairs room specialising in largely acoustic events.
The Louisiana
Wapping Rd. Tel: 01179 663 615. Web: www.myspace.com/thelouisiana • Music daily in this legendary venue, equal parts nursery to local acts and stable for on-their-way-up national tourers. Recent visitors include Fight Like Apes, Françoiz Breut and Alasdair Roberts.
Metropolis
Stokes Croft. Web: www.myspace.com/metropolisbristol • Still to officially launch as the guide goes to press, but this fine old former cinema marked its musical debut strongly in July with a line-up comprising Pee Wee Ellis, Clare Teal and Mary ‘Supreme’ Wilson.
Mother’s Ruin
7-9 St Nicholas Market. Tel: 0117 925 6969 Web: www.myspace.com/themothersruinbristol
• Relative newcomer, and serving up a mix of local and adroitly selected, high-quality touring acts.
Mr Wolf’s
33 St Stephens St. Tel: 0117 927 3221. Web: www.mrwolfs.com • Top-notch noodles, music nightly and a properly vibrant after-hours atmosphere. All styles served, from quiet acoustica and leftfieldisms to hip-hop.
O2 Academy Bristol
Frogmore St. Tel: 0117 927 9227. Web: www.bristol-academy.co.uk • Florence & The Machine, The Game and Glasvegas have all popped by this big-name venue this year. Also home to a smaller venue for local players and lower-profile tourers.
Old Duke
King St. Tel: 0117 927 7137. Web: www.theoldduke.com • Bristol institution: always free, specialising in jazz.
Polish Club
St Pauls Rd, Clifton. Tel: 0117 973 6244 • A venue of genuine character, with the friendly atmosphere aided by a stonking vodka collection.
Prom Music Bar & Cafe
The Promenade, Gloucester Rd. Tel: 0117 942 7319. Web: www.theprom.co.uk • Wide selection of music every week, from old school r&b to acoustica, cover bands to tourers.
St Bonaventure’s Social Club
Egerton Rd. Tel: 0117 929 9008. Web: www.crhmusic.com • Americana and roots central at this lovely venue.
St George’s Bristol
Great George St. Tel: 0845 402 4001. Web: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk • Immaculate acoustics and graceful surrounds play home to a brilliantly programmed range of (largely) world, jazz and acoustic music.
Southbank
Dean Lane, Southville. Tel: 0117 966 5552. Web: www.southbankclub.webs.com • Intimate atmosphere in a deceptively large hall, big enough to stage the likes of Martin Carthy.
Start the Bus
7-9 Baldwin St. Tel: 0117 930 4370. Web: www.startthebus.tv • Student central for live music, with a sofa-heavy, relaxed vibe playing home to acts both beat-heavy and acoustic. Recent visitors include My Tiger My Timing, Gomez.
Thekla
The Grove. Tel: 0117 929 3301. Web: www.theklabristol.co.uk • Brilliant: cafe, open deck, more room downstairs, and all on a boat. Wide-ranging musical policy sees local acts play alongside the likes of Graham Coxon, Joss Stone.
Thunderbolt
124 Bath Rd, Totterdown. Tel: 0117 373 8947. Web: www.thethunderbolt.net • Friendly-as pub punching above its weight in the gigging stakes, offering stage time to acts both local and (inter)national: Martin Stephenson, and Dr Feelgood.
Tobacco Factory
Raleigh Rd/North St, Southville. Tel: 0117 902 0060. Web: www.tobaccofactory.com • Nationally renowned theatre upstairs, and some fine (jazz, world, acoustica) music in the bar.
Trinity Centre
Old Market. Tel: 0117 935 1200. Web: www.3ca.org.uk • Fine old church housing a community-run venue, mixing workshops with all-night techno nights, hip-hop and much more.
The Tunnels
Station Approach, Temple Meads. Tel: 0117 929 9008. Web: www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk • Another to-be-launched venue, but promising a mix of tribbers and the likes of Living Colour, The Beat.
|
