Music / News
Brand new family friendly music festival to take place on August bank holiday
Old City Sounds will take over Bristol’s Old City on August 26 from 12pm to 6pm.
Musical fun for all the family is on offer, all genres will be celebrated throughout four melodic zones: King Street, St Stephen’s Church, St Nicholas Street and St Nicks Market.
Created by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the inaugural outdoor event will be free to attend.
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The annual Old Duke Jazz Festival will spearhead the ‘Old City Jazz’ zone on King Street, which will host live jazz talent in a symphonic celebration of all things folk, funk and swing.
To keep the children entertained, St Stephen’s Church garden will play host to the ‘Old City Kids’ area.
Attendees can expect storytelling by the team at Stanfords; one of Bristol’s oldest independent bookshops, bubble artists, face painting, circus performers, jugglers and giant garden games from the team at Play Wooden.
Live versions of favourite children’s classics from local Bristol musicians will also be on hand as St Stephen’s Street will be pedestrianised so parents can relax and enjoy the soundtrack.
Little Music Makers will also be on hand for interactive musical renditions of children’s stories and plays.
Bristol’s maze of stalls and pop-up restaurants, St Nicks, will also see a bumper edition of its summer busking series take place as part of Old City Sounds.
Welcoming local musicians from BIMM, the ‘Old City Acoustics’ zone will see a series of talented buskers perform for visitors as part of the event, which intertwines shopping, eating and music.
On nearby Corn Street, the Bristol Indies’ Market will also be taking place, selling an array of locally-crafted gifts, vintage clothing and other treasures.
St Nicholas Street will play host to musicians and vocalists from the city and beyond – in the ‘Old City Eclectic’ area, welcoming both classical and nu-wave players from across multiple genres of music.
Virtuoso flamenco guitarist Flamenco Thief and the new soul vocals of China Bowles will be in attendance.
Vicky Lee, Head of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Events such as Old City Sounds hugely boost footfall and spending in our city centre as well as morale for residents, tourists and businesses alike.
“It’s a joy to be part of the team that creates these new and innovative takeovers that both support local businesses and celebrate the musical talent we are lucky to have here in our city”
Main photo: courtesy of Plaster
Read next:
- Access Creative College announce two day festival
- Bristol artist launches crowdfunder to record new album
- ‘Silence is violence; voices have to be heard’ : Antonia Cross on the importance of open discussions at festivals
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