Bristol Music Blog #2

This month we have to talk about another music venue under threat in the city. Thekla could be closing its doors as a new development plan for the harbour side has been approved. After the planning committee meeting on November 8th the company that runs the venue, DHP, thinks that the developers should agree to a new sound survey. If things stay as they are, noise complaints from future residents could end up closing Thekla, as has happened with many other venues across the city.

The Music Venue Trust, a charity that aims to preserve UK grassroots music venues has also expressed their concerns. A campaign to save the venue has already started with #savethekla on social media. Please share. Let everybody know that we’re still in time to save it.

This is all a very different feeling to that of The Louisiana. The famous Bristol venue is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. The big all-dayer is going to be on 26th with bands from 4pm to 11pm. The line-up includes, Lice, Bubba, Flag Fen, Poisonous Birds, Ghost Of The Avalanche, Oh, The Guilt, October Drift, Human Bones, Oxygen Thief and Last Hyena. We’re really excited about it. Not only because The Louisiana is a true Bristol legendary venue, the names that have played inside its walls are almost unbelievable but also because we’ve filmed lots inside it. We even host our own events there.

Videos and New Projects

Our session with Elder Island is out now. We met the band at Spoke and Stringer on the waterfront, a great summer hot spot in Bristol. You can check it out on our Youtube channel here. The band head out on a UK tour next January and are coming to play in Bristol on the 27th at Thekla.

We have a new project on the way called ‘BMS Challenges’. You’ll see Harriet Robinson and Suzi Purdie embark on learning adventures with Bristol music people. They’ll beatbox with Bellatrix and learn how to scratch with DJ Moneyshot. The idea is to show you every Bristol artist’s unique style. Well, that was the idea, but the ladies are getting quite competitive and both want to win every challenge. Subscribe here to see how they get on here.

Radio

You’ve probably seen them busking the streets of Bristol five-piece jazz and funk outfit, Snazzback were live in session with us on BCfm Radio on Monday 13. Saffron Records’ China Bowls performs live on November 20 and we’ll be joined by Bristol beatboxer Pye, who’s competing in the UK Beatbox Championships

BMS Recommends

In:Motion – Worldwide FM: Friday November 24

Gilles Peterson hosts a night as part of Motion’s Winter series, which basically just gets better every year. Expect Bristol’s Julio Bashmore and Admin plus Romare, Moxie and a whole lot more.

Mike Dennis at Grain Barge: Thursday November 30

He raps, he plays violin, then he loops it. Totally unique and hugely talented, catch Mike Dennis as part of his Junction 29, Part Two, EP tour.

Gig of the Month

Obviously we’ve mentioned it already but get yourself down to the Louisiana on 26th and celebrate the last thirty years of awesome gigs with some of the best Bristol bands around.

Get in touch with us:

Email: bristolmusic@bcfmradio.com
Facebook: BristolMusicShow
Twitter: BrisMusicShow
Instagram: @BristolMusicShow