Bristol music venues respond – and how you can help

This story will be updated regularly as more venues inform us of their plans

The ongoing Coronavirus has seen several music venues throughout the city close their doors and postpone all upcoming events. This is in response to the latest government advice, recommending to stay away from any non-essential social contact.

Already we have seen Leftbank, Jam Jar and St. George’s suspend all upcoming events amidst the outbreak along with the cancellation of the annual Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival. To support Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival, you can donate here: https://www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/bristol-international-jazz-blues-festival-needs-you

Many of these venues rely on trade at the bar and ticket sales, rather than request a refund please consider other options. In order to help sustain these independent venues, donating back is one way in which we can help to ensure these places stay intact. Venues are in need of support and are recommending ways in which audiences can lend a helping hand.

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All day multi-venue festival Ritual Union have now rescheduled for August 8. Originally founded in Oxford, this was to be the first year in Bristol. All tickets will be valid for the August 8.

A statement from Ritual Union. Image courtesy www.facebook.com/RitualUnionBristol

A staple to Bristol’s colourful music scene, Thekla, is the latest to close their cabin. Announcing on their official Facebook page: “After much consideration and in the interests of our crew and customers, we have made the very difficult decision to close Thekla with immediate effect. Rest assured that we will open as soon as is possible and ready to party once again.

If you have purchased tickets for events within the next few weeks, please contact your ticket retailer for advice. Many of our events have already been rescheduled so keep an eye on social media and your emails for updates.

We are working on some projects to keep you entertained during this period, so watch this space. Until then, stay safe and wash your hands.”

Thekla are the latest to jump ship. Image by Khali Ackford.

The Bristol Fringe are now moving everything online, with artists set to perform livestreamed shows on their Facebook page. In a statement on their official Facebook page, The Bristol Fringe posted: ” As a result of what has happen in the last few days, it is with heavy heart, I have taken the decision to close the Bristol Fringe until further notice.

I feel a duty to my bar staff, clientele and entertainers and I am not prepared to take the responsibility of their welfare. In times like this, the health of everybody surpasses everything else.”

To support The Bristol Fringe with their ‘Live To Your Sofa’ series, visit: https://www.thebristolfringe.co.uk/live-to-your-sofa

The Bristol Fringe have opten to livestream their shows. Image courtesy www.facebook.com/thebristolfringe

A staple to the city’s live music, Mr Wolf’s, have also postponed all upcoming shows and made the decision to close indefinitely. Posting on their official Facebook page: “It is with a heavy heart we have taken the difficult decision to close Mr Wolfs. We believe it is our responsibility to both our staff and the general public to do what we can to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

We are proud to stand alongside other Bristol independent businesses in making this difficult decision. We would like to thank all of our customers for their unwavering support over the last 18 years and we look forward to seeing you all for the grand reopening.”

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Read more: Coronavirus: Bristol arts venues respond – and how you can help

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Exchange have since closed down, writing on their official website: “After a turbulent couple of weeks we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close Exchange. Ultimately we have decided to follow the advice of the experts – medical officers and epidemiologists – who have advised that social distancing is now required for the good of society. We would have welcomed more decisive leadership from government and remain disappointed that a firm ban was not put in place.

As a starting point we have cancelled all events for the next fortnight. We are working our way through rescheduling events and processing refunds where this isn’t possible. This take time so we appreciate your patience.”

They are also asking to support their neighbours upstairs, an independent record shop: “Please consider supporting Specialist Subject Records by purchasing records via their online store. Bands, please consider booking a recording session at Joe’s Garage.”

Exchange is a community owned venue, show your support by becoming a member. For more information, visit: https://exchangebristol.com/community-owned/14-03-2020-become-a-member/

Exchange have made the tough desicion to close their doors. Image courtesy www.facebook.com/exchangebristol

The Forge have since postponed all upcoming events, writing on their official website: “We are postponing all events & workshops and will keep reviewing the situation as we move forward through the Coronovirus outbreak.”

To support The Forge you can buy a gift card for a creative workshop of your choice, be it jewellery making, photography or calligraphy. For more information, visit: https://www.theforgebristol.com/product-page/gift-card. Every little helps.

One of Bristol’s largest music venues, O2 Academy have postponed all upcoming shows and events until March 31. Announcing on their official website: “All shows and events until 31 March are temporarily postponed, so to help keep you up to date of plans and changes, ticket holders of any affected event will be contacted directly.

As venue operators, our priority right now is to work with event promoters and organisers, to rearrange dates for artists, and to help us do that, we whole-heartedly appreciate your support to remain positive and productive as we all adapt to the challenges in this global situation”

With a capacity of 1600, Bristol’s O2 Academy is one of the largest venues in the city. Image by Phil Watson.

The Fleece have now closed their doors until April, with owner Chris Sharp announcing on their Facebook page: ” Yesterday I decided to try to keep The Fleece open this weekend. This was mainly because I wanted to give some shifts to our bar staff, security and cashiers. Like all music venues, we are in an impossible position but we have listened to your feedback and in light of the rapidly deteriorating situation and lack of clarity from the UK government, I have now decided to close the venue from today until the end of April.

We are trying our best to reschedule as many gigs as possible so PLEASE bear with us before asking for a refund. Your tickets WILL be valid for the new date. All gigs from Friday 1st May and onwards will remain on sale for the time being.”

They are continuing to update their listings, for more information visit: https://thefleece.co.uk/coronavirus/

The Fleece are currently open, with club nights and local bands still performing. Image courtesy www.thefleece.co.uk

Fiddlers have made the tough descision to close their doors until June 2020, posting on their Facebook page: “Fiddlers have been working very hard the last few days to get to the stage that we can now announce we will be closing for health and safety! and will not reopen until at the earliest June 2020, but may be subject to change.

Fiddlers have not taken this decision lightly, but consider it the up-most importance to assist in anyway possible to help prevent the spread of this virus. We care about all the staff working for us but especially the Bar staff that will be at close contact to customers putting them at risk which is Something as a family business we are not prepared to do!”

After 25 years of trade, this is the first time Fiddlers have had to implement a temporary close. Image courtesy www.facebook.com/fiddlers.bristol

Fruit Machine, the weekly funk and hip hop jam which is held at Mr. Wolf’s every Wednesday have postponed all upcoming endeavours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B91mIpTB5RF/

All day multi-venue festival Ritual Union have since made an announcement on their Facebook page about the festival’s future. The festival is due to take place on March 28 and features a line-up of local artists as well as international acts.

An update from Ritual Union, image taken from their offical Facebook page

Womxn championing record label Saffron Records have decided to postpone all upcoming Mix Nights and workshops. They have reached out for support, if you’d like to support Saffron artists then you can do so by visiting: https://saffronrecords.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/SaffronRecords/status/1239929018746626049

Main photo of Jam Jar, by Rowan Quarry

Read more: Bristol music venues fear Johnson has ‘signed the death warrant’ for their industry