Music / Bristol
Lineup announced for Grillstock 2017
Craig Charles, Hot 8 Brass Band, Hayseed Dixie and The Darkness have been announced as some of the acts topping the lineup for the annual meat-loving, music mash-up Grillstock.
Returning to Bristol Amphitheatre in July, the eclectic annual festival will also feature Welsh rappers Goldie Looking Chain and the self-titled ‘world’s most epic rock band’ The Darkness, as well as the now legendary Meatrave.
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But of course, the main thrust of this big, bold barbecue-fuelled feast is really all about the food – specifically meat – and plenty of it, chargrilled, sauce-smothered, spicy, smoky, dirty, hefty great quantities to satisfy the most carnivorous of appetites.
From its early roots deep seated in southern sounds, bluegrass and twisted Americana, Grillstock has grown into a large scale, fully fledged music festival that, for 2017, will play host to three music stages and more than 30 barbecue food trucks.
Also on the menu for the weekend is street theatre, barbecue master-classes, eating competition, a huge, US-style barbecue contest and plenty of on-site bars to wash it all down.
Turning back to the music, festival goers can ease their way out of their meat comas with the likes of Casual Six, the 45’s, the hip-hop jazz and funk sound of Hot 8 Brass and fun-loving, guitar-wielding hillbillies Hayseed Dixie with their unique brand of ‘Rockgrass’ on Saturday, July 1.
And that’s all before headliner Craig Charles takes to the stage to blast out his special blend of funk and soul.
Sunday, July 2, brings The Mariachis, Legendary Shack Shakers, Goldie Lookin Chain, DJ BBQ and finally, The Darkness, to the main stage.
A more intimate, underground club experience can be sought in the Dive Bar, which will play host to a mix of live bands, slide guitars, banjo picking and late night DJ sets.
Highlights here include Son of Dave, DJ Cheeba, Sicknote Steve and the Dirty Diesel Outlaw Orchestra.
And not missing out, the legendary Meatrave. Taking place as the sun goes down in and around the grill-pits and smokers of the barbecue competition, this sensational after-party promises to be ‘the most amazing wedding disco without the hassle of a wedding’.
“Grillstock is not about a specific genre or style of music,” said Grillstock co-founder Ben Merrington.
“We set out to curate a great weekend of entertainment for our visitors that pumps alongside the changing rhythm of the festival as the day goes by as well as being good music to eat meat to. It’s a really diverse mix this year and it has taken us a while to put together but I think the line-up absolutely kicks ass.”
The sound of Hayseed Dixie:
A limited number of weekend early bird tickets are still available.
Read more: In photos: Grillstock Festival 2016
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