Music / Previews
Metal & Prog Picks: January 2024
Incredibly, Bristol Sounds have actually booked some (semi-local) rock acts for their summer blowout in the Bristol amphitheatre. It’s not actually billed as such, but Rock Day takes place on Saturday 22 June. Headliners are Newport’s very own ragga-metallers Skindred, still basking in the massive chart success of their Smile album. Also on the bill are Somerset’s Reef and the increasingly impressive Kris Barras Band from glamorous Torquay. Tickets are on sale now. Grab ’em while you can because some of 2024’s big shows are already beginning to sell out. Such is Bristol’s love of power metal, for example, that the Dragonforce/Ameranthe gig at the Academy in March became the second show on that whole European tour to sell out.
In somewhat grimmer news, Magnum’s spring tour, which included a date at SWX in April, has been cancelled after guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin was diagnosed with a rare, incurable, potentially degenerative spinal condition. He promises that this will not mean the end of Magnum, “but the future might have to be a bit different”.
is needed now More than ever
Thekla, Jan 12
Kicking off 2024 in suitably rockin’ style and making a welcome return after a long break, Wayward Sons are back for the first in a short run of headlining gigs. Fronted by Bristol’s very own Toby Jepson and still featuring the guitar talents of Sam Wood, who was last seen at the Academy with Black Star Riders, they haven’t released anything since their third album, Even Up the Score, two years ago. There are two support acts tonight: Derby power rockers Muddibrooke and Bristol’s leading – and, indeed, only – southern rockers Sons of Liberty.
Exchange, Jan 21
Last seen opening for Skindred at the Academy, London-based punk-metallers Saint Agnes are very angry indeed – in that familiar Gen Z kinda way. Their new album, Bloodsuckers, covers topics ranging from bereavement to mental ‘elf.
Thekla, Jan 23
Flying the flag for sleaze rock since the mid-1990s, California’s Buckcherry remain pleasingly unaffected by musical fads and fashions. These days, Josh Todd’s mob are signed to Earache Records in the UK and recently released their tenth album, imaginatively titled Vol. 10. Expect to hear all their biggest hits, including Crazy Bitch, Lit Up and Sorry, tonight.
Fleece, Jan 25
Under normal circumstances, covers bands and tribute acts wouldn’t get a mention here, but Bat Sabbath are in fact Canadian hardcore punks Cancer Bats playing a full set of faithful Black Sabbath covers. They’ve even released an EP, Masters of Duality, featuring their versions of Children of The Grave, Iron Man, Into the Void, N.I.B. and War Pigs.
Thekla, Jan 30
Well, it’s taken bloody long enough. One of the key bands in modern prog, Spock’s Beard have been going for more than 30 years now, but this is their first ever visit to Bristol. Founding members Neal Morse and Nick D’Virgilio are no longer with them, Morse having suffered an attack of Christianity (he now releases devotional concept albums) while D’Virgilio is a full-time member of Big Big Train. However, Neal’s guitarist brother Alan remains, as does keyboard player Ryo Okumoto. They’re joined in the current line-up by vocalist Ted Leonard and bassist Dave Meros. There’s been no official word of a drummer, but it seems likely that they’ll be touring with former Saga man Mike Thorne again. Taking influences from the likes of Yes and the mighty Gentle Giant, Spock’s Beard are renowned for their multi-part vocal harmonies and recently put out a 20th anniversary remastered reissue of their Feel Euphoria album.
Main pic of Buckcherry: Jimmy Fisco
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
Evil Scarecrow, Thekla, Feb 2
Suffocation, Fleece, Feb 19
The Pineapple Thief, SWX, Feb 21
TesseracT, O2 Academy, Feb 22
Alestorm/Korpiklaani/Heidevolk, O2 Academy, Feb 25
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, SWX, Feb 26
Rick Wakeman, Bristol Beacon, Feb 28
Sons of Liberty, Thekla, March 3
10cc, Bristol Beacon, March 7
Crowbar, Marble Factory, March 8
Ugly Kid Joe, Fleece, March 10
Justin Hawkins Rides Again, St. George’s, March 19
DeWolff, Louisiana, March 19
Dragonforce/Amaranthe, O2 Academy, March 22
Sylosis, Fleece, April 4
Jethro Tull, Bristol Beacon, April 17
DVNE, Exchange, April 27
When Rivers Meet, Thekla, April 28
Bossk/Maybeshewill, Fleece, May 15
Yes, Bristol Beacon, May 31
Bristol Sounds: Skindred, Reef, Kris Barras Band, Canons March Amphitheatre, June 22
Love with Johnny Echols,. Fleece, Aug 1
Visions of Atlantis, Exchange, Oct 7
ArcTanGent Festival: Meshuggah, Animals As Leaders, etc., Fernhill Farm, Aug 14-17
Hawkwind, Bath Forum, Aug 16
Battle Beast, Marble Factory, Oct 3
Steve Hackett, Bristol Beacon, Oct 5
Delain, SWX, Nov 22
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
