Review: Love Saves the Day, Ashton Court – ‘Lived up to its expectation in every single metric’

As Bristol welcomed in the late May bank holiday, the city awoke to blue skies and what felt like the arrival of our long-awaited summer.

The streets on this Saturday morning were a little more lively than usual however, for one very important reason.

Bristol’s dance music scene is famed throughout the country, and this weekend was set to host the biggest date in the scenes calendar. Love Saves The Day.

As music fans from the South West and beyond made their way up to Ashton Court Estate, anticipation buzzed through conversations of stand-out artists due to perform.

Among the list of well-known performers, there were certainly one or two names mentioned a little more than others.

Saturday nights headliner Fatboy Slim seemed a particular favourite among most, as well as the much-loved noughties girl band Sugababes.

So, let’s get the record straight. Every artist which I was lucky enough to see this weekend proved not only their own talent but Bristol’s ability to host a world-class event.

Now, while I would love to talk about every artist and group, I think it might be better to narrow it down to my ultimate favourites. The ones who took the event to the next level and showed how to truly make the most of a festival crowd.

The first name which I will mention on my stand-out list is Nia Archives. Jungle music is synonymous with the Bristol music scene and this weekend seemed like a perfect time to celebrate this.

Fatboy Slim closed out the Saturday night at the festival. photo: Darren C Photography

In the Saturday afternoon sun, Nia Archives certainly lived up to this expectation with a stunning set of perfectly crafted jungle beats. Her energy on set is known to be electric and let me tell you, she most definitely did not disappoint.

Next up is a group which I felt was impossible not to include. Despite their genre being a touch left field when compared to the rest lineup, they summed up the feeling of the weekend completely.

In fact, they were undoubtedly one of the ultimate highlights. Sugababes are well and truly noughties legends and a rite of passage for any music fan.

The truth is that behind most music enthusiasts’ staunch defence of underground tunes, there is a love for the pop classics, and Sugababes certainly delivered on this front.

There was something for everyone at this years event. photo: Darren C Photography

There is one more artist which I would like to mention and in my opinion, I’ve saved the best until last. Knucks is one of the UK’s most exciting artists and the past 12 months have been somewhat of a breakthrough for the London-born rapper and producer.

His album Alpha Place really is a masterpiece in production and he performed the songs on this record with staggering perfection.

There is no doubt that Bristol is a world-class city to hold an event of this magnitude and Love Saves The Day lived up to its expectation in every single metric.

One thing is for sure, while the sun set on a weekend of undoubted success, every music fan in the city was planning their return next year.

Main photo: Darren C Photography

Read next:

• Could partying and the planet go hand-in-hand?
• Fatboy Slim to headline Love Saves the Day 2023
• Review: Love Saves the Day 2022, Ashton Court – ‘A festival of two halves’

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