Music / Venue of the Month
Venue of the Month: Trinity Centre
Set in a converted Grade II* listed former church in East Bristol, Trinity Centre has been a key part of Bristol’s thriving music scene since the 1970s.
After being deconsecrated as a church in 1976, the building was sold to the Bristol Caribbean Community Enterprise Group the following year.
Trinity soon became the unofficial home of sound system culture in the city – sound-clash nights were a major draw for Black youth in Bristol and further afield, as sound systems competed to be the dominant ‘Champion’ sound.
is needed now More than ever
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The venue was notable for the diversity of its programme and line-ups would often feature reggae groups playing alongside punk bands, becoming important brokers for cultural dialogue in a city that was deeply divided along lines of race and class.
Alongside punk and reggae, Trinity has been home to many of the major musical movements in Bristol including dub, ska, jungle and the world-renowned Bristol Sound.
Many world-famous artists have played at the Trinity Centre during its nearly 50-year history, including Joy Division, The Specials, Prodigy and Public Enemy.
Since then, Trinity has remained one of Bristol’s last independent venues, keeping true to its heritage as a sound system venue by hosting local regulars such as Teachings in Dub, Sofa Sound and Timedance, as well as platforming the best local talent from the city alongside regular live music, theatre, dance, and community events.
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Since 2004, Trinity has been a successful multi-arts venue and community arts centre, with a mission to empower the local community with the arts and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access and shape arts and culture in Bristol.
It was announced in February that Trinity was one of three Bristol venues, among 13 other recipients, who have received up to £5000 as part of a third round of recipients for its major new funding initiative Music Venue Trust’s Pipeline Investment Fund.
2023 looks to be a great year for the venue as they have also been shortlisted for Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene at this year’s Music Week Awards.
You can vote for Trinity Centre at https://www.musicweekawards.com/grassrootsvote2023
Main photo: Khali Ackford
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