Preview: Bristol Harbour Festival 2019

Bristol Harbour Festival, a celebration of the city’s maritime heritage, returns to the harbourside with music, markets, merriment and more on Friday.

This year’s water-based highlights include tall ships, an ‘aircraft carrier’ race challenge and the return of the Shipshape and Bristol Fashion Best Dressed Boat competition.

On dry land, Colston Hall kicked off the weekend with two one-off gigs in the Lloyds Amphitheatre as part of the venue’s Colston Hall presents programme. New Order took to the stage on Thursday and The Specials perform on Friday, July 19 as part of their 40th anniversary tour.

Taking place between July 19 and 21, Bristol Harbour Festival will once again see the harbourside come to life with three and a half miles of vessels, food, drinks and arts and craft stalls, as well as live music, circus acts and dance performances – featuring old favourites and new attractions.

The Bristol Music Stage in Lloyds Ampitheatre will showcase how world influences are resonated in the city’s music scene. Stage curator Tony Benjamin says the programme will represent the city’s musical legacy and display the strength of the current music scene.

Bristol Community Big Band will start proceedings on Saturday with their swing and funk classics, while legendary DJ Rob Smith, better known as RSD, who rose to fame as part of Smith and Mighty, will headline the stage on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Bristol’s Tan Teddy, singer-songwriter Nuala Honan and Bristol-born slam poet Dizraeli will all feature, with Sheelanagig closing the stage.

Daredevil stunts, circus performance, comedy street theatre and children’s activities will be the order of the weekend in Queen Square’s Circus Playground, thanks to Bristol’s Cirque Bijou, which celebrates 20 years in 2019.

Circus acts return for 2019

Jelli Records will present a lineup of local acoustic talent on the Centre Stage at Cascade Steps, with performances from The Great Sea Choir, Rosina Keir, The Harrions, the Barnacle Buoys, Julu Irvine and Heg Brignall, Mireille Mathlener, Storm Force 10, The Bristol Sea Slugs, Maaike Siegerist and Sounds of Harlowe.

While Thekla is undergoing refurbishment, its usual music programme will continue during the Harbour Festival weekend at the Dockside Stage, featuring The Rupees, Joe Probert, Katy J Pearson multi-instrumentalist Richard the Fourth and gypsy, folk-rock band Imprints.

Over the weekend, the SS Great Britain is offering an array of free activities to entertain the whole family.

A full lineup of poetry and spoken word is planned at Cathedral Walk. Highlights include Beth Caverley’s Poetry Machine, Isadora Vibes, Tom Sastry, Dizraeli, Lawrence Hoo, Toby Thomson and a showcase of the next generation of artists from Bath Spa University.

Meanwhile, the water will see the return of The Western Boat Show, showcasing a selection of vessels, ranging from yachts to power boats.

Philip Walker, head of engagement at Bristol City Council’s culture team, said that Bristol Harbour Festival is “the city’s opportunity to celebrate itself”.

The council estimates that the 250,000 visitors that attend the festival each year boost the economy by some £10m.

The West of England Combined Authority has also announced that it will extending its 5G Smart Tourism project, with plans to trial the technology over the weekend to “enhance the visitor experience and “manage safety”.

Find out more at www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

Main image by Paul Box

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