Headliners announced for Bristol Harbour Festival

This year’s Bristol Harbour Festival is bringing Bristol’s music scene to nine venues around the city for its 50th anniversary.

The yearly celebration of Bristol’s music and performance roots will fill one and a half miles of the city with music, vessels, food markets, circus acts, live music and performers.

Lloyds Amphitheatre and Cascade Steps will showcase Bristol’s music scene, whilst Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Queen Square and Underfall Yard will play host to a carefully-curated selection of theatrical and musical performances.

The ‘Bristol Music Stage’ located at Lloyds Amphitheatre, will feature acclaimed jungle and drum & bass DJ, Dazee and 1982’s theatrical band Doreen Doreen.

Other highlights include Bristol Community Big Band on the Saturday, playing swing and funk classics, followed by jazz and soul-inspired singer-songwriter Sam Lindo.

Saxophonist James Morton’s Groove Den and bhangra band RSVP are also set to play at Lloyds Amphitheatre before St Paul’s very own Black Roots – a crucial part of the emerging British reggae scene in the 1970s – take to the stage.

The festival hopes to champion the city’s female DJs, with Queen Bee taking to the decks throughout the weekend and Dazee headlining Saturday night’s programme.

Over at Cascade Steps, the Centre Stage will see Jelli Records present a host of local acts including Bass Choir, Brian Inglis and Jaz Reza.

Sunday’s performances are set to be equally energetic, with Bristol’s Happiness Champion and self-proclaimed Knowle Wester, KALA CHNG, opening the show with her song Boombox, inspired by stories of Filwood and Knowle West residents.

Afrobeat rhythms will grace the Centre Stage with Lebo Montshiwa alongside old-school reggae from Onika Venus.

Aside from contemporary music acts, Bristol will also be opening its doors – or dock – to showcase an exciting maritime history through a multitude of performances.

For the first time ever, there will be free entry to the Albion Dockyard throughout the weekend, where the SS Great Britain Trust will welcome guests to the 540ft-long Grade-II listed dock.

Close by, a new year-long outdoor photography exhibition at Brunel Square will showcase the theme of discovery and Bristol’s global connections.

The world premiere of The Hamlet Voyage, a theatrical critique of the very beginnings of British colonial ambitions, will also be presented on the Matthew ship at Underfall Yard, with limited tickets available aboard, but plenty more on the shore.

The Matthew ship will hold a very special premier for The Hamlet Voyage – photo: Plaster

In more maritime themed activities, the legendary Cardboard Boat Race will see teams battle it out to bring their handmade vessels home on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Queen Square will host a ‘Circus Playground’ featuring daredevil stunts, high quality circus, comedy street theatre and creative workshops for children and families.

Highlights include Threeterboard – a high-flying teeterboard act who recently performed in Bristol with the critically acclaimed Revel Pucks Circus.

Millennium Square will also be filled with dance, as Bristol’s Got Talent, Bristol Ballroom Presents and Miss Daisy Dance Team all get the city grooving.

A summer barbeque will help festival goers make the most of the harbour views, whilst Bristol Refugee Festival will provide music and performances on the Sunday.

These are only a few of the highlights of Bristol Harbour Festival, which runs from July 15 to July 17.

For the full programme visit www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

The Bristol Harbour Festival is produced by Bristol City Council, with support from Arts Council England, and this year’s guide will be produced by Bristol24/7.

Main photo: Plaster

Read more: The Matthew ship will host world premier of ‘The Hamlet Voyage’

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