People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Fenne Lily
Singer-songwriter Fenne Lily grew up in Dorset, first picking up a guitar aged 15 before moving to Bristol for an art foundation course. The first song she ever wrote, Top To Toe, has got more than 20 million plays on Spotify. Her folk-tinged debut album On Hold is released on April 6 and she headlines the Thekla on April 17.
Here are Fenne’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The waterfront by the Arnolfini
is needed now More than ever
“This is my favourite place to think and not talk to people, which is a totally sad way to rate your favourite places, but I really love cycling down there at night and watching the swans do their thing. It’s beautiful and peaceful.”
The Gallimaufry
“I spent a lot of time at the Galli when there was construction work being done near my house and I couldn’t sleep or work, so I’d sit and write and drink coffee. It’s such a warm place (temperature and vibe) and everyone who works there is lovely. James, who runs it, gave me a residency there which instigated a massive writing period for me, so I’m hugely thankful for that.”
Books For Amnesty
“I read a lot and quickly, and I’m kind of selfish in the sense that I like to own and hold onto every book I finish. So this Gloucester Road shop is a godsend. I’ll visit Books For Amnesty maybe weekly, and come out with four or five wicked cheap finds every time. Bollocks to Kindle. Risk a paper cut, you might enjoy it.”
The Louisiana
“The first show I ever played was in the basement of the Louisiana. My dad drove 16-year-old me and my vile jumbo acoustic to Bristol from Dorset and I played five songs to six people. It was dope. And now it’s probably my favourite Bristol venue to play because the sound is always 10/10 and everyone who works there is a premium babe.”
Fabric Land
“I just love Fabric Land on Bond Street. It’s got me through some tough times. If you’re stuck for creative direction, get down there. I like to stare into the rolls of fur and fake leather and think about how wonderful life is. And it’s so reasonably priced.”
Main photo by Carl Osbourn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YCB_-B-qZk
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