By The Epigram Music team
Exams are over, the sun is out, tenancies are coming to an end. But all is not lost. Festival season is officially upon us, and the summer is beckoning us to return to our briefly pristine new student houses over the summer months. Whether you're working over summer and staying in Bristol, completing a Master's, or just popping back to see a friend, here's the musical tea.
Panda Bear, 5th June @ Bristol Beacon
With a new album out, evocatively titled Sinister Grift, the Animal Collective co-founder continues to put his own spin on an unsuspectingly jagged timbre of art pop. Collaborations between other left-field pop musicians like Dean Blunt have reaffirmed his role in mustering all sorts of curious soundscapes, even long after his time in the legendary group that started his career.
Lucy Dacus, 8th June @ Trinity Centre
Lucy Dacus is taking over Bristol’s Trinity Centre for two intimate acoustic sets, in partnership with Rough Trade, celebrating her latest album, Forever Is A Feeling. Formerly a church, in that vaulted, stained-glass space, she’ll strip back new cuts like ‘Talk’ and ‘Ankles’ alongside fan favourites. With lyrics that hit like a gut-punch, this is your chance to experience those goosebump-inducing sparks up close.
Magdalena Bay, 9th June @ Electric Bristol
One thing's for certain: the merch table at this show is going to be killer. Offering glamorous, if slightly off-kitler, vortexes of sound with a nostalgic twinge, Magdalena Bay are taking the world by storm. Their presence in Bristol at the newly rebranded 'Electric' (formerly SWX) is more evidence that the venue has stayed up-to-date when it comes to stocking only the finest of rising stars and musical luminaries.
Nick Mulvey, 15th June @ Bristol Beacon
The words and visual flashes that spring to mind when describing Nick Mulvey are evocative of an artist whose work reflects and tends to a modern world of confusion, reminding listeners of the need to be brave and present in times of difficulty. Having played the Beacon last academic year, this return off the back of his new album called Dark Harvest is a harmonious response to the budding summer season.
Schwetfest 12.0, 20th June @ Strange Brew
As if the announcement of Ron Trent and A Guy Called Gerald playing the venue wasn't enough, this eight-pronged collection of electronic racket-makers is booting up the summer nights in style. Dubbed 'a DIY Sci-Fi Futuristic Musick Ball', the mouthful of a lineup contains some of the weirdest DJs from in the UK and further afield. Preceded by a warmup 'New Wave Karaoke' night on the 19th, its accompanying celebration will certainly be one to attend in anticipation.
Bristol Sounds, 25th-29th June @ Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Harbourside
Bristol Sounds never fails to combine two of our favourite things – legendary names from the worlds of rock, pop and everything in between, and the iconic city centre spot of the harbourside. A match made in Bristol summer heaven, Bristol Sounds is welcoming huge names such as Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs, The Fratellis and more, plus scorching supports such as Sports Team who have just been confirmed a mere two days ago. With this good of a lineup still growing, what’s not to get excited about?!
Japanese Breakfast, 1st July @ O2 Academy
The glistening shimmer of this indie pop group's musical textures are just as effervescent as the sun's reflection on the harbourside's gentle waters. Fittingly contemplative, the band's new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) will mark a moment for pause in their setlist, while their older and more danceable tracks are sure to lift the mood in equal parts.
Motion Closing Series: Y U QT, Bullet Tooth, Club Angel, and more @ Motion, 19th July
Although rumours of a 'Motion 2.0' are circulating, the original is unfortunately set to close its doors for good soon. The masked king of Gorpcore, Bullet Tooth, is joined by recent collaborators Y U QT among a host of well-respected DJs to take the warehouse to a fitting end. Going out with a bang is a given. Expect reloads, good times, and just a bit of bad behaviour.
Bloc Party @ Siren (Harbourside), 25th July
Celebrating 20 years of Silent Alarm, this hallowed British rock group is christening the record's second decade of consistent airtime at Bristol's summer pop-up venue called Siren. Shrill guitar with dramatic effects, tangling riffs, and a pounding rhythm section are what have held this band together. Where else but basking in the harbour's summer sun would this group be placed for the occasion?
IDLES Block Party @ Queen Square, 1st-2nd August
Not only are a staple local act headling this weekend bonanza, but they're also joined by some sonically adjacent bands from further afield. Namely, The Voidz of Julian Casablancas fame, as well as the rebranded Soft Play who recently dropped their old monicker of Slaves. Promising local DJs, food, and of course booze, this is a block party done the Bristol way.
Benny The Butcher, 2nd August @ Electric Bristol
As a member of the Griselda rap collective, Benny The Butcher has been at the centre of a remerging and haunting style of old-school hip-hop alongside acts like Westside Gunn and Mach-Hommy. Ruthless, energetic, and brooding are the words that come to mind when the sound of the label is pinned down: go see it for yourself.
FORWARDS @ Clifton Downs, 23rd-24th August
And last, but certainly not least, we arrive at FORWARDS. Closing off the Summer and signalling the return to Bristol for many students, this year the biggest of Bristol's festival offerings contains names like Doechii, Barry Can't Swim, Jorja Smith, and The Last Dinner Party. Top-class talent was expected, but this year's lineup really takes the cake.
Featured Image: Mom+Pop, Chris Shonting, [PIAS] Recording Catalogue, Kevin Agastra, (edited by Benji Chapman)What are you most excited to see this Summer?
