It’s Good Friday, the good weather is holding up and you’re ready to feast on your chocolatey treats this Easter. But before you go this weekend, why not catch up on some of our best reviews this week.
Superfood – 30th March | Thekla
Superfood have come out of hibernation in the shape of signing with record label Dirty Hit and embarking on a headline tour with fellow label mates King Nun and Pale Waves; it’s the beginning of their epic comeback. Read more
Slowdive – 30th March | The Fleece
The nature in which Slowdive have approached their reformation as a group after twenty years has allowed them to be received with a different sense of palpable excitement to that which other groups are given upon their return. Having delivered upon intentions of releasing new music, and said music having even as much quality as their best output, it’s handed the five-piece an interesting stability of fresh opportunities for themselves and fond reminiscence for their fans to engage in. Read more
British Sea Power – 6th April | Trinity Centre
British Sea Power fans are an interesting bunch. Go to a BSP show anywhere in the country, and you’ll no doubt see a similar scene. A surprising diversity of ages and genders, a significant proportion of whom will be sporting an item from the band’s (admittedly impressive) range of merchandise. Read more
Grandaddy – 31st March | Colston Hall
If an act has been around since the early 90’s and still performing then the audience will be populated with loyal followers and are less likely to show an interest in other bands playing than usual. This felt particularly tangible with warm up act Amber Arcades. They put in an admirable performance worthy of their profession but just didn’t manage to break the especially thick ice. Read more
Kate Simko and the London Electronic Orchestra – 30th March | Colston Hall
I’d never heard of Kate Simko and the London Electronic Orchestra but it didn’t take me long to get into the feel of her electronically produced, classically embellished trademark sound. Soaring violins and thick vocal harmonies cascaded over experimental housey beats of Champa, reminding me slightly of Bonobo, only more cinematic with less experimental sampling. Read more
Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains – 28th March | Thekla
Arriving onstage, frontman François Marry exclaims: ‘It feels like we’re coming home!’
Though originally from France, Marry moved to Bristol after his studies, where his passion for making music deepened as did his love of Bristol’s creativity and diverse cultural scene. The band’s first studio album was released in 2006 on Bristol label Stitch Stitch, but their love of music and exploring cultures has propelled them around the world. Read more
Dizraeli & DJ Downlow – 25th March | Old Market Assembly
Dizraeli is an individual of seemingly unceasing energy and remarkable memory. His live performance this evening did nothing but provide more evidence of that. The venue is an unusual one as it looks like a restaurant, feels like a bar, becomes a venue and has a small theatre nestled out the back. The downstairs quickly filled to capacity as excited individuals herded around the upper level eagerly hoping to glean as much of the good vibe being projected as possible. Read more
Circa Waves – 27th March | O2 Academy
Having already surfed the wave of pure happiness that is The Magic Gang, the crowd were more than warmed up for a night of energetic tunes, from Liverpudlian indie-rockers Circa Waves. Buzzing with much more excitement than you’d expect from a crowd on a chilly Monday night, an atmosphere of unique anticipation flooded through O2 Academy. Read more
Check back next week for more live reviews of the best bands around Bristol
