Live Recap: The Beths @ O2 Academy, Bristol
Two Kiwi bands on one Bristol stage? Hard to argue with that. On their first return to the O2 Academy since supporting Death Cab For Cutie in early 2019, The Beths found a room not just ready but devoted. Loyal fans turned up in numbers—many in well-worn tour tees—proving that the band’s reputation has quietly […]
Live Recap: Mei Semones @ Exchange
You can often judge a show’s success by the length of the merch line when the lights come up. These are economically tough times, and pricey shirts or vinyls usually take a backseat to rent and utilities. Yet despite that—and despite much of the audience being students under 25—half the crowd at the Exchange pressed […]
7 Moments That Show DJ AG Is Changing the Game
If you’re new here, Ashley Gordon—also known as DJ AG—is a Black DJ from Tottenham, London, who has spent the last few years cultivating an online community. Known by the slogan “London DJ making a difference,” he’s built his reputation DJ’ing on the streets of Jamaica, London, and New York. In 2022, AG began livestreaming […]
Live Recap: Breakfest 2025 @ Strange Brew
Creeping up on their 10th year in the biz, Bristol’s Breakfast Records has earned a solid reputation for putting out some of the city’s most stonking indie, folk, and punk releases. With their outfit Get Down Services making waves and Bristol’s independent spirit running through the label, the timing was perfect for another round of […]
Album Review: Frost Children, ‘Sister’
Byline: Bella Spratley Frost Children’s latest album, Sister, scratches the party itch. Blending weirdness with raw talent, the duo delivers a hedonistic EDM record that crackles with energy, vibrant synths, and layered vocals. From the first beat, it’s impossible not to get pulled in. Every track surges with momentum, driven by bold production that […]
Album Review: Ho99o9, ‘Tomorrow We Escape’
It’s been three years since New Jersey psych-rock duo Ho99o9 blessed us with their industrial punk album SKIN. Soon after, they shifted gears, softening the tone with their Ho99o9 Presents Territory: Turf Talk, Vol. II, a mixtape that delved deeper into the hip-hop genre. Now, two years later, the duo returns with their third studio […]
Live Recap: Dutch Mustard @ The Louisiana
It’s been a hot minute since I last stepped into The Louisiana. Returning to one of Bristol’s most important venues is always a pleasure. At first glance, the Georgian building looks like a quirky yet unremarkable city-centre spot. It’s dressed up with a touch of New Orleans flair. Downstairs, there’s a cosy, run-of-the-mill pub. Upstairs, […]
Live Recap: La Sécurité @ Thekla
Despite legions of bands currently tearing through the festival circuit, the lure of Bristol’s floating venue, Thekla, remains strong. The beloved boat is still more than capable of delivering exhilarating midweek entertainment. Bella Union’s new recruits, La Sécurité—a Canadian dance-punk group from Montreal promising a funky treat—headlined Wednesday’s show. Kicking things off, however, was a […]
Album Review: The Beths, ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’
From The Beatles to The Byrds, jangly guitars have long carried the weight of complex human emotions. One of the latest torchbearers for the good old arpeggio is New Zealand’s The Beths, returning with their fourth studio album, Straight Line Was a Line. Their debut for ANTI- Records and first release since the year-end-list-topping 2022 […]
Festival Recap: Forwards, Saturday
Bristol is never short on opportunities for a good rave, but Forwards Festival has quickly cemented itself as a highlight of the city’s annual calendar. Taking place over two days and drawing up to 60,000, it’s the city’s biggest inner-city festival, blending electronica, pop, indie, and dance. Already renowned for its diverse lineup, Saturday’s bill […]