Simple Things Festival, Bristol – All You Need To Know!

We love Bristol's Simple Things Festival, it's one of the better underground festivals on offer in the UK, highlighting the best in homegrown and imported electronic music from all backgrounds.

This year is no different, current Mixmag cover star Helena Hauff headlines the main room with her hyper in-demand blend of uncompromising electro, EBM and techno clatter. A perfect accompaniment, Detroit electro mainstay and Drexciya affiliate DJ Stingray appears alongside.

Room Two showcases one of the most revered contemporary labels operating today – Whities. Nic Tasker’s label is defined by a spirit of imagination and innovation, specialising in unique, curveball records that expertly toe the line between experimentalism and functionality.

Alongside Tasker will be a special live performance from Bristol favourites Giant Swan, plus DJ set from Minor Science, Coby Sey and Deena Abdelwahed.

Elsewhere in Lakota, where the old skool Simple Things Festival is thriving, Bristol label Wisdom Teeth curates Room 3 with a line-up of psychedelic, broken-beat and sub-heavy techno.

The bill is topped by rising US star DJ Python, whose 2017 debut album Dulce Compañia introduced the world to his singular ‘deep reggaeton’ sound.

Python is joined by Björk-endorsed club experimentalist LOFT, local heroine Anina, and Wisdom Teeth label-head Facta, whose most recent release saw him joining the ranks at kindred Bristol imprint, Livity Sound.

Futureboogie return to the Coroners Court with Glasgow selectors supreme Optimo and the brilliant Jane Fitz, with Studio 89 also taking up their usual space in the second Coroners Court with rising talent Mafalda headlining.

The rest of the nighttime line-up is completed by Gramrcy, Em Williams, Dave Harvey, Eris Drew and Studio 89 DJs.

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If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

simple things festival bristol

COLSTON HALL FOYER, Simple Things Festival lineup

Although the rest of the venue is shut for the Simple Things Festival, the Foyer is being opened for some of the day time performances, starting at 14:00 with Chaouche. Don’t miss Jun Kamoda the Japanese DJ who will be spinning some eclectic dance tunes that will get you on your feet!

Who can I catch there then?

Jun Kamoda (DJ), The Mauskovic Dance Band, Helena Deland, Emma-Jean Thackray, Dena, Haiku Hands, Connie Constance, Alaskalaska, Halo Maud, Chaouche

simple things festival bristol

LAKOTA – 6 Rooms Of Music – DJs And Dance Music

Any Bristolian worth his or her salt can admit to a misspent youth here. Once Bristol’s self-acclaimed ‘Superclub’, Lakota has gone through many changes over the years. The club and adjoining former Courthouse set the scene for the majority of the late-night festivities of Simple Things.

There will be a proper battle between rooms as each is curated by someone different, ranging from Crack Magazine to the record label Wisdom Teeth, who will be banging out some experimental psychedelic club music!

There are too many great acts playing to mention them all, but we’ll see you down the front for Björk-endorsed club experimentalist Loft, followed by DJ Python’s unique mix of deep house, shoegaze trance and reggaeton!

Who can I catch there then?

Lakota, Room 1 – Gramrcy, DJ Stingray, Helena Hauff, Em Williams

Lakota Room 2 – Tasker, Minor Science, Giant Swan (Live), Deena Abdelwahed, Coby Sey

Lakota Room 3 – Facta, Anina, DJ Python, Loft, Facta B2B Anina

Coroners Court – Optimo, Jane Fitz, Dave Harvey, Christophe, Eris Drew, Mafalda, David J Bull

Simple Things Rough Trade 2018

ROUGH TRADE

Newly popped up on the Bristol records scene, Rough Trade hosts regular live performances and signings, but they’re stepping it up a gear for Simple Things with a great line up from 3pm right through to 11:30pm! Check out post-punk Irish band Fontaines DC, championed by Steve Lamacq.

Who can I catch there then?

Parrots, Current Joys, Yassassin, Self Esteems, Great News, Fontaines DC, & Mellah

SWX Simple Things 2018

SWX

Better known as a club than a venue, SWX have opened their doors up to gigs in recent years. It’s a great space to see live acts with a slightly sloping floor giving good visibility to the more vertically challenged of us!

Make sure to see exciting new break out rapper Octavian from South London, his UK tour has sold out so this might be the only chance you’d get to see him!

Preceded by jazz fusion artist Kamaal Williams, this sums up all that is great about the variety of performers at Simple Things!

Who can I catch there then?

Octavian, Kamaal Williams, Rival Consoles, Iglooghost, Tirzah, Wooze.

Simple Things Festival Bristol

O2 Academy

As Colston Hall is shut for refurbishment this year (normally the hub of the festival), the O2 Academy takes on the artists who would normally play there.

One of the largest venues on the Simple Things circuit this year, it also provides the climax to the weekend’s day time performances with Slowdive on from 23:00 – 00:30.

Get there early for a spot close to the stage to hear this legendary guitar band! It may not be known as the most atmospheric of venues in the city but fear not as Crack Magazine is taking over proceedings for the day!

Who can I catch there then?

Slowdive, Rolling Blackouts, James Holden, Black Midi, Jimothy Lacoste, Scalping and Lice

simple things festival bristol

BEST OF THE REST

The Sportsmans host an intimate back room serving up a mix of live bands and electronica. Muso-run basement venue, Zed Alley, will also be stepping up for the Simple Things Festival so make sure you head down into the vaults too!

Round the corner, The Christmas Steps will be hosting the Independent Label Market with performances from midday.

All just down the road from the O2 Academy and Colston Hall Foyer, they serve as a very handy pit stop en route to other city centre venues

Who can I catch there then?

Sportsman – Warmduscher, Meat Raffle, Sorry, Rascalton, Bilk, Sistertalk, Haze, Wych Elm, Sans

Zed Alley – Tamu Massif, 404, Tungz, Herbal Tea, Denzel Himself, Last Hyena, Poisonous Birds, Tara Clerkin, Ebu

The Christmas Steps – Rough Trade DJ’s, Ellie Stokes, Kiia, Matt Sainsbury, Western Soul, Kokoro (Ambient Set)

Moving on to the night time venues and listings..

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information on the Simple Things Festival, please visit the Simple Things Festival website.

 

 

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