Bristol's World Music Gigs

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Bristol's World Scene

Do we need the term World music in 2020?

World music has always been a problematic term, somewhere like Bristol is a key example of why. With 16% of the population being from ethnic minority groups and dedicated centres studying the impact of migration on citizenship, there seems little distinction between ‘local music’ and ‘world music’ anymore. Reggae is often classed as ‘world music’ given its Jamaican roots, but it has a strong UK heritage and for someone who is a 2nd or 3rd generation UK citizen with migrant parents, making music that’s classed as ‘world’ when they’ve never lived anywhere else but say, Bristol, seems an offensive categorisation. Its almost a cliche to say we live in a global society, so isn’t all music now world music?

Everyone knows that Bristol is a true melting pot of cultures and it comes as no surprise that the city has a healthy world music scene which manages to avoid the cliche. The on-trend big names in world music like William Onyeabor, Ebo Taylor or the Kuti family usually find themselves at home in Bristol’s Colston Hall. Occasional headliners can also be found at The Fleece and the Trinity Centre. St George’s hosts regular world music events covering more traditional music from Senegal, Mozambique and South Africa, where instruments like the kora and mbira are commonplace.

Locally, Bristol is home to some very talented ‘world music’ musicians. Afrobeat stalwarts like Mankala and No Stop Go (formerly Bristol Afrobeat Project) play smaller venues like The Canteen and The Old Market Assembly but also get the opportunity to support international bands at larger Bristol venues.

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Our recent world recommendations

British folk iconoclast Chris Wood graces the candlelit hush of John Wesley’s New Room. His everyday epics sketch sharp-edged portraits of England’s many overlooked lives, from empty nests to minor league football teams to tragedies of industrial decay. Acute compassion ballads FFO: Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Billy Bragg, Richard Dawson. Chris Wood at John Wesley’s New Room.

Sell out warning! Granny’s Attic craft a mischievous folk playground, weaving original tunes into centuries-old reels and laments with effortless virtuosity. Crisp melodies, playful textures, and infectious energy celebrate the living, breathing pulse of the folk tradition. Joyous foot-stomping magic FFO: Jack Rutter, Eliza Carthy, Salt House. Granny's Attic - Greenbank Folk Club at St Anne's Church, Eastville.

Marauding Norsemen Agabas charge into town wielding their self-coined ‘deathjazz’: a pummeling uptempo rawk engine with a thrash gallop, horn blasts strafing through the noise, and shredding throat growls atop a storm of riffs and rhythms. A cataclysmic ruin ritual FFO: Kvelertak, Imperial Triumphant, Slipknot, Converge. AGABAS at Exchange.

Sell out warning! Microtonal, instrumental, math rock meets minimalist sax-drone like La Monte Young producing Battles or Black Midi covering Beefheart. Horse Lords play with energetic algorithmic precision and daring influences - Caribbean rhythmic scales, bastardised Americana blues, blasts of bagpipes. Big WTF moment if you're new here... Horse Lords at Moor Beer Co.

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What our editors say

“THE LOUD PACK presents: Kizza's birthday at the GRAK ( 99 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AT) No more full male line ups! 50/50 equality rave! Come to boogie to a night of bassline, drum and bass, garage, grime, 140 and some world music! You have some of Bristols best up and coming groups: The Loud Pack (Big Asian Guy, Kizza, Ress.Less & Psili) Terror Cartel (Xpress, Immortal Frosty & DJ Tycotizs) DJ list: Dwelha Igknight Kyma Kaimeera Phi Splash Damage Gal T Tycotizs YGF Dex Flaat Face MC list: Big Asian Guy Chippy Immortal Frosty Kizza Psili Ress.Less Serious Ty Trapo Xpress”
From: Kizza's Birthday Bash

“Join us this Sunday as we welcome Internationally Acclaimed, London-based Saxophonist and Composer Len Aruliah. Known for his beautifully melodic and intricate lines, Len has toured with Gene Pitney, played theatre in the West End, world music with the 4Seasons Band and Association of British Calypsonians, and featured with the riotous Hackney Colliery Band and the River City Stompers. This sunday Len will join the house trio for a set of Jazz standards before welcoming guests to join for a jam session in set 2.”
From: Len Aruliah + Jam session

“Fusing DJ sets with live instruments, this event dives into a bold, relatively untapped sound that feels right. Expect genre-blurring performances featuring live guitar, saxophone, and trombone woven seamlessly into DJ sets, all under a vibrant world music theme.”
From: Merchant

“9-piece collective TC & The Groove Family are bringing their fiery, eclectic sound that flies through afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz, and grime to Bristol's Strange Brew. Originally formed in Leeds, their sound reflects the diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at the core of their project, and embodies their belief in music being a driver of unity. Come through for a party! Plus support MĀDŁY MĀDŁY is multilingual singer, rapper, and poet whose work weaves together the threads of Neo-soul, Nu-jazz, and hip hop, and resonates deeply across borders. eartrumpet”
From: TC & The Groove Family + MĀDŁY

“Now after refining our genre-binding high energy folk sound with countless gigs of all sizes for many years, we felt the time was right to record our debut album. We are incredibly pleased with it and it really captures our unique sound with influences rooted in Celtic folk, balkan and klezmer, as well as rock, afrobeat, ska, gypsy jazz and many other styles blended in.”
From: Razzomo 'Journeys' Album Launch + Mike Dennis