Sunday led us to the buzz and colour of Bristol Sounds, and I was already swept up in the excitement before we even arrived. I had seen the photos and glowing reviews from previous days and it promised the kind of carefree summer vibe only the best festivals seem to capture. Set on the edge of the stunning Bristol Harbourside, the amphitheatre offered panoramic views that felt like a postcard. The moment we entered, we were greeted by the delicious scent of street food drifting through the air. From Greek wraps to juicy burgers, the food stalls were enough to make anyone’s stomach rumble. I made a mental note to head back after the final act to treat myself.
We made it just in time for Lucy Spraggan’s set. Lucy captured the nation’s heart during her time on The X Factor back in 2012, and she’s only grown more captivating since. I’ve seen her perform twice before, but this time I had the privilege of photographing her on stage and it felt pretty special. Her music is like an open diary, wrapped in catchy folk pop melodies that speak to real life. She came on stage glowing, guitar in hand, and from the first strum, her rich voice filled the amphitheatre. Her wit and charm sparkled between songs, and it didn’t take long for the crowd to be completely under her spell.
She played all her fan favourites, including the infamous “Loaded Gun”, which fans lovingly refer to as “Lonely Goats” thanks to a hilarious mix-up that Lucy shared with the audience. The nickname has stuck, and she now affectionately refers to her fanbase as the Lonely Goats. The audience roared with laughter and love. When she performed “Tea and Toast”, she shared the beautiful backstory of spotting an elderly couple on a bench and imagining a life spent growing old together. By the time she reached her closing song “Unsinkable”, the entire crowd was singing in unison, arms raised to the sky in a moment that felt both powerful and tender. “We are unsinkable” echoed around the harbour and it gave me goosebumps.
Next up was the man himself, Olly Murs. The anticipation was thick in the air. Fans wore Olly Murs t-shirts, waved signs and chattered excitedly. When Olly hit the stage, the place exploded. From the moment he stepped out, his charm lit up the crowd. He launched straight into “Troublemaker”, his signature cheeky grin beaming, and it was like watching a spark catch fire. His moves were slick, his energy boundless, and it was easy to forget it had been 16 years since he first graced our screens on The X Factor.
He powered through a set of number one hits, sprinkling in newer tracks and stories about his journey, including heartfelt words about his wife and new baby. At one point he joked about being called out for having a “dad bod” in the press, much to the crowd’s delight. He looked every bit the star in his sparkling black vest top, radiating joy and confidence. A surprise highlight was his mash-up of seventies and eighties classics including “Beat It” and “Living on a Prayer” complete with moonwalks and rock star struts. It felt like a playful nod to the partners in the crowd and had absolutely everyone dancing and singing along.
Towards the end of his set, Olly threw his iconic trilby hat into the audience, a nostalgic throwback to his early days. He finished with the uplifting “Dance With Me Tonight”, and the crowd erupted, jumping, twirling and soaking up every beat in the warm summer air. There was a pure joy across the amphitheatre that was completely contagious.
As the last notes faded and the crowd began to move, we made our way to the food court. The atmosphere there was just as glowing, full of people raving about the show, sharing laughs and stories. To top it off, the food vendors were offering everything half price. A cheeseburger never tasted so good and the white chocolate-covered doughnuts were pure bliss.
I left feeling utterly fulfilled and so grateful to have captured such a beautiful day through my lens. Bristol Sounds 2025 was unforgettable, and I truly hope I’ll be back next year for more music, magic and memories
