When looking at the toll that 2023 took on Britain’s grassroot music venues, there is no shying away from the harsh reality. Last year saw the highest ever percentage of location closures in the past decade – 16%. With an average of one venue every two days shutting its doors, it is with great importance and excitement that this Saturday sees Bradford-born junglist Nia Archives join forces with Save Our Scene UK as they travel to Bristol for an unmissable evening.
Monikered Nia Archives, Dehaney Hunt, is the first to deny herself the title of being the “jungle revivalist” – preferring to argue that the scene never went away. However, it is impossible to dismiss her recent rise to the top of rave folklore. Releasing hits such as “Baianá”, “Forbidden Feelingz”, and “Bad Gylaz”, she has come to adopt the title of “the emotional junglist” for her fresh developments within the genre. Approaching jungle with a holistic mindset, Nia has been sure to incorporate the sounds of jungle’s founding fathers (the “original nuttahs”) and the genre’s successor drum ‘n’ bass, whilst also adding her own twist. Heralding sounds of the past, the London-based singer-songwriter has been able to form a new sound that integrates a pop-like feel (epitomised in her releases “So Tell Me…” and “Crowded Roomz”).
Following the release of her debut single, “Sober Feels” (2020), Nia Archives has rapidly risen to the top of the British rave scene, performing at Glastonbury and Reading in recent years. Her upcoming tour sees her headline sets in Leeds, Manchester, and London before she teams up with the championing voice of George Fleming’s “Save Our Scene UK” for her Bristol show. Nia’s “Emotional Junglist UK Tour” is also in celebration of her first album “Silence is Loud”, which is set for release the day prior to her South West voyage. In what promises to be an unforgettable event for Bristol rave–goers alike, the day will include a multi-location itinerary that will reach its peak at the yet to be announced “secret venue”. However, what has been promised is the booming noise of the “Scotland Yard” sound system for the 2,700 attending junglists.
Throughout the evening, Nia Archives will be supported by the mesmerising beats of local “Bristol D’n’B Titan”, Clipz who has also risen through the music ranks in recent years. The undercard does not stop there though. Further support from Sherelle, DJ Flight, Artemis, alongside Cheetah’s back-to-back set with Guido YZ and Rozi’s with Supermoobster rounds off a stunning lineup.
Whilst it is easy to get carried away with the irresistible poster that has been plastered up across Bristol – letting us know that “NIA’S COMING TO TOWN” – the importance of the event’s cause cannot be understated. Founded by George Fleming, Save Our Scene UK has played a pivotal role in voicing the colossal significance of acknowledging the downward trajectory of Britain’s “grassroot ecosystem”. The venue crisis has plagued locations countrywide, permanently closing the doors of many prominent institutions. Spaces which once welcomed upcoming bands – such as nearby Bath’s very own Moles which paved the way for the likes of Oasis, The Smiths, and Radiohead – are rapidly plummeting into closure. As recently announced, the event shall mark the beginning of a new partnership between Save Our Scene and Music Venue Trust. The partnership shall hold a new fund that will see “no deductions and no admin fees”, as stated by Fleming. Simply put, “one pound equals one pound going to exactly where it is needed most”.
Collectively, the cause, the lineup, and the thrill of a “secret venue” guarantees something special. There are a few tickets remaining for the evening, so if you are a junglist looking for a multi-location rave in the heart of the South West that is for a wonderful cause this is the perfect thing for you!
Role - I am a passionate writer with an interest for reviewing concerts and music.
Available For - Gig reviews and artist interviews.
Qualification - Currently I am studying BSc in Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath.
First Concert - The first concert I ever attended was Coldplay at the Royal Albert Hall (2014). It was to promote the release of their ‘Ghost Stories’ album. I will never forget the call my dad gave me to say he had managed to get two tickets for the both of us. The whole experience was just pure joy. The relative intimacy (for Coldplay) of the Royal Albert Hall, will always make that night one of the best (if not the best) concerts I have ever attended.
Dream Concert - In all honesty this is too difficult to answer with just one concert. If I were to select a few artists that I would love to see, it would have to be: Hope Sandoval, feeble little horse, Greg Foat, Kurt Vile, Lucy Dacus (specifically playing ‘No Burden’ in its entirety), Jadu Heart and The Moldy Peaches.
There is also the difficulty of dream gigs that are not able to be done. These would be: Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Ann Peebles, Karen Dalton, Leon Russell, Mojave 3, The Smiths, and George Harrison (“All Things Must Pass” just from start to finish).
