Since its founding in 2017, Bristol Sounds has rapidly become one of the South West’s most anticipated annual events — and the past seven days have lived up to expectations. This year’s edition welcomed household names like Placebo, James Arthur, and The Breeders, while also allowing upcoming artists — such as local metal acts Mother Vulture and Rxptrs — to showcase the promising future of Bristol’s music scene. Following evenings of metal, rock, and pop, Saturday marked Dublin-born Annie Mac’s turn to take the stage at Bristol’s Canon Marsh Amphitheatre. She brought a whole new genre to Bristol Sounds 2024, with an all-day celebration of soul, funk, house, and techno classics for a full weekend crowd.
Despite the gates opening at two o’clock, it was impossible not to notice the ever-present buzz that had eclipsed the quayside walkway. A mixture of pink cowboy hats, sequined clothing, and the rare British summer sun had brought Saturday’s party-goers out in full swing from the offset. Luckily for them, Annie Mac’s carefully curated all-day lineup answered their desires. The day commenced with the formidable beats of London-based Melle Brown, who fused funk and jazz with the deep beats of house music. Brown’s musical journey over the last few years has illuminated her versatility. From playing live mixes to house-loving crowds to releasing music with Saturday’s headliner Annie Mac, and even working alongside dance sensation Fred Again in 2021, Melle Brown is doing it all. During her two-hour opening set, she seamlessly mixed anthemic dance classics with fresh, new house bangers, readying the crowd for the remaining seven hours of music.
Although Melle Brown’s opening set was tough to follow, fellow London-based artist Scarlett O’Malley rose to the occasion. O’Malley is no stranger to Bristol’s Canon Marsh Amphitheatre. In the summer of 2022, the multi-disciplined artist supported Groove Armada’s 25th-anniversary show alongside Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ Huey Morgan. This time, however, she was here to continue what Melle Brown had started — preparing the crowd for Annie Mac. As the crowd grew during her two-hour set, she responded by playing tracks that were impossible not to dance to. Just before the penultimate act, Wookie, O’Malley’s crowd-responsive selections were epitomized by Crystal Waters’ 1991 classic “Gypsy Woman,” which got the remaining seated audience on their feet to dance in the sun.
Annie Mac’s third and final supporting set was 1990s UK garage sensation Jason Chue, who goes by the moniker Wookie. Chue rose in popularity during the late nineties with his underground club hit “Scrappy,” before gaining commercial recognition with the Top 10 hit “Battle.” Well-known for his remixing capabilities — having worked with the likes of Nas, Public Enemy, and Destiny’s Child — Wookie took the stage in the summertime heat just past four o’clock in the afternoon. Gaining the crowd’s energy with a slow, yet enticing introduction, the garage icon took the crowd back in time, sending many of the party-goers into a frenzy of nostalgic dancing. Chue went on to mix UK garage beats with soul and funk tracks, raising the crowd’s energy to a level that was ready to greet the iconic Annie Mac.
As Wookie closed off the final of three two-hour support sets, a sparkly red bomber jacket and black baseball cap could be seen in the wings of the stage. The red bomber jacket glistened more the closer it came to the beaming lights on stage, slowly revealing that it was Annie Mac under the baseball cap. Stood behind the decks, the former radio DJ shone under the lights of the three disco balls that had been gleaming since the gates opened, raising her hands in appreciation of the crowd’s anticipatory screams. For the penultimate time this year, Bristol Sounds’ headline act began — and much like Wookie, Mac started off slowly. As the tempo of the funk track began to increase, so did the speed of the crowd’s dancing, who had been instantly entranced: “Before Midnight” had begun. The bassline reached its ideal tempo, and the song played through. After a few tracks, Annie picked up the mic and croakily announced (in her iconically recognizable voice) that she was feeling out of sorts as she had just arrived from Glastonbury, where she had performed the evening before. However, her partying from the night before did not hold her back one bit, and she continued to play all the hits. With a set ranging from 1990s dance hits to fresh releases, Annie Mac brought nothing but positive energy to the penultimate evening of Bristol Sounds 2024. Her set came to a finish close to half-past ten, and the crowd all raised their hands one final time in appreciation for one of radio’s greatest ever DJs.
Although Annie Mac’s headline show came to a close, Press Play With Stacey (who had been playing in the food court for large parts of the day) entered the fray to continue with the music. Much of the crowd remained and partied well past Annie’s set. For many, this marked the end of their experiences at this year’s edition of Bristol Sounds, and there was no better way to celebrate what had been another wonderful rendition of an annual South West highlight. If this year, and the past years, are anything to go by, next year’s Bristol Sounds promises to be magical.
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).
Adam James @Adamjxphoto
Role: Photographer
I'm a semi-professional photographer that loves to capture anything and everything. I'd love to travel with my photography so going on tour has always been on my to-do list.
My first camera was gifted to me as a hand me down from my brother many many years ago and I've only gotten better since and learnt along the way.
Qualification: Self taught photographer/videographer. Didn't go to uni, work full time in telecomms.
Available for: Sport, events, portrait and anything that takes my fancy, other than weddings!
First attended gig: The first gig I attended was a band called Dog Is Dead at the Louisianna in Bristol. It was such a good gig and I recruited some family to take me as I was under 16! This band was my gateway into the Indie Pop Rock genre that I love today.
First gig shot: The first band I took pictures of was, was the first gig I went to alone. None of my friends liked the band, Pinegrove, so I contacted Thekla and asked if I could bring my camera. They let me in and I had my first photo pass! I still have the badge to this day.
Dream gig: Arctic Monkeys in the AM era. Watching Matt Bellamy run down the stage playing plug in baby. Moose Blood on a tour...!