The day started with Count Skylarkin taking the stage, followed by Kiko Bun and then Hollie Cook. Despite the humid and warm weather, loyal Bristol gig-goers remained undeterred by the heat, with most of the crowd carrying a cold cider, wearing sunglasses, and enjoying food from local vendors. It was Dreadzone and then The Dualers who kept the atmosphere going, with listeners continuing to vibe with one another.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments of the day was when Count Skylarkin paid tribute to his dear friend and Bristol legend, DJ Derek. For 50 years, Derek was a fixture of the Bristol music scene, DJing reggae, ska, rocksteady, dancehall, and R&B. He became a national cult figure, playing at packed venues across England. His love of music and culture was sincere and profound.
In March, Bristol welcomed the iconic dub and ska acts Gentleman’s Dub Club and The Skints on a co-headlining tour. With both bands being such fans of Bristol, there is no doubt they would have known their crowd.
The Skints, a punk/reggae band from London formed in 2007, are well known for their eclectic mix of reggae, ska, dub, punk rock, and hip-hop. Their engaging live performances have earned them a dedicated following. Albums like “Live. Breathe. Build. Believe.” and “Swimming Lessons” highlight their ability to blend genres seamlessly and their commitment to social and political themes. Showcasing their musical skills from the onset, they engaged with their audience as the ska “skanking” circles began. Joshua Waters Rudge playfully enticed gig-goers, while Marcia Richards effortlessly sang, played keyboard, melodica, flute, and saxophone.
The other half of Sunday’s double headliner, Gentleman’s Dub Club, shouldn’t really need any introduction to Bristol dub aficionados. Gentleman’s Dub Club, formed in 2006, are celebrated for their energetic live shows and have played at some of the world’s largest festivals, including Glastonbury and Boomtown. Their albums such as “Pound for Pound” and “Lost in Space” showcase their mastery of dub and reggae, with infectious rhythms and vibrant brass sections that never fail to get the crowd moving.
Gentleman’s Dub Club’s horn players, Matt Roberts and Kieren Gallagher, came bounding on stage, almost colliding with Johnny, who throughout the entire set was grinning from ear to ear, absolutely loving life. Originally from Leeds, Gentleman’s Dub Club consists of Jonathan Scratchley on vocals, Toby Davies on bass, Luke Allwood on keyboard, Matt Roberts on trumpet, Kieren Gallagher on alto sax, Nick Tyson on guitar, Niall Lavelle on percussion, Tommy Evans on drums, and Doug Hunt as engineer.
An electric, infectious atmosphere was only achievable by a crowd looking to lose themselves and a band that was only happy to help them do so. From the laid-back to the crowd-pleasing modern ska, what a party it was. The Skints and Gentleman’s Dub Club both brought their unique sounds and high energy, ensuring that Sunday at Bristol Sounds was an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.
As the sun set over Bristol’s harbourside, the music continued to pulse through the air, a testament to the city’s vibrant music culture and the enduring appeal of live performances in such a picturesque setting. The combination of talented musicians, enthusiastic fans, and a stunning location made for a perfect summer evening in Bristol.
Words & Images: Ciara Hillyer
Role: I’m a professional photographer and I love using both digital and film formats.
Qualification: I have two university degrees in photography from UWE in Bristol, BA (hons) and a Master’s.
Available for: Gig shoots, festival shoots, portrait photoshoots, album and single cover shoots and behind the scenes photography.
First attended gig: When I was at school, we had an evening called “Bands Night”. At the ages of 14/15, quite a few of my friends were in a band, playing the drums, guitar and vocals. I would always go and support these nights as I was their biggest fan, but also because staying out until 9:30pm on a school night was wild. These are the earliest gigs I can remember and I remember them so fondly.
First gig shot: BAD SOUNDS! What an impressive show it was.
Dream gig: Heavy question. There are so many and I feel very lucky to have already photographed the likes of Self-Esteem and Arlo Parks. Photographing a Prince concert would have been magic. Right now, I’ll say that photographing U2, during an intimate performance somewhere in Ireland would be more than a dream come true.”
