A Beautiful Day Out – Featuring The Levellers, The Selector, Black Grape, Goldie Lookin Chain, Peat & Diesel & Grandmas House
It’s fair to say the weather gods have favored the UK festival season this year, and Bristol Sounds was no exception. Bathed in glorious sunshine until late into the evening, a packed crowd gathered for a beautiful day out, featuring an iconic lineup and some of the best live music you could wish for.
Bristol Sounds is now firmly established as a much-loved part of the city’s summertime vibe, drawing music lovers from all over the region and beyond to its picturesque placement by the harbourside. And those lucky enough to be in attendance for day 4 of this year’s festival had a gert lush lineup to enjoy, from up-and-coming local talent like @grandmashouseband to iconic bands such as Black Grape, @theselecterofficial and @levellersofficial . The sights and sounds held something for everyone: punk, ska, funk, rap, all washed down with copious refreshments from the wide range of bars and concession stands.
The atmosphere felt friendly, relaxed, and fun all day, especially when @_goldielookinchain_ hit the main stage. The lyrics wafting on a summer breeze across the river must have elicited some amazing expressions from those on the opposite side. Revellers swapped between sunbathing and dancing as the festival whirled around them, and the party vibe went on long after darkness fell.
@crosstownconcerts do such a wonderful job bringing this five-day extravaganza to the UK’s best music city each year. Bristol Sounds may not have put the original pin in the map, but each year it hammers it in a little further. We’ll be bringing you full galleries and reviews of the artists from day 4 and 5 over the next couple of days. Oh, and keep an eye out for our festival faces gallery. Maybe you’ll spot someone you know or even yourself.
Day 4 Headliners: The Levellers
The stirrings of something special started early at Bristol Sounds Day 4. A walk along the front row would give early indications of who the first arrivals were here to see. People of all ages & backgrounds, adorned in Levellers’ t-shirts, gave the game away far too easily. They had rushed to the barrier to catch a prime glimpse of the English folk-rock & Anarcho-punk band. Father time may have added a few grey hairs and wrinkles to the band since their formation in 1988, but as soon as bassist Jeremy Cunningham bellowed “Liberty Song” into the mic, the stage & crowd exploded into a kaleidoscope of noise & colour. The front row pierced the early evening sky as they screamed the lyrics back with all they could muster. Frontman Mark Chadwick rolled back the years & delivered a stellar performance. Sixteen songs in the main set and three in the encore provided huge entertainment & value for money for both hardcore fans & live music lovers alike. However, it was an extra special night for those most devoted. With the set packed with an impressive 8 tracks from 1991’s platinum-selling album “Levelling The Land”.
You really can’t underestimate just how big a coup @crosstownconcerts pulled off having The Levellers headline day 4 of the festival. The band were among the most popular indie bands in Britain in the early 90s headlining at Glastonbury Festival, first in 1992, then in 1994, where they performed on The Pyramid Stage to a record crowd of 300,000 people. So, this felt like a very special night indeed. The atmosphere created by the blend of rousing rebel lyrics, immense harmonies, and gorgeous fiddle was nothing short of electric. And how many bands can claim to have a mid-set didgeridoo solo? The encore was dazzling, the band performing in swirling smoke, illuminating the stage like a lighthouse in the fog and bathing the jumping silhouettes in the crowd in golden light. It was hair on the back of the neck stuff, for sure.
As the final strains of “A Beautiful Day” echoed into the blue-hour light, we can confirm day 4 was indeed a beautiful day out.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / The Bristol Nomad
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
