Twelve years after its inaugural celebrations, Bristol’s largest festival made its annual return to Ashton Court this weekend. Interspersed with cult classics with up-and-coming prodigies, Black Country icons — The Streets — led the party, and were supported by an undercard that held the likes of Eats Everything, Sub Focus, and Gorgon City. Following Saturday’s headlining by the widely loved Camelphat, it was Sunday’s turn to repeat the efforts and create lasting memories for 30,000 music-loving attendees.
Unlike the summery weather of the Saturday, Sunday started off in a more subdued fashion with a thunderstorm that quickly deluged Ashton Court into a mud bath — this, however, did not stop the masses making their way up the path to the festival entrance. Leaving the skyline of Ashton Gate Stadium behind and entering the mudded fields, fans were met with techno’s repetitive bassline underfoot, a sea of ponchos, and the towering Centre Stage. On walking around, the atmosphere was vibrant. An array of food and drink stalls, nine different stages of varying genres, and secret spaces for those who were willing to adventure. Despite the ever present mud, Sunday was set to be a special day.
Musically, the day began with a selection of up-and-coming DJs and similar artists. The Big Top was reopened for day two with an Invicta Audio Showcase which saw a double back-to-back; the Transmission stage was blessed with Izco’s back-to-back set with Reeko; and the Centre Stage was treated to the booming sound waves of Meg Ward. As the time grew closer to five-o-clock, the crowds made their way along to the Loves Saves Stage to witness the wonderful Caity Baser. Having released her first single in 2021 and being nominated for the BRITs Rising Star Award earlier this year — Caity Baser has quickly risen through the musical ranks. As the time hit quarter-past-five, the introduction of Baser’s debut album blared through the speakers — much to the delight of the main stage crowd. Soon after, Caity and her band made their way out to the singalong track “I’m a Problem” under the heart that adorned the Love Saves Stage. Baser continued to treat the crowd to tracks from her debut album with the likes of “X&Y” and “Oh Well”. Her compact forty-five minute set also celebrated the tracks that propelled her to the heights of musical stardom in recent years, making for a perfect start to the brilliant evening ahead.
Following Caity Baser’s brilliant beginning to proceedings, it was a quick walk through the muddy fields over to The Big Top for Watch The Ride — a jungle collective composed of Randall, DJ Die, and Dismantle. Allowing an escape from the storm weathered ground, junglists marched their way towards the booming bass lines that were being outputted from the tent. From wall-to-wall, ravers alike attempted to make their way as close to the front as they could. Watch The Ride met their packed-out evening crowd’s desires perfectly, playing a mix of jungle and drum n’ bass appeasing the excitement of every crowd member. MC for the set, Strategy persisted to keep the tent’s infectious energy high throughout the set as he perfectly complemented the beats coming from the trio’s decks.
Traversing across the swamp-like fields again, the crowds made their way to house music icon Eats Everything. Playing on the brilliant Brouhaha stage, Daniel Pearce — monikered Eats Everything — played a ninety minute set in front of his hometown crowd. Beginning his musical and DJ career in Bristol’s Loco Club as resident DJ during the early 2000’s, Eats Everything gained recognition in 2011 following the release of “Entrance Song” which won DJ Magazine’s Best Breakthrough Producer Award at the time. Coming onto the Brouhaha stage right after the amazing Scotland raised, African-born DJ Kilimanjaro — Eats Everything immediately set the pace with house bass lines and anthemic classics. Finishing thirty minutes before the legendary Streets, Eats Everything perfectly warmed the crowd up for what was to ensue on the Love Saves Stage.
As the time grew closer to nine-thirty, there was a noticeable buzz in the South West air, as people readied themselves for Mike Skinner and his iconic collective: The Streets. Formed in Birmingham during the 1990’s, The Streets rocketed were to legendary status in the music world during 2002 with their debut album “Original Pirate Material”. It was with the opening track of this album that the headliner’s proceedings began. As the lights flashed out, the silhouettes of supporting band members and vocalist Kevin Trail made their way from the wings of the stage to the orchestral sounds of “Turn the Page”. As the bass drum hit, the lights burst into action and Mike Skinner made his way to the front and centre of the Loves Saves Stage. The lead vocalist went on to recite the opening line, “That’s it turn the page on the day, walk away”, to which the awestruck crowd greeted with a deafening South West roar. Following the opening track’s success, Skinner chose to join in with the crowd’s muddiness for “Who’s Got The Bag” — much to the stress of the security. After eventually making his way out of the human maze and finding his way back to the spotlighted stage, the band went onto play another two songs from their debut album in “Let’s Push Things Forwards” and “Don’t Mug Yourself”, before moving onto more fan favourites from their 2004 and 2008 albums. Moving through the set, the band repeatedly lived up to the fan’s expectations with a carefully selected set of hits — old and new. Towards the end of the ninety minutes of brilliance, the band went on to play “Too Much Yayo” which sent the crowd into a frenzy once again. As the final notes played, an anticipatory ambience filled the packed-out section of the festival — everyone knew what was to come. Slowly blending the sounds of the guitar into the recognisable tune of “Fit But You Know It” the crowd began to bounce to the noughties classic. As the song came to an end, The Streets made their way off of stage thanking the adoring attendees for their ardent support throughout the show. However, that was not the end. Coming back onto stage for an encore, the South West supporters once again showed their appreciation for Mike Skinner and his bandmates as they reentered the Love Saves Stage for “Blinded By The Lights” (a tune from their 2004 album, “A Grand Don’t Come For Free”). As the penultimate song, it allowed for fans to quickly catch their breath before the finale: “Take Me As I Am”. By now, Mike Skinner’s face was caked in mud as he jumped into the crowd one final time. Standing front and centre on the railing that separated the band from their revering crowd, Skinner belted out the lyrics one last time. The set’s final song drew to a close, and the band repeated their showing of appreciation for the Bristol masses one final time.
Love Saves The Day had it all. Brilliant acts, old and new, discovered and yet to be discovered, DJs to bands. Start to finish, through the mud and the sunshine, you could not help but feel that summer had begun — and for many it had in the most perfect of ways.
Words: Johnty Tennant
Images: Adam James
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...!