Bristol Amphitheatre, July 29th
Following on from an already massively successful two days at Bristol’s beautiful harbourside, Saturday night promised us Hospitality On The Harbour for the final day of Siren Bristol 2023.
Hospitality has spent 21 years hosting Raves, festivals, clubs, and, now, in Bristol’s most exceptional location, high-energy D&B with a stacked lineup. The gates opened at 2 pm on the glorious sunny afternoon, and guests began to pour into the arena. After a very wet July, this is the day rave we have been waiting for. The impressive coliseums of Lloyds amphitheatre create a visually dramatic backdrop for the crowd. Looking at the stage the open blue sky is ready for the main stage opener IVY B2B Georgia.
SPY B2B with Randall brought something for the old-school DNB heads and was an excellent floor filler. DJ Marky followed, who kept the good vibes going. Over on the second stage, the smaller but no less energetic crowd is enjoying the wobbly basslines and breaks that pump out of the powerful sound system.
There’s something special about Bournemouth-born producer Flava D, originating from grime and hip hop, she began her drum and bass venture in 2019 and has been a regular name at most festivals since, and watching her perform, it’s easy to see why. She kicks off her set, the crowd reaction is electric, gun fingers are pumping in the air, and everyone around is pulling their best skanking. Flava D is a seasoned veteran, her mixing capabilities are flawless as expected. She shells out several crowd-pleasers in her half an hour set, the perfect rinse-out.
The anticipation for Wilkinson was pulsating through the crowd, shoulder to shoulder, drinks flowing, the lights flooding the floor. Goosebump-inducing bass rumbles through Bristol’s harbourside cobbles and straight up into the rib cages of the audience, as the strobe and lasers bounce into the night sky. This full sensory experience is exactly what makes Wilkinson the best at what he does.
‘Even though the dancing’s done, don’t worry ‘cos the night is young.’ These lyrics seem to cause a chain reaction with every single person’s hand in the air. The beat kicks in and instantaneously transforms the amphitheatre crowd into one moving, synchronised singing organism. Wilkinson’s top track, Afterglow, scratches the itch that has been there since summer began. One night of Hospitality On The Harbourside in the city of Bristol ticks every box we could have thought of.
📸 📝 – @scramsistermedia / Cheyenne Jayne-Manning
Cheyenne Jayne-Manning @scramsistermedia
Role: Photographer
I’m a professional photographer, and I love to shoot festivals, events, and gig-goers. I’m also an editor, specialising in music videos.
Qualification: BA (hons) in Documentary Film Making from the University of Newport.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots and Touring
First attended gig: One of the first gigs I ever went to on my own was Chase & Status in 2008. My mates and I covered ourselves in glow paint, only to sweat it off jumping and dancing. It was the start of my never-ending gig list.
First gig shot: Technically the first band I ever shot would have been my dad’s, at the age of 9! My mum gave me this giant tape camcorder and I filmed the entire thing. Since then, I’ve shot plenty of friends’ bands whilst co-managing the live music venue, Le Pub in Newport, and I haven’t stopped since.
Dream gig: CASisDEAD, Slow Club, Enter Shikari, Dizzee Rascal (in the Boy In The Corner era), Turnstile, and The Prodigy.
