Bristol Live Music Highlights - March 2018
Posted on: 08 Mar 2018Here at 365Bristol, we're committed to making you aware of the best Bristol has to offer in terms of live music, great food and drink, days out and more. With the Live Music Highlights series, we'll be providing you with a list of the top live events at the beginning of every month, taking into account some of the city's favourite acts and venues as well as some you might never have heard of. We're a few days late this month, and have already seen the likes of Tom Misch and Brit Floyd on Bristol stages in March, but fear not - we've got The Wailers, Kamaal Williams, The Fratellis and many more still to come.
Before we kick things off, since we missed the chance to preview it in our Live Music Highlights piece, I'd like to report on Tom Misch's live show at the O2 Academy on Tuesday 6th March. Still only 22 years old, British singer-songwriter Misch is riding a huge wave of popularity at the moment thanks to his expert production and accomplished musicianship. On Tuesday night, as well as the favourites from his acclaimed releases Beat Tape and Beat Tape 2, he played two or three tracks from new album, Geography, due for release on Friday 6th April.
The highlight of the night was surely the encore, where he bought out UK Hip-Hop man-of-the-moment Loyle Carner to perform their new track Water Baby, provoking a huge reaction from the sell-out crowd. On the basis of this performance, I thoroughly recommend you get down to see Tom Misch whenever and wherever you can in future. On to this month's upcoming gigs in Bristol:
The Wailers @ O2 Academy Bristol, Wednesday 14th March
The world-renowned reggae group are back in the UK in 2018 following a huge headline tour this summer, with a special twist this time around. The Wailers will be playing the iconic Legend album in its entirety, due in Bristol on Wednesday 14th March 2018. This is certainly not one to be missed for music fans! The legendary Wailers band returns to bring its revolutionary sound to fans around the world. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, The Wailers continue to create musical history.
Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival @ Multiple Venues, Thursday 15th-Sunday 18th March
Bristol's beloved Jazz & Blues Festival returns to the city once again this month, with a huge range of shows, Q&As, masterclasses and more on offer from Thursday 15th-Sunday 18th March. With events shared between Colston Hall, O2 Academy Bristol and Bristol Folk House, expect some of the best Jazz & Blues around right now from artists like esteemed vocalist Carleen Anderson, guitar virtuoso Matt Schofield, sax legend Pee Wee Ellis and many, many more. The festival programme also sees a number of workshops take place throughout the weekend, so there's really something for everyone here.
Incognito with Carleen Anderson @ O2 Academy Bristol, Friday 16th March
We had to choose one stand-out show to highlight from the aforementioned Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival, and this must be it. This year's headliner and multiple award-winning vocalist Carleen Anderson is one of the most powerful singers around today. Amy Winehouse was known to be a huge fan of hers, once saying that “for live performances, you absolutely have to see Carleen Anderson at least three times in your life" - endorsements don't get much bigger than that. Couple Anderson's huge talent with Incognito's 35+ years experience as one of the UK's leading jazz/funk/soul acts and you're onto a real winner.
London Calling: A Tribute to The Clash @ The Fleece, Saturday 17th March
After a few years off and several line-up changes, London Calling's accomplished tribute to The Clash has now settled down to: Reg Shaw aka Joe Strummer, Dave Devonald aka Mick Jones, Joe Guatieri aka Paul Simonon and Shane Tremlin aka Topper Headon. They have played in the USA and Europe and been in the Julien Temple-directed Joe Strummer film biopic, The Future is Unwritten. London Calling's audiences have been growing and growing over the years, a testament to their ability to cover one of the UK's great musical acts.
Kamaal Williams @ The Lantern, Friday 23rd March
Kamaal Williams is the latest project formed by prolific South London artist Henry Wu. Formerly of Yussef Kammal, the acclaimed Jazz project in collaboration with fellow Londoner Youssef Dayes, the new collective continues down a similar vein of fusing jazz with the sound of urban London, and features Josh McKenzie on drums and Pete Martin on bass. Check out Henry Wu as part of Yusseff Kamaal with a live performance of their track, Calligraphy, here. Tickets for Kamaal Williams live at The Lantern are unfortunately sold out, but keep your eyes peeled for any being resold - this is certainly not one to be missed.
The Fratellis @ O2 Academy Bristol, Thursday 29th March
Coinciding with the upcoming release of their fifth studio album, acclaimed indie outfit The Fratellis are all set to play the O2 Academy at the end of the month. Best known for their tracks Chelsea Dagger and Henrietta, the band's newest album has been hotly anticipated as they try to recreate the magic of that golden period for indie music in the mid 2000's. Be sure to get tickets for this one before its too late to catch a top notch mix of old and new material from one of the UK's favourite modern indie acts.
Ticket availability and information for the above shows is accurate at the time of writing, but is subject to change. For more information or to follow ticket updates, follow the links above to the respective venues.
Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
