Bristol Live Music Highlights - February 2019
Posted on: 01 Feb 2019Here 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'll be looking forward to some top-notch live hip-hop from Yasiin Bey (better known as Mos Def) at the O2 Academy, an eagerly-anticipated performance from Bristol locals Elder Island, another live show from the prolific Beans On Toast - celebrating the release of his tenth album in as many years - and much more in February. Find all the details below.
Yasiin Bey (a.k.a Mos Def) @ O2 Academy Bristol, Sunday 3rd February
Few have had a bigger influence on hip-hop or are as well respected on the scene than Yasiin Bey, better known as the all-conquering Mos Def. His best-loved solo projects - the seminal 1999 album Black On Both Sides and The Ecstatic in 2009 - are widely regarded as two of the best records from the golden era of hip-hop artists, and it's the latter that will be providing the material for his return to Bristol this month. A chance to see The Ecstatic, an album which boasts huge tracks like Auditorium and Life In Marvelous Times, live in its entirety on a Bristol stage should not be passed up.
Ghetts @ Thekla, Tuesday 5th February
It takes a lot to stand out in the grime scene at the moment given the fact that hundreds of artists are emerging across the capital and beyond, but East London native Ghetts has done just that to become one of the genre's major players since starting out in the mid-2000s. A member of the pioneering NASTY crew alongside the likes of Kano, Jammer, D Double E and more, Ghetts has since turned his attention to a solo career and released two full studio albums and a slew of mixtapes to widespread acclaim - don't miss him at Thekla on Tuesday.
Route2Roots @ The Canteen, Friday 8th February
Having previously supported heavyweights like Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Dead Prez and Akala, Route2Roots have already amassed some serious hip hop credentials. The Southampton-based 9-piece collective have gained a loyal following along the South Coast, and are now making a return to Bristol for an intimate Friday night performance at The Canteen.
Elder Island @ Rough Trade Records, Tuesday 12th February
Bristol-based trio Elder Island are known for their dreamy techno-influenced tracks, providing audiences with jiving MPC beats as well as a myriad of effected keys, guitar, bass and cello. They'll be performing live at Rough Trade Bristol for the first time in February, debuting material from their brand-new album, The Omnitone Collection, due for release on Friday 8th. Undoubtedly one of the live highlights in the city this month, the band will be sticking around after the show for a signing session - don't miss it.
Jimothy Lacoste @ Thekla, Friday 15th February
What is there to say about Jimothy Lacoste that hasn't been said already? The young internet sensation burst onto the scene in 2017 with his unique brand of positive-vibes rap, quickly winning over fans in the UK and beyond and wasting no time in getting out onto the live circuit. Bristol has become something of a second home for Jimothy in recent months, with performances at Rough Trade Records and Simple Things festival already under his belt and a summer show at Love Saves The Day to look forward to. In the meantime, though, he's booked in for a show at Thekla part way through February - tickets are moving quickly on this one so act fast.
Beans On Toast @ Thekla, Saturday 16th February
Continuing a long-running tradition of putting an album out on the same date of every year, Beans on Toast recently released his milestone tenth studio album, titled A Bird In The Hand. The record has been tipped by some as his best yet, and he's now set to take it on the road alongside a full live band to play a string of UK shows through January and February 2019. Tickets for the Bristol show at Thekla on Saturday 16th February are on sale now.
Kasai Masai @ The Old Market Assembly, Friday 22nd February
London-based Kasai Masai mix the traditional sound of the equatorial African village with a distinctive urban edge to form one of the most unique live sounds in the UK today. The band’s fast-paced style of soukous and rumba meld with Congolese folkloric traditions to create an infectious form of dance music, and present a great opportunity to take in something a bit different on a Friday night if your partying days are behind you and you need to find a different outlet to satisfy your cravings for dance beats.
Tickets for the above shows can be found via the links above and are still available at the time of writing, but availability is subject to change. For more information on individual events or to find out what else is coming up at their respective venues, follow the links in the headings.
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.
