What's On: April at Strange Brew

What's On: April at Strange Brew

Posted on: 14 Mar 2024

Strange Brew is, quite possibly, the hottest-burning indie venue star in Bristol right now.

After miraculously surviving a start mid-COVID lockdown, they’ve quickly accrued a legendary reputation – especially among the cutting-edge, underground sides to Bristol’s music scene.

An eclectic combination of art exhibitions, life-changing gigs, staggering club nights and a whole host of other events including comedy gigs, drag shows and daytime art markets make Strange Brew a yoghurt pot of a venue: bursting with culture, very good for you – and deliciously enjoyable.

If you haven’t been to Strange Brew yet, you may feel like you’re missing out. You are. Worry not, however, as we’ve put together a roundup of their best events for the coming April.

 

2nd April – Brad Stank

Brad Stank is a flagbearer of Strange Brew’s beauty in the bizarre. A Liverpudlian psychedelic jazz-hop crooner, Brad Stank is always smooth, always funky – and always sexy. This show treats you to Stank backed by a full band – not an opportunity to miss.

5th April – Through the Noise Presents: Attacca Quartet

This 2-time Grammy-winning quartet are proof of this indie venue’s surprisingly powerful pull to artists in the know. Intelligent and educated without pretentiousness, Attacca bring past and future together for music that draws on everything from classical music, through electronica, contemporary music, and even video game scores.

Stick around after the gig for Better Days – a classic example of the sort of hard-hitting but creative take on b2b Strange Brew often pulls off.

 

6th April – Monochrome: Festival of Ugly Music

For something slightly different, dive into this DIY festival celebrating gnarly ugliness in music – from weirdo metal to ear-splitting noise rock and punk, this is one for the headbangers.

13th April – Uncle Sam's Vintage - 40th Celebration!

The first of many birthdays on this list, iconic vintage shop Uncle Sam’s is turning 40 years old (!) and are throwing their birthday bash at the Brew. An all-dayer from 15:00 til 22:00, the event promises live bands, records – and of course, vintage clothes.

 

14th April – Schwet: Shovel Dance Collective + more

Schwet are an experimental live events promoter and DJ crew with some serious prestige behind them – no wonder they’re throwing an event with the excellent Shovel Dance Collective. SDC are a folk 9-piece with an interest in the intersection of our musical heritage with queer, feminist and working-class history – their transcendent music invites the audience in, dissolving the barrier between artist and performer into a communal experience.

Supporting SDC are Chilean lo-fi trance quintet Glorias Navales and absurdist folk soloist Sholto Dobbie.

19th April – TURBOTALK!

Another birthday celebration – this time the tenth birthday of Turbo Island! No, not the Stokes Croft firepit, we’re pretty sure that has existed since the inception of time. No, this is celebrating the artist named for it!

A collab between colourful and cocky t-shirt artist Chris Wright (aka Turbo Island), and arty party starters The Dirtytalkers. Eighties dancefloor damagers, art rock – and an Italo Disco version of Eleanor Rigby?

 

21st April - Slaughterhaus: Surprise Party feat. Banksie

Seriously, what kind of creative power gets passed around in April? Another birthday bash, this time for drag cabaret all-stars Slaughterhaus, celebrating their 5th anniversary! Alongside some Slaughterhaus legends and some brand new fresh meat, this special show features Drag Race UK star Banksie!

26th April - DISCO ISN'T DEAD w/ Crazy P Soundsystem + SPICYIVY

One final birthday bash for the road, Disco Isn’t Dead is a classic Brew-style night. Party hats, limb-loosening disco deep cuts and a wild guest in the form of globe-straddling UK disco giants Crazy P!

 

That’s just a taste of what’s on at the Brew this April, with plenty more gold available to check out – which you can do via their website.

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Patrick Bate

Patrick is a filmmaker with so much Bristol in his blood the white blood cells are graffiti'd. Educated at the Northern Film School in Leeds, he’s returned home to be a Videographer and Reviewer for 365Bristol and BARBI. When he’s not messing about with cameras, he enjoys playing guitar, spending far too much time on tabletop RPGs, and being an awful snob about cider. Have a look at his work here, or get in touch at patrickb@365bristol.com.