Spring Programme at Bristol's Colston Hall
Posted on: 16 Feb 2017Colston Hall has played host to many of Bristol’s most memorable musical moments and aims to continue to do so with the announcement of a stellar set of bookings for spring 2017.
The coming of spring promises new life, shorter nights and, more importantly, the reinvigoration of the musical calendar. Colston Hall, Bristol’s grandest venue, has unveiled their programme for the coming months which sees it welcome some seriously impressive musicians. Read on for our five favourites.
De La Soul - 24.02
Everybody knows that three is the magic number and together the triple threat of Posdnous, Dave and Maseo make De La Soul, hip hop’s holy trinity who have been celebrated as such since the release of 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989. Though the years since have seen the trio mature sonically, though absurdist humour of their debut still remains at the fore-front of their music - even on last year’s and the Anonymous Nobody…, which this tour date comes in support of.
Lack of Afro - 03.03
Lack of Afro is the creation of producer Adam Gibbons, who uses the project as a vehicle for some of the sunniest funk and soul music that has seen the light in recent times. Borrowing vocals from the likes of Joss Stone and Juliette Ashby on latest record Hello Baby, the album was voted one of 6 Music’s favourite albums of 2016 and received generous spinning from their resident scouser Craig Charles. See what the funk everyone is talking about when Mr Gibbons arrives at The Lantern at the start of next month.
Laura Marling - 09.03
Laura Marling’s natural storytelling ability has rendered her one of the purest song-writers that this country has ever produced. Having produced five accomplished records over the last decade, it is easy to forget that she is only 27; especially when the breadth of emotion which she nimbly applies to each of them betrays a well of experience that is deep beyond its years. This tour heralds a forthcoming sixth album Semper Femina, which, according to her form, is likely to be another very special piece of music.
David Rodigan - 11.03
Name a more incongruous-looking reggae aficionado … I’ll wait. David Rodigan MBE is the 65 year old jammer who is equally at home in Jamaica as he is in his native Putney, and is now the authority on dancehall, reggae and dub, and the UK’s musical ambassador to the land of wood and water. This audience at Colston Hall arrives in conjunction with the mogul’s memoir, and will see him in conversation with Massive Attack’s Daddy G. The Lantern will then host a DJ from the man himself.
Macy Gray - 19.03
I tried to write this preview without referencing one of Macy Gray’s classic hits - but I crumbled. Ms Gray is in possession of one of the most distinctive voices to have emerged in the new millennium, with her signature rasp enticing ears alongside Erykah Badu and the other prominent figures in the neo-soul revival. More recently she has collaborated with artists like Ariana Grande in the run-up to the release of her latest album Stripped, which has seen her work with a world-beating jazz ensemble to create pared-down versions of her classic songs. She will perform these at Colston Hall as part of the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival.
For more information or to buy tickets on any of these shows, go to Colston Hall's website.