Bristol Live Music Highlights - July 2019
Posted on: 01 Jul 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. Some huge names are set to grace Bristol stages in July, with none other than Tom Jones performing at the County Ground, New Order and The Specials ready to open this year's Harbour Festival with their respective gigs on the 18th & 19th and, weirdly, '24' star Kiefer Sutherland booked in to headline SWX. Find all the info below.
Tom Jones @ The County Ground, Saturday 13th July
World-renowned singer Tom Jones is probably the biggest act on Bristol's musical calender in July. Having emerged as a vocalist in the mid 1960s, Jones has since grown into one of the biggest artists the UK has ever produced, selling over 100 million records worldwide and earning an array of awards, an OBE and, in 2006, a knighthood for his services to music. Set to feature all of his best-loved hits like 'It's Not Unusual', 'What's New Pussycat' and 'She's A Lady', Jones' gig at The County Ground this month is an absolute must-see.
Federico Leonori Trio @ Leftbank, Saturday 13th July
Leftbank is one of the city's favourite live jazz spots, and it's easy to see why when they put together nights like this one. Made up of Guy Shotton on piano, Federico Leonori on double bass and Andy Tween on drums, the Federico Leonori Trio will be bringing their upbeat jazz sound to the Stokes Croft bar on 13th July, and factoring in the FREE entry all night and £2.50 drinks throughout the 8pm-9pm happy hour, we doubt there'll be many better places to spend a Saturday night in central Bristol than this.
Waldo's Gift Reworks: Bjork @ The Gallimaufry, Wednesday 17th July
Made up of acclaimed Cousin Kula drummer James Vine, Route2Roots bassist Harry Stoneham and Alun Elliott-Williams on guitar, Waldo's Gift have made a name for themselves with weekly performances at The Gallimaufry on Gloucester Road. The group's Rework nights continue to gain attention from music fans all over the city, so get down early to avoid the queue as they prepare to reimagine the sound of one of the world's most unique and universally-respected artists, Bjork.
New Order @ Lloyd's Amphitheatre, Thursday 18th July SOLD OUT
Enigmatic synth pioneers New Order will be taking over Lloyd's Amphitheatre this month to mark the start of the 2019 Harbour Festival, 37 years after they first performed in Bristol following the release of their acclaimed debut album, Movement. Formed by members of Joy Division following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band became the defining sound of a generation through unforgettable tracks like 'Blue Monday', 'True Faith' and, of course, the timeless Italia '90 hit 'World In Motion' (although we doubt they'll be playing the latter in this one). Tickets for their Lloyds Amphitheatre gig are unfortunately sold out, but keep your eyes peeled for any going spare - you don't want to miss this.
The Specials @ Lloyd's Amphitheatre, Friday 19th July
The Specials are celebrating 40 years since their infectious mix of danceable ska and punk attitudes captured the nation with a focussed and informed political message. Having enjoyed widespread success throughout their illustrious career, the band announced a huge 2019 tour to coincide with their anniversary celebrations and will be releasing a brand-new album, Encore, out on Friday 1st February alongside tickets for their Bristol gig. Taking place on the first day of this year's Harbour Festival, this one sold out pretty quickly - no surprise given the band's immense popularity in Bristol.
Kiefer Sutherland @ SWX, Monday 22nd July
Here's one we never expected to be writing - Kiefer Sutherland, best known as no-nonsense action hero Jack Bauer in hit show 24, will be performing a stripped-back live set at SWX this month. He's been writing, recording and performing his own music since the mid-2010s, releasing two full-length studio albums - his debut, Down In A Hole, in 2016, and Reckless & Me earlier this year - to widespread critical acclaim. Sutherland's unique take on contemporary country music has been described as "genuinely poignant" by The Guardian and praised by Rolling Stone for blending "edgy vocals with real passion", and you can catch him in Bristol this month as part of his extensive 2019 UK tour.
Sugarhill Gang and The Furious Five @ The Fleece, Sunday 28th July
Added as a second date after the quick sell-out of the first gig on Thursday 11th, Sugarhill Gang and The Furious Five will be bringing their timeless hip-hop sound to The Fleece for a musical masterclass. Expect a block party atmosphere and huge tracks like 'White Lines', 'Rapper's Delight', 'The Message' and many more as two New York titans come together for an unforgettable celebration of the original hip-hop sound.
For more information on any of the above shows, or to see ticketing information and updates, follow the links in the headings to the respective events. Ticket availability is correct at the time of writing, but is subject to change.
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.
