Smile for the camera! The best snaps from Bristol Sounds 2024

Smile for the camera! The best snaps from Bristol Sounds 2024

Posted on: 02 Jul 2024

Bristol's annual harbourside extravaganza has finished for another year following six days of exhilarating outdoor concerts.

 

Once more proving an earth-shattering event series, thousands of Bristolians flocked to Bristol's iconic harbourside over the past week to catch some of music's biggest names, from alt-rock legends Placebo to X-Factor winning pop megastar James Arthur, Welsh reggae metal outfit Skindred to dancefloor anthems with Annie Mac's 'Before Midnight' and much more besides.

 

Browse our round-up of the very best pictures from these exciting events below...

 

Skindred

 

Proceedings were kicked off last Saturday with a raucous headline set from Welsh metal band Skindred, wowing the Bristol audience with their unique fusion of reggae rhythms with chugging nu-metal riffs.

The perfect high-energy opener for the iconic concert series, headliners Skindred were joined by such illustrious names as 90s rockers Reef, and MMA fighter Kris Barras' band amongst others (Images: Nadine Ballantyne).

Sunday Soundclash: Gentleman's Dub Club & The Skints

 

Last Sunday's all-dayer was co-headlined by Leeds-based reggae/electronic band, Gentleman's Dub Club, known for their infectious energy and ability to keep the spirit of dub and ska alive.

Joining them was The Skints, bringing reggae, ska, punk and hip-hop to Bristol Amphitheatre, alongside such names as The Duelers and Dreadzone.

James Arthur

 

Next up it was time for some pop bangers with X-Factor winner and mainstream megastar, James Arthur, wowing the crowd with such hits as 'Say You Won't Let Me Go' and 'Can I Be Him'.

Pulling in fans from all over Bristol and beyond, Arthur did not disappoint with a set filled to the brim with bangers under the harbourside sun. Support came from young Scottish singer-songwriter Calum Bowie (Images: Nadine Ballantyne).

Busted

 

Thursday night saw the grand return of one of the UK's best-loved boybands to Bristol as the pop-punk trio took to the Bristol Sounds stage for a rip-roaring set that featured high-flying hits including 'Year 3000', 'Crashed The Wedding' and 'What I Go To School For'.

Impossible though it may seem, it's been over twenty years since Busted burst onto the scene, however, the Essex natives have lost none of their famous energy and are a regular fixture of music venues and festivals up and down the country (Images: Nadine Ballantyne).

Placebo

 

The Friday night spectacular saw a spectacular headline set from alt-rock heavyweights Placebo, who drew a sell-out crowd from their fervent cult thanks to their blend of glam-goth aesthetics and dark approach to rock.

Perfectly living up to lofty expectations, Placebo wowed their audience with a blend of back catalogue classics and newer releases - as well as a cover of Kate Bush's mainstay hit, 'Running Up That Hill' (Images: Nadine Ballantyne).

Annie Mac: Before Midnight

 

Next up was an all-day dance music extravaganza from none other than legendary BBC Radio disc jockey Annie Mac, a key music industry figure championing female and LGBTQ+ artists and advocating for positive, inclusive change.

Her 'Before Midnight' all-dayer (which featured support from Scarlett O'Malley and Melle Brown) truly displayed what Annie is all about, a class act who regularly plays the biggest stages of music festivals around the UK and the world (Images: Nadine Ballantyne).

The Breeders

 

Then, just like that, it was time for the final day of live music courtesy of Bristol Sounds, headlined by much-loved early-90s alternative rockers The Breeders, bringing their volatile mix of hooky pop and experimental tangents to Bristol Amphitheatre - fresh from an acclaimed set at Glastonbury!

Proceeding the main event was a whole host of exciting music talent - including garage rock superstar Ty Segall, São Paulo rock outfit CSS, buzz band Mary in the Junkyard, London singer-songwriter Sam Akpro and alt-folk artist PEM - as well as some astonishing Euros-related drama! (Images: Nadine Ballantyne)

Now we've just got to wait until next year!

Main image: Nadine Ballantyne

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.