Music / News

Batala bonanza in Bristol

By Martin Booth  Monday Apr 7, 2025

Batala bands from across the UK came together in Bristol for a joint performance.

The sound of drums echoed across the harbour as the combined sound of nine bands entertained crowds on the Lloyds Amphitheatre as part of Anglophones, the annual meeting of batala bands based in the UK.

Batala is a form of Brazilian samba drum music which originated in North Eastern Brazil, with the first batala band formed by Giba Gonçalves in Paris in 1997.

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Bands had travelled to Bristol from as far as Lancaster for the weekend, with the main performance on Sunday afternoon.

The event was organised by Batala Bristol, “an inclusive, creative and fun community of people who come together to share the infectious vibe of samba-reggae with as many people as we can”.

Main photo & video: Martin Booth

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