Music / Simple Things Festival
In the Know: Tom Frost, Simple Things festival
Simple Things returns to Bristol for another 12 hours of immersive contemporary music culture.
The eleventh edition of the festival that spotlights cutting-edge sounds, genre-defying artists and music outside common definition takes place largely on November 8, though a series of feature concerts at Bristol Beacon and the Prospect Building take place in the week leading up to the main event.
Gigs occupying various venues including Strange Brew – a leading light in the sonically-defiant and alt-electronica scene – Rough Trade, the Sportsman, Lakota and the Love Inn have been programmed collaboratively by the Beacon, Team Love and Crack magazine.
is needed now More than ever
From a programme of over 50 artists Crack co-founder Tom Frost lays out his top ten gigs and spaces not to miss on the day.
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Nala Sinephro
“Belgian-born, London-raised Sinephro makes her Bristol debut. The highly acclaimed harp virtuoso and composer is celebrated for her innovative blend of avant-garde jazz, spiritual ambient, and modular synths.
“Both of her full-length releases via Warp, Space 1.8 and Endlessness, as well as her recent score for the new A24 film The Smashing Machine, have received critical acclaim. Her performance promises a deeply immersive experience of ethereal sound design and profound musical sensitivity.”
The Bug
“Legend of the scene and long-time friend of Simple Things returns to close out the main stage. The dub maverick, AKA Kevin Martin, is set to deliver a colossal set, amplified by a full MC roll-out featuring grime heavyweights Flowdan, Warrior Queen, Manga St Hilaire, Logan, and Magugu.
“Expect a masterclass in density and decibel that reaffirms Martin’s status as a foundational figure in British bass music, relentlessly committed to the raw, visceral edges of sound.”
The Cellars
“In the newly restored depths of the Beacon, PTS (Psychotherapy Sessions) will return to take over the Cellars, one of the venue’s most atmospheric and intimate spaces.
“This special curation by the formidable Bristol-based club collective brings a barrage of boundary-pushing, leftfield club music and bass.
“Heading up the lineup is Bristol dubstep and grime legend Joker who joins the takeover to deliver his signature ‘purple sound’ – an electrifying mix of highly polished melodic bass, G-funk and video game chip music.
“Rounding out the stage is experimental club maven aya, known for their deconstructionist, high-concept sets that subvert expectation with dizzying sonic collages and the occasional spoken-word interruption.”
Florence Sinclair
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“Hotly tipped, the enigmatic producer and singer-songwriter will join us for a rare live set, offering a deeply personal and vulnerable journey into their world. Known for fusing the haunted echoes of early grime and hip-hop with dreamy, cinematic ambient music and intimate chamber pop, Sinclair’s performances create a beautifully unsettling tapestry of sound.
“It’s a must-see moment that offers a compelling, hyper-personal exploration of Black British culture and history, promising to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Don’t miss this one.”
The Bristol Megascreen
“Simple Things continues its legacy of ambitious curatorial coups by activating the monumental Megascreen (formally IMAX). Alongside some of the musical programme, the venue will present TAKKUUK, the stunning audio-visual film on the Arctic crisis, featuring a powerful score from global electronic innovators BICEP.
“This is more than a screening but an unforgettable, large-scale sensory collision of world-class music and breathtaking visuals, transforming the cinema into a cultural experience.”
Upchuck
Atlanta punk firebrands Upchuck – photo: Michael Tyrone Delaney
“Straight from the DIY heart of Atlanta, punk outfit Upchuck guarantees one of the festival’s most incendiary and socially charged performances.
“Led by the powerhouse vocalist KT the band’s sound is a glorious, garage-punk collision that channels raw frustration into pure velocity. Expect a cathartic and utterly essential torrent of ferocious energy that speaks directly to a generation tired of systemic injustice.”
Steve Davis
“Showcasing its commitment to the genuinely unexpected, the festival has invited a special curation from the six-time World Snooker Champion, analogue synth enthusiast and Bristol resident.
“Davis will personally host a curated lineup featuring leftfield innovators like Graham Dunning & Strictly Kev (AKA DJ Food), jb glazer and Sculpture.
“This showcase is topped off by a rare DJ set from Davis himself alongside good friend, Stunty, on the Beacon’s terrace, blending progressive rock, krautrock, and esoteric electronica to kick off the festival.”
Lovers Skit
“Boundary-smashers Lover’s Skit descend upon Simple Things ready to unleash a chaotic, stylish, and energetic live show. Hailing from Stockholm via the London underground, Nathalia Aránguiz and Ove Jerndal fuse the energy of hardcore punk and 90s breakbeat with musica urbana rhythms and electro-pop.
“Following their latest EP All Rights Reserved the duo’s set assures an unfiltered, party-starting blend of defiant lyrics and glitchy electronics – a mandatory act for anyone seeking some fun.”
Rich(ard) Dawson
“Dawson brings his singular musical universe to the main stage on Saturday afternoon. An acclaimed figure often labelled a freak-folk visionary, his performance style is a spellbinding combination of primal, angular guitar work and a distinctive, soaring vocal delivery.
“His songs – rich with vivid, hyper-detailed storytelling – are not just music, but deeply empathetic character studies that turn the ordinary struggles of modern and historical life into profound narratives. Both brutally honest and magically transportive.”
Joshua Idehen
“The Bridgehouse stage within the Beacon’s foyer is a hot spot for festival moments. No one could be more built for this space than the immensely compelling spoken word artist Joshua Idehen.
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“His sets seamlessly fuses lyrical prowess with contemporary club sounds. The acclaimed writer’s performance is a masterful blend of poetry set against a backdrop of house-inflected electronic beats and vibrant, cathartic rhythms, carried by his energy.
“This set is a must-see, offering a uniquely euphoric experience where introspective honesty meets the irresistible pulse of the dancefloor.”
Find all the details at simplethingsfestival.co.uk
Main image: Guilia Spadafora
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