Music / Reviews
Review: Bristol Urban Wassail, The Exchange – ‘A twist on traditions’
My parents ran a cider pub in the West Country for many years so I have been to my fair share of wassails.
And if the term “wassail” makes you think of dewy fields, makeshift percussion instruments and soggy bread… think again!
Headliners Skimmity Hitchers played songs about the West Country, in a fusion style that combined punk and folk, at the Bristol Urban Wassail
Traditionally, wassailing is a ceremony where a community gathers in an orchard to bless the apple trees for a successful harvest.
The term ‘wassail’ comes from an Old English phrase that means good health.
This year, Bristol Urban Wassail – promoted by Fuelled by Cider – organised a wassail with a twist, with live music and a “Wassail Play” at The Exchange.
That may sound quite far from a traditional wassail, but this event had the key ingredients – music, DIY costumes, cider, apples and even an apple tree of sorts…well, a person dressed like an apple tree, who had bits of bread stuck into their hat.
As well as a person in a badger costume running around the dance floor “doing the badger dance”.
And the “Wassail Play” consisting of more costumes and heavy audience participation.
The crowd enjoyed dancing to Skimmity Hitchers and singing along to songs about cider
A person, dressed as an apple tree, invited members of the crowd to press bread onto their hat
A mix of music from cider fanatics The Shinkickers, cider-punk group the Surfin Turnips’ and a DJ called Buttercup Joe set the tone.
The final act of the evening was The Skimmity Hitchers, whose hits include Us Dorset Boys and Gurt Lush Cider Mountain, whose set was full of banter and passion for the West Country.
A member of the crowd dressed as a badger did a “badger dance” at the front of the stage
A range of ciders were available, including a still cider served from the box at room temperature.
This was a sight I was happy to see, as when cider is served from a box that is when it is at its best.
This event was nothing like you would find in the countryside, however it captured the community spirit of a wassail – which is the most important part.
To keep traditions alive, they need to evolve and change to match the needs of the community.
Bristol Urban Wassail have definitely achieved that.
All photos: David Jeffery-Hughes Photography
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