Reviews / Reviews
Review: Jam on the Horizon – ‘A tapestry of rhythm and sound’
With the addition of two new block parties at Lost Horizon and outside the Jam Jar, the street party elements of Bristol’s premier global music celebrations came out in force for the summer weather.
In its third year Jam on the Horizon, the St Jude’s festival of global music and culture, added two new block parties to its lineup, one at Lost Horizon and one outside Jam Jar – photo: Hubble
The day kicked off at 2pm with music at Lost Horizon and outside with 1relation sound system, Jam Jar and outside in Little Anne Street with An Experience, and the Volunteer Tavern, while DJs played at the Swan with Two Necks later in the evening – photo: Hubble
The sun was out and vibes high as St Jude’s came alive with the first festival of the season – photo: Hubble
During the day, Lost Horizon played host to Void Resident: Amelie, Loose Sound DJs, Drifty and My Analog Journal DJs – photo: Hubble
Inside at Jam Jar Close Counter featuring Alyssha Joy followed Kate Novo who kicked off proceedings at 2pm – photo: Hubble
Close Counters got the crowd going with their blend of house, neo-soul and broken beat – photo: Hubble
Among the inferno of smells wafting from the many street food vendors outside, it was clear from the top that Jam on the Horizon was a christening of the festival season to come.
Award winning street food was on offer outside Jam Jar, including Sri Lankan, Caribbean and south American flavours – photo: Hubble
An Experience presented the Jammin in the Street block party headed up by DJ Kesh playing soul, ska, rocksteady and old school R&B – photo: Hubble
As he promised, Kesh brought the “lush community street party vibes” to St Jude’s – photo: Hubble
The day parties were a precursor to an evening lineup that included live samba, Afro-Cuban Rumba and Sudanese Psych-Funk – photo: Hubble
Brakery took over the Volunteer during the day, in collaboration with Void Radio – the station broadcasting out of the Attic bar – featuring Sophia Harari, Soulbee and Dom R – photo: Hubble
Despite a total runtime of 14 hours, the many performers, musicians and DJs on display were yet to tire by 9pm, the time the evening proceedings kicked off at the Jam Jar.
is needed now More than ever
Holly Lush opened things with an eclectic selection of Samba, Reggae, and Dancehall.
The soft crackle of tunes ripped straight from vinyl that filled the room began to lift spirits, as a wandering balloon was passed around the crowds’ raised arms.
A live band took the stage as Lush’s set reached a close. Preparing their repertoire of drums and percussion instruments, Bristol Sambistas were next up.
To the metronome of the lead player’s whistle, they conjured a rhythmic whirlwind at the behest of a 13-person strong contingent of local volunteers.
For a group of such a large size – and with so much energy behind their performance – each of the musicians spoke to the community-focussed mission of the day festival that had been so clearly achieved.
The fact they were met only by the crowd’s reciprocal smiles, cheers, and an ever-floating selection of balloons and party streamers only cemented the success and clear public approval of the day’s objective.
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This was a fact that became even more evident at Lost Horizon, which was hosting a series of DJ sets from its now packed warehouse.
A bassier and more intense side to the Jam Jar’s counterpart that was only a two minute walk away contributed to the overall variety on offer, whether that was the food, drink, music or passers-by sharing their love for the festivities.
Despite a brief altercation with the venue’s famous Arbour vending machine, the mood was high until the wee hours, and each person in attendance had a favourite moment from the day that they were readily sharing with each other.
Some had been here since kickoff at 2pm. Others had only just arrived and were planning on staying put until 3am when Terrain, Charlie Stoic and Jonesy Wales were closing off the night with a back to back triage of bass-heavy belters.
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Ending with a concluding pint in the Swan with Two Necks, even the small pub that was paired with the event had an entourage of soothing reggae and dub selections to bring the night to a languid close.
As the needle was gently lifted and the final dubplate put back in its sleeve, the experience ended in a touchstone for all that Bristol’s music scene has to offer.
Jam on the Horizon was a tapestry of rhythm and sound condensed into a single day, which bore all its individual parts in respective glory.
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