Homegrown talent with a global twist: Shindig turns 11

This year, Shindig’s soundscape is broader, bolder, and bursting with energy, fusing festival favourites with fearless new talent to create a weekend of full-spectrum musical exploration.

Bristol bands have joined the lineup in droves, representing the city at the festival which has made a surprise comeback in a new location for its 11th year.

Based for the first time at Charlton Park, the usual home of WOMAD which is taking a breather this year, and with Bristol promoter Stu Matson joining the team, Shindig has embraced the site’s world flavours to offer a global twist to the usual mix of soul, hip hop and electronic music.

Here’s a list of ten acts and experiences not to miss at the festival.

 

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1. At the Dig Inn, the heart of the action, live music takes centre stage with a genre-defying lineup that runs into the early hours.

From Ibibio Sound Machine and the revolutionary spirit of Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, to the explosive presence of Dub FX and the Queen of “future ghetto funk” Moonchild Sanelly.

2.  Heavyweight rhythms of Gentlemen’s Dub Club, the deep dub pulse of Asian Dub Foundation, and a rare live set from Romare, we’re breaking rules and blurring boundaries at every opportunity.

Expect the unexpected at Shindig this year… photo: Boomstudio

3. Global rhythms vibe through the site – Afrobeat, cumbia, carnival, and tropical bass pouring from every corner.

Acts like TC & The Groove Family, Raz & Afla and Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy bring live, high-energy fusion, while selectors like CoCo María, Poly-Ritmo and the sunshine-fuelled Tropical Tea Party takeover keep hips swaying from day to night.

Tropical Tea Party will bring a host of Bristol DJs and selectors including Ru Robinson (pictured), Hiphoppapotamus, Waggles and Matuki – photo: Tropical Tea Party

4. The most eclectic venue on site, Nautylicious is a home for bold, genre-fluid performances.

It’s where the hypnotic loops of the Flamenco Thief meet the jazz-infused hip-hop of Suedejazz Collective and the country-folk of Ella Ray.

Later, Angry Black Men, Toya Delazy, GROVE and K.O.G. deliver high-octane sets to ignite the crowds. It’s unexpected, electric and unmistakably Shindig.

Both KOG and GROVE (above) are Bristol artists well known for their incendiary live shows – photo: Khali Ackford

5. Luke Una, Artwork, and DJ Paulette deliver deep soul, cosmic grooves and house rhythms built for the dancefloor, while the legendary Gilles Peterson connects the dots between jazz, broken beat and global sounds.

Then comes the Reflex with razor-edged edits, and an oldskool rave takeover from Altern 8, celebrating 30 years at the heart of the scene – a soundtrack made for moonlit dancing.

 

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6. Two fresh new venues, Halcyon and the Sub Bus, host wall-shaking sets from Breakage, Krafty Kuts, A.Skillz, JFB, Freestylers and the legendary Leeroy Thornhill – packing low-end pressure, party energy, and pure dancefloor chaos.

And watch out for special takeovers from some of Shindig’s favourite crews and labels, including Born On Road, Minirig, and Finger Lickin’ Records, to name just a few!

7 Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy: After their life-affirming set at Glastonbury’s West Holts stage, the vibrant Frafra gospel group from Ghana will kickstart the afternoon with pure joy. Trust us – you won’t want to miss it.

Also checkout: Agbeko, Matuki and TC & The Groove Family.

Ten-piece Leeds-based TC and the Groove Family are on Bristol agency Diplomats of Sound – photo: TC and the Groove Family

8 Angry Blackmen: Chicago’s industrial rap duo throw down glitchy, industrial rap that’s heavier than our usual fare – and we’re here for it! We were hooked after seeing the chaos of their live shows.

Also checkout: GROVE, Binbag Wisdom and the Scribes

9 Nathan Worm Presents: Feel Good: Authentic liquid DnB is back! A carefully curated vinyl set of soulful, jazz-infused rollers and golden-era classics from Bristol’s finest eclectic promoter, with Worm Disco, and DJ.

Inspired by the 2000–2010 heyday and Fabio’s legendary Radio 1 sessions, this will be pure Feel Good vibes.

Also checkout: OKO, Gardna x APH and Breakage.

 

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10  Moonchild Sanelly: A new favourite at Shindig HQ, the Queen of “future ghetto funk” delivers infectious energy and an explosive live show, fresh from headlining Shambala 2024.

With collaborations with Gorillaz, Beyoncé, Ezra Collective, and Self Esteem, if you didn’t know her before – you will do now!

Shindig takes place at Charlton Park over May 22-25. For more information visit shindigfestival.co.uk

Main image: Boomstudio

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