News / Drum & Bass on the Bike
Revelry and crowded streets as Drum & Bass on the Bike returns to Bristol
Jubilant crowds filled the streets of Bristol on Sunday as Drum & Bass on the Bike returned to the city.
The wildly popular live DJ set was played from a moving bicycle by founder Dom Whiting and accompanied by large swathes of partying cyclists.
Hundreds of riders and hundreds more onlookers packed the five-mile route, from the kick-off at Lloyds Ampitheatre to Park Street, Stokes Croft and Castle Park.
Friends David and Jason brought their electric unicycles to the event – photo: Molly Pipe
Some drivers stuck at green lights vented their frustration with their horns but the feeling from anyone not sat inside a metal vehicle was one of jubilation.
Flares poured colourful smoke into the sky and sound system-fitted bikes amplified the DJ set far and wide.
The huge crowds stranded cars across the city – photo: Molly Pipe
A further crowd gathered expectantly at the foot of Park Street, waiting to see the iconic sight of the bikes coming down the hill.
It was also greeted with displays of acrobatics, physical prowess and perhaps a touch of foolhardiness from an off-shoot group that used Park Street as its own performance stage.
Ahead of the main pack, these riders showed off tricks, wheelies and turns of speed as they pelted up and down the street on bikes and rollerskates.
Not everyone was fussed about the event – photo: Molly Pipe
Drum & Bass on the Bike was started in 2021 by Whiting and has grown to be an international success, touring Barcelona, Berlin, Adelaide and more.
The success has been growing steadily, with supporter Chloe Thomas saying: “We saw the first one (in Bristol) when it was like ten people.”
“Now it’s like thousands,” added her husband Dave.
Woody and his partner travelled down from Birmingham to capture the atmosphere – photo: Molly Pipe
For attendee Woody, who travelled down from Birmingham with his partner, this was an opportunity too good to miss.
“I’ve been wanting to go to D&B on a bike for ages and my missus said it’s now or never,” he said. “So we got a babysitter and I put this bike in my car. My mate made it for me and I wanted to show it off to everyone.”
From Woody’s Pokemon-themed cycle, to electric unicycles, high-ride bikes and flashy clothes, it seemed everyone had brought their best to this party.
Main photo: Molly Pipe
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
