Recapping Bristol New Music 2024

Last month saw the highly-anticipated return of pioneering contemporary music festival Bristol New Music, which brings forward-thinking talent from across the globe to Bristol for four days of immersive performances, experimentation and collaboration across a number of venues including our transformed spaces.

Thu 25 Apr

The milestone fifth edition of the festival began with phenomenal Bristol-based producer, performer and all-round sonic-alchemist Sarahsson with a captivating and poignant performance at The Mount Without followed by an ethereal triple-bill in Lantern Hall featuring Elaine Mitchener with bassist Neil Charles, Jules Reidy and Lonnie Holley.

Fri 26 Apr

Bristol Beacon was immersed in a sea of bit-crushed synthesisers and throbbing drum machines. We brought together the combined efforts of experimental electronic music titans Klein, Aho Ssan and ‘Penumbra’ at Lantern Hall before giving way to an infectious, bass-driven industrial dance party at Beacon Hall courtesy of experimental US producer Jlin and Japanese audio-visual mastermind Ryoji Ikeda.

Sat 27 Apr

The festival ventures further out into the city. Trailblazing producer NikNak at Dareshack, a transformation of Lantern Hall thanks to the combined ambient visuals and haunting vocal proficiency of Keeley Forsyth’s ‘The Hollow’ and a rhythmic assault of the senses at Strange Brew courtesy of a relentless three-hour dub set from The Bug.

Sun 28 Apr

Highlights from the final day of the festival included audiovisual artist Kathy Hinde’s poignant and experimental ‘Earthquake Mass Reimagined’, the long-awaited return of leading ensemble Quatuor Bozzini following a ten year hiatus and an encapsulating closer to the festival at Strange Brew headlined by experimental jazz-inspired quartet أحمد [Ahmed].

BNM in its tenth year was one of the most special yet in my opinion. The sheer depth and diversity of the artists on stage this year really encapsulated what the festival is about.

From the cosmic blues of Lonnie Holley on the Thursday night straight through to the stomping free improv of Ahmed headlining on the Sunday at Strange Brew it was the sort of eclectic mix that BNM has become known for.

Equally as important to the festival of course, are the audiences that come and support the artists throughout the weekend. We are lucky in Bristol to have such dedicated and adventurous gig-goers without whom the festival could not happen. ”

Todd Wills, Artistic Director