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Beacon

A New Song for Bristol

A celebration of Bristol’s creativity through the coronavirus pandemic.

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Launched in 2020, A New Song for Bristol is a project that called on the public to covey their experiences of living in Bristol during the coronavirus pandemic through words and music.

After receiving hundreds of entries from Bristolians of all ages, communities, and backgrounds, we transformed these stories into new musical commissions, collaborative musical projects, and a 42ft visual artwork installed onto the outside of Bristol Beacon.

Explore the public submissions

Explore the public submissions

Read, watch and listen to the creative responses we received from Bristolians. Explore the poems, songs, letters and compositions all describing personal experiences of life during the coronavirus pandemic.

Visit microsite

Mural artwork by Parys Gardener

View 21 images

Mural artwork by Parys Gardener

View 21 images

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Sun illuminates A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A man wearing a baseball cap fixes a poster to a glass window
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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Cartoon illustrated artwork installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon.
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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Cartoon illustrated artwork installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon.
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A young woman with dark hear wearing a dark coat and red lipstick, artist Parys Gardener, stands in front of A New Song for Bristol mural.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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Cartoon illustrated artwork installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon.
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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Cartoon illustrated artwork installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon.
A New Song for Bristol mural by Parys Gardener. Photography by Colin Moody.
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Cartoon illustrated artwork installed onto the glass front of Bristol Beacon.
'Parys Gardener's mural lights up for the first time' 📸 Photography by Colin Moody.
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A woman wearing a highly patterned dress with dark hear smiles and sings next to a trombone player on the stairs of Bristol Beacon foyer
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A trombone player performs on the stairs of Bristol Beacon foyer.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A woman with dark straight hear and a floral dress addresses a celebration event into a microphone.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A man wearing a dark jacked looks thoughtful in front of a display of public artwork
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A woman wearing dark clothing stands on a stage lit by green light ready to perform a poem in front of a microphone.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A couple wearing dark clothing sit reclined looking thoughtful.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A musician sits at a keyboard smiling as they introduce a song
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A man with grey hair and glasses wearing a cream knitted jumper stands on a stage performing poetry.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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An older woman with glasses sits next to a younger woman both applauding and looking thoughtful.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A hand written letter hung with a peg from a string lit with green light.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A hand written letter and illustration hung with a peg from a string lit with green light.
A New Song for Bristol celebration event. Photography by Colin Moody.
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A New Song For Bristol artwork unveiled
A young woman with dark hear wearing a dark coat and red lipstick, artist Parys Gardener, stands in front of A New Song for Bristol mural.

A New Song For Bristol artwork unveiled

Read more about the mural created by Parys Gardener and the final artistic expression of our landmark A New Song For Bristol project.

Read more

Watch commissioned songs

This project has brought about collaborations with a diverse range of Bristol artists and collectives, including Kayla Painter and KALA CHNG, This is the Kit and Bucky, Lady Nade, Javeon, Grove, and composer, musician and associate director of Paraorchestra, Lloyd Coleman.

Make space for music

As a music charity, we’re here to help make space every day, with everyone, with you!

Alongside our programme of incredible live music, we work with young people, emerging artists, and communities to make musical experiences that change lives.

Because when we make space for music, we make space for amazing moments that last a lifetime.

Find out more

Project supporters and funders

The project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians, as well as the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

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