Before they soared back with the sky-scraping, heart-filling, life-giving kaleidoscopic wonder that is their fourth album, Dig The Mountain! – Stornoway did not exist. Formed in Oxford in 2005, the decade that followed saw the beloved, nature-celebrating band enjoy a slew of critically acclaimed releases, international tours and various memorable festival appearances.
Once the dust had settled, the band decided it was time to tune back into the natural landscape – allowing the project to become dormant after an extended run of farewell shows that concluded in 2017. Though the project had been laid to rest, and its various members now turning to new ventures, singer and guitarist Brian Briggs, keyboard player Jon Ouin and bassist Oli Steadman kept in touch, nourished by a friendship and musical kinship born out of their time together in Stornoway.
In 2020, when the world stopped, something stirred. Alone in his makeshift studio on a coastal hilltop, Briggs found himself inspired by the emptiness of the wilderness that surrounded him, as well as an insatiable desire to write music without the external pressures of a label or touring schedules – culminating in a series of collaborative songs written with his former bandmates that would eventually become new Stornoway material. The result is an immersive collection of songs that are both buoyant and windswept – occupying a liminal space between sea and land.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Unreserved standing show
Age: 14+ (Under 18s to be accompanied by an adult)
Doors: 19.00
Finish: 23.00
Ticket price includes £1.50 restoration levy for O2 Academy Bristol
“One of the most creative [bands] around, lifting samples from birdsongs [and] creating sounds from all manner of items and instruments, ensuring the listener’s heartstrings are well and truly tugged.”
Thank Folk For That
Support from
Yijia
Yijia Tu is a Chinese zither (Guzheng) player, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music industry professional based in the UK. She was a finalist on the show 5M viewership show ‘Sing My Song’ and has won the CMA (Chinese Music Awards). Yijia has also been featured on BBC Radio 3, One Voice documentary, WOMAD and Victorious Festival, studied Music at SOAS and the University of Oxford and has a ‘Global Talent’ endorsement from the Arts Council UK.
Through exploring her cultural identity in music, Yijia is committed to diversifying the UK music scene and bridging the Chinese and UK music scenes through her multidisciplinary works.
The venue
O2 Academy Bristol
Getting to the venue
Location: O2 Academy is a 300m walk from The Centre and opposite The Hatchet Inn behind Bristol Beacon.
Address: Frogmore St, Bristol BS1 5NA
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found directly opposite the venue and at the bottom of Park street. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
The nearest multi-storey car park is Trenchard Street multi-storey car park, 183m from the venue.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
O2 Academy Bristol is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
College Green bus stops are 146m from the venue, with services to and from the city centre.
Access
Mobility
O2 Academy Bristol has step-free level access into the venue and a ramp into the auditorium, with a dedicated accessible viewing area to the right of the stage.
Toilets
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
Assistance Dogs
Registered assistance dogs are allowed in the venue and auditorium.
Hearing Facility
There is no induction loop facility at this venue.
Join our access register to help us, help you to have an enjoyable visit.
