NEWS: Bristol Beacon's eclectic line up of gigs kick off 2023
Bristol Beacon has announced a stellar line up of live music and gigs at the best venues in the city this January and February. Expect jazz, classical, folk, rock, pop and more from the likes of Native Harrow, Kerala Dust and Federico Albanese.
Words: Azélie Bourassa
Kickstarting the year is jazz trio, Freight Train, who are touring across the country and hitting up Bristol Beacon on Saturday 14 January. Formed during the pandemic over Zoom and based on an idea from percussion maestro, Paul Clarvis, and a commission by West Midlands Jazz – what came out of those online sessions is a totally fun and engaging set of tunes.
One of the finest singers and pianists on the scene, Liane Carroll will be bringing The Tonic Sessions to Bristol on 19 January. The first artist to win two BBC Jazz Awards in the same year, Carroll is a world-class performer and her blues-tinged voices accompanied with powerful piano playing and infectious material – not to mention a wicked sense of humour – this will be just the post-Christmas tonic you need.
Liane Caroll. Image: Bristol Beacon
Set in the beautiful interiors of St. George’s Bristol, an unmissable performance awaits featuring the ongoing collaborations between Iranian artist Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan. Drawing on the folk and classical heritage of their homeland, their pair fuse the respective traditions of Persia and Ottoman Turkey with their vibrant virtuosic explorations of Middle Eastern classical instrumentation which creates striking and trance-like arrangements.
Erdal Erzincan and Kayhan Kalhor. Image: Bristol Beacon
Contemporary-classical compositions will be filling up the Bristol Beacon as Federico Albanese brings his avant-pop and electronica sounds to the Foyer. The multi-instrumentalist work employs a wide range of sounds including tape processing, synthesisers, melodica and electric guitar – making this a modern-classical performance not to be missed.
Federico Albanese. Image: Bristol Beacon
Norwegian musician Siv Jakobsen with her delicate vocals, poignancy and finger-picked guitar playing will be bringing a breathtaking performance to The Louisiana on Wednesday 8 February. Jakobsen’s gracefully haunting ambient folk will hear soaring strings, striking harp and brass arrangements.
Siv Jakobsen. Image: Bristol Beacon
With rich and shimmering psych-folk, introspective lyrical wit and sophisticated 60s homage – Brighton based duo, Native Harrow, is showcasing their talents at The Crofters Rights. After making the move from Pennsylvania to the seagull-centric seaside, the classy folk-rock duo have since shared ‘Old Kind of Magic’ – an enchanted collection of songs that reprises 60’s sounds and sensibilities in a delightfully original way.
Native Harrow. Image: Bristol Beacon
To round off a phenomenal two months of live music, Kerala Dust will headline an evening at Strange Brew with their combination of Americana and blues with broodling electronica. Their debut album ‘Light, West’ showcases Kerala Dust’s hypnotic sound which is brought to life when performed live with their eclectic and experimental approach – making for a mesmerising and vibrant experience.
Kerala Dust. Image: Bristol Beacon
Tickets for each event are on sale now and can be purchased over on the Bristol Beacon website