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NEWS: Trinity Presents returns with new programme

Trinity have announced new shows for 2023 and are hoping for their biggest year yet! as part of our in-house music programme Trinity Presents!

NEWS: Bristol Beacon announces an eclectic line up of gigs to 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…

REVIEW: Takeover 2022 at Bristol Beacon

Fran Pope reviews Bristol Beacon’s annual Bristol Takeover, the music and poetry festival celebrating up and coming bands, DJs, artists and poets. We showcase Fantastic Stranger, Irish Mellow and Cxption, Kutamba, Dreamwave, Quade, Iman West…

NEWS: Winterland brings ice skating and DJ’s to Propyard, Bristol

Propyard opens its ice rink this winter for festivities to the sounds of the best Jungle, House and Hip-hop DJs around.

NEWS: Jamz Supernova takes the stage at Strange Brew, Bristol

Jamz Supernova is set to play a five hour set for BBC 6 music ultimate jam session hosted by Bristol Beacon

REVIEW: Fumez The Engineer launches Platinum, Lakota

Bristol’s newest club night Platinum showcased the sounds of drill & hip hop at Lakota with a guest appearance from Fumez The Engineer

NEWS: Bristol Kino Club revives The Watermelon Woman

EXCERPT: Bristol Kino Club, or Kino Club for short, has its inaugural event on Tuesday 29th November 2022 at The Cube Microplex, with a screening of the Watermelon Woman to celebrate its 25th anniversary. A…

GALLERY: DeAnima celebrate their 10th with special guests at Crofters Rights

DeAnima celebrated delivering their 10th live event at Crofter’s Rights on Stokes Croft last week. We sent our photographers Anna Cunningham & Ben Hunt down to capture the action

NEWS: Artists Line Up For Bristol Takeover

A multi-genre showcase of Bristol’s most exciting DJS, bands and artists will takeover Bristol Beacon this November for this free, one day festival

PLAYLISTS: Freestyle Finds #014

Freestyle Finds is a carefully curated a blend of the latest tracks from the internationally known to the Bristol underground. We find the new releases that stood out amongst the pile for us and share…

REVIEW: Loyle Carner, Marble Factory

Loyle Carner celebrated the release of his brooding third album ‘Hugo’ with an intimate signing & performance in Bristol for Rough Trade. Mitchell and Anna went down to capture the scene.

NEWS: Hip Hop Coffee Shop, Boston Tea Party

Put down the mobiles and pick up your mics! Yep, our friends at Hip Hop Coffee Shop are back once again like the renegade masters to welcome you to another round of their freestyle fellowship.

REVIEW: Murkage Dave, Strange Brew

Murkage Dave made an appearance at Strange Brew last week and we went down to take a look for Freestyle Bristol

NEWS: Baduizm tribute at Trinity, Bristol to celebrate the Queen of Neo-Soul

Bristol Beacon will host the 25th anniversary of the music of Erykah Badu’s debut album, Baduizm, set to take place at Trinity Community Arts Centre

SPOTLIGHT: Cloe Morrison on creating worlds through the camera lens.

I caught up with latest recruit to the Freestyle Bristol team Cloe Morrison, fashion and music photographer who moved to Bristol to pursue her career outside of the traditional university route, to get to know…

REVIEW: DJ Rishi brings the energy of no_one back to The Thekla

Launched in 2019 by Bristol-based DJ Rishi, the no_one series returned to Thekla on Friday, October 14 for a hotly anticipated night featuring local DJs alongside nationally recognised names.

NEWS: De Anima Live 10, The Crofters Rights

De Anima Productions presents its 10th live music event to celebrate its year-long residency at the Crofters Rights with Jodie Mellor, Euan Morris and a full band.

PLAYLISTS: Freestyle Finds #013

The world might seem crazy right now but Freestyle Bristol has the new music to relax the mind, body & soul.

REVIEW: The Slocan Ramblers, The Bristol Folk House

Award-winning bluegrass, Americana, folk and roots band the Slocan Ramblers astounded the audience at their Bristol Folk House gig with their immaculate technical skills and transportive intensity

SPOTLIGHT: Jack Dalby’s photographic essay Safe Haven documents the Transgender and Non-Binary community within Cornwall.

Safe Haven documents the Transgender and Non-Binary community within Cornwall.

NEWS: Jay Electronica, Marble Factory

Jay Electronica returns to Bristol for what will be one of the biggest nights this year

REVIEW: Beacon Calling

In the space of a week Bristol Beacon produced an eclectic festival of music at a variety of venues in the city. Freestyle Bristol sent our writers out to sample the artists on offer.

REVIEW: Aitch, Marble Factory

Nearing a decade into the Manchester Hip-Hop/Rap scene, releasing countless singles and collaborations, Aitch finally releases Close To Home – his debut album and brings his live show to Bristol

NEWS: Inspired Film Festival, Watershed

Bristol film collective, Cables & Cameras will stage another takeover weekend at the Watershed in September for INSPIRED – a packed programme of VR workshops, keynote speakers and short film screenings and previews to celebrate…

SPOTLIGHT: Kwazi

#AfterDark showcases the best underground artists in Bristol from the up and coming to the legendary. Amelia Kelly spoke with Kwazi about his rap career, interest in anime and making waves in Bristol.

NEWS: Bristol Beacon announces new gigs

Bristol Beacon announced a series of events for the Bank Holiday that sees an eclectic lineup of artists visit the city.

NEWS: Access launches first Metaverse course in Bristol

Access Creative College, the UK’s leading games, music and media college has teamed up with metaverse specialists Condense and venture capital fund LocalGlobe, to offer up to 8 fully funded scholarships to start in September.

NEWS: Big Team & Team Love link up for a hot opportunity for aspiring photographers

Big Team have partnered with Team Love Productions to offer aspiring photographers an opportunity for a placement on their brand new festival FORWARDS 2022

NEWS: Forwards Festival announces its ‘Changemakers’ programme

Forwards Festival, which takes place on 3rd and 4th September, has today announced its ‘changemakers’ programme.

NEWS: Freestyle Bristol launches our new football program Girls Goals

How our new football project Girls Goals aims to increase opportunities to play and diversity in womens’ teams

REVIEW: Siren Bristol, Harbourside

Last weekend, July 29 – 30, saw the first major event from Siren Bristol: a two-day programme of large-scale shows for serious dance music fans, all taking place at the the Harbourside. With two stages…

REVIEW: Groove Armada, Harbourside

Libby Smith goes Superstylin’ at the first night of Sirens Festival with Groove Armada and friends.

NEWS: Groove Armada set to bring the heat to Bristol this Friday

Groove Armada will take to the stage at Siren, Bristol Harbourside this Friday supported by Plus Scarlett O’Malley and DJs from Saffron Records.

REVIEW: Bristol Harbour Festival

Another weekend, another festival. For the first time since lockdown Bristol’s free festival saw sunshine & crowds descend on the Harbourside for a weekend of music, dance & boats!

REVIEW: Nile Rodgers & Chic, Harbourside

Nile Rodgers & Chic let the good times roll at the Harbourside and we sent the OG down for the party

GALLERY: Hip Hop Coffee Shop, Boston Tea Party

Hip Hop Coffee Shop came back with a bang last Friday night and Anna Cunningham was hand to capture Bristol’s finest freestylers do battle

NEWS: Hip Hop Coffee Shop welcome international line up to Boston Tea Party

Since it launched in 2018 Hip Hop Coffee Shop has put on events aimed at local hip hop heads and mc’s in Bristol & beyond. As well as offering the chance to meet and collaborate…

REVIEW: Paolo Nutini, Elbow – Bristol Sounds, Harbourside

As the festival returns we sampled two nights of the UK’s finest musicians 

NEWS: Nile Rodgers & CHIC + Belle & Sebastian set to shine at Harbourside

Bristol Beacon presents music icons Nile Rodgers & CHIC and indie legends Belle & Sebastian with support from Django Django at Bristol’s beautiful harbourside this summer 13 – 15 July 2022

REVIEW: Jungle – Bristol Sounds, Harbourside

Bristol Sounds returned after a two year break for a Saturday night dance fest on the docks.

NEWS: Bristol Sounds 2022: Final supports announced

The open-air summer concert series will feature an incredible six shows from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paolo Nutini, Elbow, Jungle, First Aid Kit and The War On Drugs

REVIEW: Bristol Craft Beer Festival, Harbourside

As the event returned last weekend we sent Libby Smith down for the evening to capture its sight and sounds and enjoy a few cheeky ales

REVIEW: Love Saves The Day

With the festival celebrating its 10th anniversary at a new location, we sent our team to capture the highlights of the occasion

NEWS: Bristol Craft Beer Festival returns with array of craft beers, culinary delights and mega music

The 2022 festival season is fast approaching with the return of Bristol Craft Beer Festival on 10-11 June 2022. Festival fans and craft beer lovers will have the chance to bask in the Bristol sunshine…

NEWS: International Graffiti Festival​Upfest Returns for 2022

Upfest is back this May with a weekend packed full of graffiti culture on 28th & 29th May 2022. The festival weekend will see hundreds of artists painting live with festival hubs at Tobacco Factory…

NEWS: Love Saves The Day​ announces 10 stages to celebrate its 10th year

Love Saves The Day celebrates 10th anniversary at new home with mega line-up announcement. Chase and Status (live), Bicep (live), Mura Masa, Kurupt FM, and Andy C set to headline the two-day festival’s 10 stages…

NEWS: Born on Road set to host second stage at Hospitality on the Harbour

Brand new festival will host a second stage with a line up from Bristol-based jungle and D&B label Born on Road 

REVIEW: Will And The People release their latest album ‘Past the Point of No Return’

Lewis Daly explores the new feel and vision of the latest album from Will And The People ‘Past the Point of No Return

SPOTLIGHT: Dash Villz speaks out about his new single ‘Bussa Bottle”

#AfterDark showcases the best underground artists in Bristol from the up and coming to the legendary. Chris Knight speaks to another legend from the Lucky House family about lockdown and how this inspired his new…

SPOTLIGHT: Asher Simmons unleashes his new track ‘Heavy’

Freestyle Bristol’s Chris Knight recently met up with the man of many talents Asher Simmons to talk about the meaning and the man behind his latest track ‘Heavy’.

OPINION: It’s All About Perspective: Is Hip-Hop Dead?

Punit Kavia gives Freestyle Bristol his thoughts to the question, ‘Has Hip-Hop died?’ ahead of the discussion event.

REVIEW: Sault offers up new album ‘Air’ for contemplation

We review Sault’s latest offering ‘Air’; an elixir for the soul sent to refresh and uplift us from the darkness of society’s ills.

REVIEW: Sonic Horizons Highlights

Freestyle photographer Libby Smith went down to BIMM’s Sonic Horizons showcase at the Bristol Beacon last week to catch the vibes. 

NEWS: Forwards Festival – more than a music festival

Bristol’s rising stars join The Chemical Brothers at FORWARDS Festival this September

REVIEW: Dreams of Paradise – Carasel

#AfterDark showcases the best underground artists in Bristol from the up and coming to the legendary. First up is Carasel with his latest release ‘Dreams of Paradise’.

NEWS: Sonic Horizons presents a showcase of exploratory sound and research

BIMM Bristol presents Sonic Horizons: A showcase of exploratory sound and research representing the next generation of musicians and academics within the Bristol community.

NEWS: Creative community join forces in the search for brightest new music talent

Team Love, Bristol Beacon, Big Team and Pirate Studios are co-producing an artist development scheme for upcoming singers, rappers and MCs between 18-25 years

NEWS: Communications Volunteer

We are looking for a Communications and Social Media Volunteer to come and help get the word out about the exciting events and opportunities we’ve got lined up

OPPORTUNITY: Events Volunteer

We’ve got an exciting programme of events coming up over the next six months and we’re looking for an Events Volunteer to come and help us make them happen!

OPPORTUNITIES: We are hosting a free podcasting workshop for young creatives

Intro to Podcasting workshop with podcaster Neil Maggs from the Bristol Cable.

NEWS: JustBe & Freestyle Bristol join forces for a fundraiser

Just Be Events and Freestyle Bristol bring you DIVERSIFY: a night of DnB, 140 and Garage at Dare to Club, Bristol

OPPORTUNITIES: BORN2BE Records offers new training programme

BORN2BE are offering three outstanding paid roles for young people interested in a career in the music industry, including the opportunity to sign with the label as an artist

REVIEW: FKA Twigs’ Caprisongs radiates winter sunshine

This latest offering brings a mature eclecticism, with all the uniqueness Twigs is loved for, that plays with multiple genres and enjoys them for what they are

SPOTLIGHT: Anna Cunningham, Photographer

Photographer Anna Cunningham shares work from her latest and ongoing project. The work is a personal exploration around not conforming, and expresses frustration, reassurance and comfort.

OPINION: Climate and society: Reflections on ways we can act

COP26 has seen an array of promises be made, but will they be kept? What I can do and what we can do as a collective?

REVIEW: Wuthering Heights, Wise Children Theatre Company

The third play under the Wise Children theatre company demonstrates the company’s excellence – but how successful is the transition to stage for this revered gothic literary work?

SPOTLIGHT: Project Zazi offers health & wellbeing to young POC in Bristol

Project ZAZI is a space for young black people and people of colour to explore themes like identity and culture, and how these play out in life, especially around wellbeing.

NEWS: Mya-Rose Craig’s call to arms for climate justice

Mya-Rose Craig aka Birdgirl explains how her new book highlights the voices of indigenous people and people of colour in the run up to COP26

SPOTLIGHT: DeAnima launch their manifesto for creativity

This is the story of De Anima: a new creative media platform for fellow artists to perform and pontificate while beginning the process of gathering a community and audience.

NEWS: Shiiku Fest

Shiiku Collective bring the vibes this weekend in the form of a mini festival bursting with creativity at Propyard, Feeder Road

PLAYLISTS: Introducing Freestyle Finds

Introducing Freestyle Finds: a monthly Spotify playlist brought to you by the Sounds team at the heart of Freestyle Bristol HQ.

NEWS: Your chance to create a film or series with Wildseed Studios

Do you have an exciting story to tell that would work great on screen? This is your chance to create a film or series with Wildseed Studios

REVIEW: Little Simz drops her best work to date with her new album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’

Little Simz drops her best work to date with her new album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert – Chris Knight gives us his verdict.

SPOTLIGHT: The Everyday Magazine

Sometimes you have to follow your dreams. Jess Blackwell rediscovered her mojo for writing when she started blogging. She tells us how this small action helped spark a community of like-minded souls.

NEWS: Freestyle Bristol makes headlines!

We are so excited to be featured in both The BBC and The Bristol Cable this month.

NEWS: In Conversation with Bristol’s Newest, and Youngest, Councillors

Bristol houses a progressive council, with both the Greenest – and youngest – politicians residing here. We interviewed some newer faces to local politics, asking them about their post-vote plans and opinions…

NEWS: The Palace International Film Festival launches their programme

Bristol’s Palace International Film Festival, 8th – 12th September at Bricks, will showcase 100+ queer shorts, feature films, performances, workshops, virtual reality and more

SPOTLIGHT: Millie Wood-Downie on subverting society’s expectations through performance

Theatre-maker Millie shares thoughts on her recent one-woman play There Was A Little Girl and award winning audio piece I Want To Be Good, commissioned by the BBC.

REVIEW: Why Sault’s new album ‘Nine’ might be their angriest yet

“Just when I thought Sault couldn’t get any better they dropped a new one – Nine. Again, a hard-hitting but thought provoking narrative, this time the focus is London Gangs.”

NEWS: Why this UWE academic became a Director of Freestyle Bristol

Dr Ellen Hughes is a lecturer at UWE Bristol Business School, and now a proud Director of Freestyle Bristol.

SPOTLIGHT: 4k.phtgrphy

Photographer Omar Powell of 4k.phtgrphy shares the vibrant art that can be found decorating the streets of Bristol, if you know where to look…

OPPORTUNITY: Bristol Rovers announce their academic courses for young people

Bristol Rovers have announced their courses starting September 2022 for young people aged 16-19

NEWS: CMHD releases new video for ‘I Can Tell’

CMHD’s shares newly premiered video for song I Can Tell

NEWS: The Impact of Sports Coach Apprenticeships

Coach Core graduates share their experience of this innovative and engaging sports coaching apprenticeship.

NEWS: Vanguard Bristol’s Street Art exhibition to showcase a history of grafitti

Vanguard: Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement

SPOTLIGHT: Timothy Langton’s photography highlights the beauty of a decaying Bristol.

SPOTLIGHT: Timothy Langton’s photography highlights the beauty of a decaying Bristol. “Bristol in decay is an ongoing art project I have started to highlight the beauty in the decaying forgotten bits of the city, and…

SPOTLIGHT: CMHD Visuals and the art of video-making

Luke’s journey to becoming Bristol’s dance film and music video specialist

SPOTLIGHT: Callum Cutler talks to us about being a young filmmaker with big ideas

SPOTLIGHT: Callum Cutler talks to us about being a young filmmaker with big ideas Words: Delroy Hibbert Hi Callum. Thanks for joining Freestyle Bristol for this interview! So, I know you’re originally from Brighton -…

OPINION: The State of British Democracy

Isaac Lomax discusses why the UK is not as democratic as it seems

TYRON: slowthai’s latest album

After the NME controversy and a year off, slowthai returns with a more mature outlook and weary observations.

SPOTLIGHT: DJ Ezza’s journey from Bedroom to Budapest

DJ Ezza picked up a new hobby over lockdown and met with Freestyle Bristol to tell us about how it changed her life.

REVIEW: There Was A Little Girl

A one-woman play about growing up opposing the female narrative.