… is how Idles’ frontman Joe Talbot described Bristol’s most-famous concert-goer Big Jeff at Glastonbury this year as he recovered from serious injuries sustained in a house fire. One month before the accident, Simon Horsford sat down with Jeff to delve into his love of music and art and discuss his extraordinary outlook on life. To this day, it is abundantly clear that the local legend’s strength and positivity remains unwavering in his fight. In June of this year, the Bristol artist and famed gig-goer Jeffrey Johns, aka Big Jeff, was seriously injured in a house fire. He remains in Southmead ..read more

On Sunday 19 March, the Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra returns to St George’s Bristol for the first of its three annual concerts. We meet Conductor Tim Harrison, soloist Luke Russell and orchestra leader (violinist) Anneka Sutcliffe to chat crescendo and connection… Fact: on 1 March, the UK gets approximately 11 hours of sunlight per day. That’s three hours more than Deepest Darkest January. As the days grow longer and we edge ever closer to summer’s sublime 16 hours of sunlight, what better time to enjoy an orchestra concert programmed around the theme of light? On 19 March, the shining talen ..read more

After capturing our hearts on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, Bristol-born comedian Jayde Adams chats to Melissa Blease about body confidence, brand-new shows and living the dream… According to a Times journalist, Jayde Adams – the uniquely charismatic Bristol-born comedian, actor, writer and singer – “unites the political with the personal in a way that many comics aim for, but few pull off with this sort of aplomb.” The Evening Standard says her stardom-bound trajectory is inevitable, and the Guardian claims she’s already reached stellar heights. So: is Jayde talking to me from a luxury f ..read more

Valley Fest, the best-tasting music festival in the South West festival, takes place alongside Chew Valley Lake, near Bristol, between 4-7 August 2022. Music Travis, Clean Bandit, Faithless (DJ set), Roni Size with Dynamite MC, Kosheen and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club will headline. Valley Fest has joined forces with Arcadia, the performance art collective. Arcadia are best known for their iconic, 50 ft fire-spitting spider at Glastonbury.  However at Valley Fest, they are bringing the Afterburner stage – built from a Rolls Royce jet engine. Acts playing on the Afterburn ..read more

Some 36 years ago, the NME released a cassette tape that comprised of 22 new guitar-based bands licensed from British independent record labels of the time, which even featured the then unknown Scottish rock band, Primal Scream. C86 was arguably the birth of ‘indie music’, but what happened to those musical dreamers? asked renowned journalist and local author Nige Tassell. In his new book, Whatever Happened to the C86 kids? An Indie Odyssey, he tracks down the members to find out exactly where life led them… Bogshed, Stump and Miaow; The Mighty Lemon Drops, Half Man Half Biscuit and Close Lobs ..read more

As Elbow prepare to headline the third night of Bristol Sounds on 24 June – returning to the harbourside for the first time since 2018 – Melissa Blease sits down with frontman Guy Garvey to talk early memories, meeting McCartney, performing with dear friends, and much, much more… If you’re a thinking person, there’s a point in your life when you start realising that the way you are and who you are is a result of the people around you; like, you’re not on a journey to somewhere else: This Is Who You Are.” If you’re Guy Garvey – lead singer of Elbow, longterm BBC Radio 6 Music presenter and all ..read more

As Bristol Harbour Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, we take a closer look at what we can look forward to on 15 – 17 July… Bristol’s flagship event, the Bristol Harbour Festival is returning to the city this month to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The amphitheatre’s Bristol Music Stage will feature long-loved Bristol acts – many of whom are celebrating key anniversaries this year, including 40 years for the ultimate party band Doreen Doreen. The festival will also champion the city’s incredible female DJs with Queen Bee taking to the decks throughout the weekend and Dazee headlining S ..read more

Swedish singer-songwriter José González is back on tour with his fourth solo album, Local Valley. Ahead of his appearance at The Marble Factory on 26 April, we catch up with José and delve into the making of his soulful sounds… Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut single Crosses in 2003, and his subsequent cover of The Knife’s Heartbeats on the same album – a rendition that has earned more than 372 million listens on Spotify alone – José González’s signature glacial vocals and impressive Spanish-inflected fingerpicking have been a mainstay of the indie-folk scene for almost two ..read more

Signalling the start of the summer, Shindig Festival (26-29 May 2022) will be the finest yet. It’s taking place in a NEW location: Dillington Estate, Somerset. The 16th Century house and hotel not only provides the backdrop but also some high-end accommodation. And the party takes place in the beautiful, tree-studded parkland. The seventh edition of Shindig combines old-skool royalty, festival residents with many rising stars to ensure there’s something for everyone. De La Soul, New York’s Grammy winning hip-hop trio will be headlining and performing hits from their critica ..read more