Bristol Beacon

Nothing short of outstanding, hit after hit, with immense energy throughout. Look very forward to seeing them again. My wife & I can’t believe I missed their set at Glastonbury in 2023 as it would have been out of this world!!!

Three excellent skilled pianists who exhibited very different musical styles. The atmosphere was fantastic, the venue great. The overall package very repeatable. There is life yet in the post-classical genre. Lets hope they get the support they deserve

OMG, holy mutha...... An amazing gig at a good venue. The support from Bokassa and 1000mods was immense, glad to hear them and get some new music in the bag. As for Clutch they totally blew the place, crazy gig with some real good old tracks mixed in with their newer music and low and behold gave us new music as well from their new album which is to be released in 2026. I really can't wait to see them again, simply a fantastic gig 🤘😎

Katie opened for John Smith who, by all accounts, is very much the headline act but I'd never come across him until Katie was announced on the tour. Katie was the star of the show for me and the reason I was there. Her voice is silky and soulful but still powerful enough to fill a 500 seat venue, such as the Lantern Hall. Her 6-song set focused on her recent album release 'What Love Is' and included the powerfully personal 'It was then that I knew love' but also touched on her East Yorkshire upbringing in 'The Edge of the Land'. Stunning guitar, both to listen to and admire visually. Is there something about the Lantern Hall or the was it the passive, frosty and somewhat disinterested audience that made it hard for John Smith to really engage with people? His banter, jokes and tale of encountering US law enforcement seemed to miss the mark. Audience participation was awkward to say the least. Apparently Corsham's Pound Art Centre was a better show.

She was brilliant and love her she was so nice to me and when I met her She was so kind and let me take the time to speak to her and gave her some bracelets I made for her she loved them and I was dancing the night away

Best gig I've been to in years! I sang all the way through and could hardly speak the following day. They played most of my favourite tracks (not just their own but my fave Bob Marley, Tom Petty & Dierks Bentley tracks too). Wish I'd bought a standing ticket so I could have danced too! A - mazing evening!!

“Thank you for waiting” said John Grant to the audience packed into the Bristol Beacon for his show on Saturday 1 February 2025. It had been a little over three months wait, after illness forced the postponement of his original date of 25 October 2024. It was certainly worth that wait. After support act Big Special had warmed up the audience with a half hour of what I will try to describe as techno punk rap (and well-received it was, too), the burly baritone from Buchanan, Michigan (although lately a resident and citizen of Iceland) took to the stage while Ennio Morricone music played through the sound system. Grant had come to play some songs from his recent album, ‘The Art of the Lie’, interspersed with some great numbers from his back catalogue. The new material dovetailed neatly with such classics as ‘Marz’, ‘Pale Green Ghosts’, ‘The Boy From Michigan’, and ‘Chicken Bones’, before closing with the sweeping ‘GMF’ in which Grant proclaims himself to be “the greatest motherf***er of them all”. I would not disagree. Grant played non-stop, with just a few words exchanged with his audience, for the best part of two hours. It was a performance that brought a broad smile to my face which persisted long after he had left the stage and the hall emptied. Days later, I still have his infectious tunes running through my head. Oh yes, it was well worth the wait.

Visually, atmospherically and audibly amazing. He had 2 technical problems such as a guitar malfunction and a feedback problem that him and his band were so talented that they managed to make it sound like it was part of the performance. Such a perfect tribute to his second album and my personal favourite of his. The performance was like a dream scoped landscape. His support act, Daisy Rickman, paved such a perfect way into Ben’s music. She was beautiful.

Fantastoc gig, let down by the awful lighting at the Beacon. Every time Ian Astbury was near the front of the stage he disappeared into darkness. Why aren’t there spotlights there ? The same thing happened when Echo & The Bunnymen played there earlier on this year.

I followed this unique band for about a decade, fifteen years ago. So I was really made up to get a couple of well-placed seats. The show did not disappoint. It's a so much improved venue over the ancient Colston Hall (where we saw some great shows), but this is another level of hospitality (not enough loos), seeting and accoustics

I only discovered JR because Spotify kept throwing me his tracks (mostly from 1973). I quickly grew to love them and sought out more. This was my 3rd time seeing Josh live, and he never disappoints. He's best with his full band, but still extremely entertaining just with guitar and harp. A more proficient guitarist than many in a similar role too. I would love to hear a few different songs (Streetlights, Jersey Clowns etc) rather than Spaceship and covers, though as a huge Nick Lowe fan, it was great to hear Cruel to be Kind again. Audience participation was excellent and it felt like there was a real connection between Josh and his audience. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did Josh. Great venue too btw.

Alfie was amazing. Really good show, he did 2hrs 15mins straight through.....amazing. Band amazing too. The range of songs Alfie covers in his own style is so varied and he makes everyone his own. The new bristol beacon is a good venue. Seat numbering abit confusing and staff member inside had no idea and wasn't very helpful.

Richard is almost back to his old cheeky self, playing in a very good band and they all are very much enjoying themselves. The songs from the new album are strong, and what’s not to like about the back catalogue? £70 ! It was worth it to hear Beeswing again! It knocked years off me!👍

It was wonderfull to see Tull again. We enjoyed a very eclectic evening. A collection of lesser known songs off each decade that albums were released Starting with on of their first hits in 1968 and including a couple of tunes off their latest. Album releaseed in the last few months. Songs were more of more of a folk base with alternate versions of better known early hits. my only issue was with the sound. At times the bands instruments drowned out Ians softly sung lyrics and always outstanding flute playing. As a whole a fantastic evening, listening to some great music played by a wonderful group of very talanted artists who obviously enjoyed preforming together.

Best I’ve seen! Came all the way down from Liverpool on the Thursday and stayed over for two nights. He was that good I had to see him twice lol; I got my ticket 🎫 to see him in Manchester Friday 1st November, absolutely brilliant what a man! Fantastic musician 🙌🏻 one of the very best around 👌🏻 the band is brilliant as well 👏🏻 cracking city Bristol by the way & the venue was great too, would definitely come back down again to the city

It was a wonderful surprise to get to see Caoilfhionn Rose after finding out she was the supporting act to Hania Rani at Bristol Beacon as she was a musician I hoped to watch one day. Her set was beautifully produced with her silky vocals and sublime Melodies. It was also a treat that Jasmine Myra joined the stage for part of the performance. Caoilfhionn’s music moved me to tears when she sung a few songs that hit me deep and with the sound setup and lighting design it was an amazing atmospheric experience.

Enjoyable overall, with great banter between tracks and Billy as genuine as ever. Started with a 40 minute film summarising his career which didn't add a huge amount, then went on a bit long. But a great range of good tracks for him to choose from.

A wonderful evening in the company of this very talented artist, mixing songs from her early albums, which show a traditional Appalachian influence, with those from her brilliant ‘Grenades’, which explores themes and rhythms from her father’s native Grenada. The sound was perfectly balanced, the small but enthusiastic audience was enchanted throughout her set. I doubt I will enjoy a gig more this year.

Lovely, intimate gig. Kathryn was a delight, very funny and honest lady, thoroughly enjoyed her set. Not so keen on Shhe's music as support, which was a shame as she had a really good voice also... just doesn't present it well with sparse, off-beat accompaniment. Would be great to see them working together though.