Clubs / Rave on Avon
Bristol Boxing Gym reopens for weekend of raves, including free entry day party
Exactly a year on from its last event, a famous Bristol rave spot reopens its doors this weekend, under the handling of two different sets of promoters brand new to the venue, for two separate parties taking place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May.
The Boxing Gym is located on the southern tip of Riverside Park, overlooking the A4032 and adjacent M32. It’s one of the first things you drive past when you enter Bristol City Centre from the North East, but many won’t know it as a party spot.
Previously home to the Bristol leg of Highrise, putting on soundsystem focussed weekend long day festivals with a heavy focus on dub, jungle and other soundsystem influenced music, the venue has been dormant since their last party on May 20 2023 following accusations made against the Highrise owner.
is needed now More than ever
This weekend, however, sees two new sets of promoters bring a new light to the venue, in the hope that it can continue forward as a thriving spot for great parties. Friday night sees AnExperience host one of their famed “A Proper Jungle Night” parties there, promising ginormous amens and a truly hedonistic crowd – don’t go unless you’re willing to have a proper dance.
Saturday then sees the return of the much-loved annual Rave On Avon day festival. Having started as a Stokes Croft takeover event back in 2015, the festival now hosts annual day parties at some of the city’s most exciting venues each year, with more focussed lineups and vision. The day party will be split across the boxing gym and the neighbouring Lost Horizon, and sets at the latter will be live streamed via their in-house radio station Void Radio.
This year, they’re even offering free tickets to those who turn up before 5pm, in an effort to help out dancers who are struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, alongside ever inflating ticket prices.
Rave On Avon’s Festival director Hywel Gregory mentions “the early days of Rave on Avon and the infamous Blue Mountain terrace parties. Historically, it was always free in the day to attend and it’s great to be able to give an accessible ticket option, in particular against the current backdrop of the cost of living crisis.”
He also says the team are “super excited to be trusted with the first show at the boxing gym, the team behind this venue have been busy working on the site all week and it’s looking amazing. They’ve even built a DJ booth out of one of the boxing rings at the gym!”
Tickets for both events are available on Headfirst.
Main photo: Rave On Avon
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