Music / Thekla
Historic boat to celebrate 40th anniversary
Thekla has seen several iterations over the years, from its early days as a working cargo ship, to a brief stint as a mobile gallery and restaurant, and its current iteration as a popular nightclub.
The boat has hosted big names like Franz Ferdinand, Pete Doherty, Santigold and Wire, and artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Massive Attack, Portishead and IDLES played their earliest shows there.
Now the live music venue celebrates its 40th anniversary with five nights of live music, and the launch of an exciting book about the weird and wonderful history of the venue.
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The five-day event will see a host of musicians grace the vessel, including My Nu Leng, who were original residents at Thekla’s 51°27’ club night when it started back in 2011, and regularly guests Kahn & Neek, who also hosted their own “Bandalu” club events on the boat.
Also joining throughout the bumper weekend are chart-topping Strangers singer Kenya Grace, English punk-rock duo Soft Play (DJ set), alternative-indie band The K’s, space-rockers Henge, a special Pop Confessional with Twisted Time Machine and Beatles Dub Club & Friends.
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The team behind the historic boat have put together an exclusive archive book, The Complete History of Thekla, looking at the vessel’s legacy and cultural influence.
Speaking about the historic anniversary, Thekla general manager Alex Black, said: “Celebrating 40 years in Bristol is absolutely incredible.
“Thekla stands for so much more than a music venue; it is an institution testament to Bristol’s vibrant culture.
“Each band that plays and all the up-and-coming DJs all tell a story and add to the rich history of the city’s music scene. We can’t wait for people to get their hands on the book that documents the legacy and passion of Thekla.
“The vessel’s 40th anniversary also comes at a pivotal time for independent music venues, acting as a space for growth for emerging artists and inspiration to grassroots venues that are faced with rising operational costs.
“Celebrating four decades of Thekla signifies the power of culture and arts, and how important it is to the city and for the city.”
The anniversary programme runs from May 1 to 5. Tickets are on sale at www.theklabristol.co.uk.
Main photo: David Jeffrey Hughes
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