Music / Reviews
Review: Ritual Union – ‘Another impressive all-dayer’
There has been an abundance of music festivals in the city in the past few years, almost one a month, from Simple Things in February to Outer Town Festival in April, from Dot To Dot in May to Bristol Sounds in June.
For March’s offering, Ritual Union entered the fray three years ago and it is still going strong.
The 15 hour day provided non-stop live performances across four venues: SWX, Strange Brew, The Island and Rough Trade.
is needed now More than ever
It was only fitting that we kicked the day off with a local band who have gotten impressively better since the last time I saw them.
Oslo Twins are the trippy, synth heavy five piece performed an impressive set.
I first saw them when they performed at Dot To Dot in the Bristol Beacon foyer before it had officially reopened, instead of five of them, there were only two and three years later they have really cemented themselves as a beautifully brilliant band.
Bristol outfit Oslo Twins were a great start to the day. photo: @merlini_creates
Although it was quite a short set, lead singer Claudia Vulliamy was captivating on stage, her vocals ethereal in the pink hues of the Strange Brew stage.
We continued with our Bristol fix as PEM followed the Oslo Twins. Recently signed to Fascination Street Records ( Ali Chant’s new boutique record label in collaboration with Factory Studios in Barton Hill), PEM is the project of musician Emily Perry.
The singer was joined by a full band but it was Perry’s vocals that shone the brightest; her unique vocals silencing the room.
Wrapping us in a cocoon, the set provided a soft, slow and down-tempo pace, allowing us the space to take a minute and relish in the band’s performance.
The Island was a venue I was keen to visit, a new addition to this year’s Ritual Union, and we headed there to catch vocalist and producer MM’99, who was performing as part of Spinny Nights’ curated stage.
The underground cave-like venue was a great setting for the musician’s haunting vocals and electronica sounds.
Peckham singer-songwriter and producer Sam Akpro took to the stage at SWX, perhaps too big a venue for the artist as it was the quietest I had seen it since it reopened in 2022.
The quiet venue didn’t deter Akpro who performed with four other members, the guitar-heavy melodies fusing with the electronic sound that he’s known for.
A taste of sonic-fuelled rhythms, it was an enjoyable performance as the sun began to go down.
We book-ended the day at Strange Brew, returning to the popular venue where we had to queue to get in; the queue continued well into the evening, people were either desperate to see the next several artists or they were eager for the after party to start 11pm.
Mary in the Junkyard kicked off the first of the final four bands we were to see. Having risen through the ranks alongside Picture Parlour and Fat Dog, the experimental rock trio were a bundle of energy on stage.
We went international for Califonia indie-rockers, Cheekface. The band seemed overjoyed for their first appearance in the city and were reminiscent of bands like Pavement and The Ting Tings.
Upbeat, fast-paced and fun, it was a vividly memorable set in a day full of memorable performances.
Next up was three piece Irish band, Chalk provided a change in tempo, fusing punk rock with techno, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were born from Bristol, their sound effortlessly fitting into the city’s beloved music scene.
We ended the day with American rockers, Ovlov. Charging with exciting energy and filling the venue with their indie-rock sound, it was a great ending to another impressive all-dayer.
Bristol has cultivated a reputation for producing and supporting a range of local, national and international artists and Ritual Union is a huge part of this ethos.
Showcasing local artists while obtaining performances from international bands, the festival continues to prove itself, carving out a much-needed space on Bristol’s music calendar.
No matter how many festivals come and go, Ritual Union will always be wanted.
Main photo: @merlini_creates
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