News / st Pauls carnival
‘Amazing diverse lineup’ announced for St Paul’s Carnival 2023
With just weeks to go until the return of St Paul’s Carnival on July 1, organisers have announced a packed lineup of musical and creative talent.
This year’s theme is ‘Learning from Legends’ with the main stage named the Roy Hackett Memorial Stage after the civil rights hero who died in 2022.
“We are so excited to unveil the amazing diverse carnival lineup, featuring talent from Bristol and all over the world,” said St Paul’s Carnival chairman, Levi Roots.
is needed now More than ever
“The arts are what make the true carnival experience, celebrating and sharing of our diverse cultures and delivering excellence through music, words and more.
“As we continue to learn from our legends, we cannot wait to deliver carnival excitement, happy high energy tunes, heavy beats this year.”
Located on the green outside St Paul’s Learning Centre Green, artists performing on the Roy Hackett Memorial Stage include Laid Blak, Talisman, Da Fuchaman and his Fire Blaze Band, and Josephine Gyasi.
In St Paul’s Park, the Raising Legends stage curated by Aspiration Creation Elevation hopes to celebrate the future Bristol legends, with headline artists including DJ McCoy Sway, DJ Eazy, DJ Chloe Sage, BORN2BE Records and Creative Power Town.
The carnival’s newest stage, Radical Roots on Brunswick Square, “welcomes a blend of activist-led cultural arts” featuring Lawrence Hoo, Solomon OB, Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir, Malizah, Foli Bristol Djembe Players and the Golden Guild, with a Booty Bass takeover from 4.45pm to 10pm including a dancehall set from Grove.
Meanwhile, Mandela’s Hideaway, the family and children’s stage, will return to St Agnes Park showcasing local youth talent and grassroots artists, African and Caribbean workshops including arts and crafts, dance, drumming, storytelling, wooden play and sensory spaces, as well as a number of performers.

Rubba will be performing at Mandela’s Hideaway – photo: St Paul’s Carnival
Main photo: Booty Bass
Read next:
- ‘Carnival tells a story about our culture, heritage and resistance’
- In photos: St Paul’s Carnival 2019
- Levi Roots named as new chair of St Paul’s Carnival
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