News / Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol Harbour Festival announces headliners for 2024
Organisers behind Bristol Harbour Festival have revealed the performers set to bring the Floating Harbour to life for three nights of back-to-back music which aims to shine a light on emerging local artists as well as cultural diversity.
BLOCO B, Laid Blak and Gabriel Templar are just some of the acts that will be performing at the free festival which returns to the city between July 19 and 21.
Performances will take place across the city with headliners in Lloyds Amphitheatre, which will be called the Harbour View.
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The running of the Harbour Fest this year has been taken over by a global events production agency and an immersive theatre company who said they have curated a lineup with is “truly representative of the city”, adding over half of performers are female, non-binary or from other underrepresented groups.
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Among those taking to the stage on the Friday include Xaman X, a Bristolian tropical bass act, She’s Got Brass, a ten-piece female-fronted brass band which puts a new twist on old-school funk.
Then, BLOCO B a Bristol-based Brazilian performance group take to the stage at 8pm, followed by The Bhangra All Stars, a high energy performance using elements from Punjabi Bhangra music from India.
On Saturday, when the climate campaign group Greenpeace will run the main stage, experimental dancehall act Grove will perform, as well as dream-pop performer Emily Magpie and a DJ show from The Beatles Dub Club.
She’s Got Brass, a ten piece female fronted brass band, will take to the stage on Friday – photo: Plaster
Sunday’s show will focus on a ‘made in Bristol’ lineup, with various genres between 11am-6pm. Hélélé will bring a jazz afrobeat to the crowds, followed by Laid Blak’s fusion of jungle and rave.
Bass Choir’s D&B and UK garage will follow suit. They will be followed by TikToker Gabriel Templar, and finally Imprints’ folk-punk-shanty-rock band will close the festival.
Old Time Sailors will enchant Saturday’s audience with their shanty-party style – photo: Plaster
A huge array of fringe events will also take place across the festival weekend, with live entertainment and performances in cafes, restaurants and on the street.
John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration at Bristol City Council, said: “Bristol’s Harbour Festival is truly an opportunity for all communities to come together to celebrate the city’s heritage and creativity.
“We’re fortunate to have this incredible event in our city’s calendar which provides such a great platform for aspiring artists and local talent to perform in front of huge audiences.
“We’re excited about this year’s line-up that’s genuinely representative of our diverse city and its creative talent and look forward to announcing it in full next month.”
Main photo: Paul Box
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