Bristol's Musical Mind
The Future of the Bristol Music Scene
In Conclusion
While researching, I realised that Bristol is a hub full of different music styles. I could only cover a small amount of what Bristol has to offer in the music scene, especially over the last 70 years.
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It is not just the different music styles in Bristol that make the city known as a musical hub, but also the number of venues in Bristol that music events are also another reason why Bristol lives up to its name as a musical city.
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The most prominent music genres in Bristol are stemming from the Bristol sound system culture, where is the start of the Caribbean sound system influencing other different genres, which wasn't seen as mainstream music during the 80s to 90s. Another genre that is root deep in Bristol is punk and rock. As Bristol is also known as an outspoken place, where a lot of youth and people of minorities speak out against social issues such as racism and poverty, rock and punk music is a very common use for the artist to voice out their thoughts.
Bristol has been the pioneer of emerging sounds such as trip-hop and the folk subgenre of Scrumpy and Western. The city is also not afraid to create new forms of fusions from what I have learned from my interviews and research. As for whether politics and culture are an influence on the music scene over time, I believe it is not the main influence of different music scenes as that I believe is due to the artist themselves, however, the change and influence of culture and politics is a significant driving factor that led people to produce and compose a lot of the different styles of music.
The Future
Definitely, for sure, the Bristol music scene will remain alive. From having an active music venue scene to universities having one of the best music courses in Britain, it would be difficult for Bristol not to be seen as a musical city.
Even with the COVID pandemic, which has halted a lot of things especially regarding the music industry, people in Bristol and the rest of the world have been able to adapt, such as doing online performances.
As in regard to which music scene will remain alive, there are no definitive answers, however, I would like to think that the Bristol Sound genres, such as trip-hop, drum and bass, reggae and dub will still have a strong presence in Bristol, as it is seen a part of Bristol identity that makes the city stand out compared to other cities in the UK
And as technology is ever-evolving, even if Bristol does not create a new music scene like the Bristol Sound, they will pick up the music trends. Because the city is well-populated with young people, from the University of Bristol and UWE Bristol as well as other institutions and families moving in to the growing city
Exporing the if culture and politics have a link to the music scene
In my opinion, Ruth has the biggest range of experience in the music scene in this project so far. Being a singer in a variety of music groups ranging from hip hop to folk and country, she has experience with different music scenes within Bristol.
During the interview, we both agreed that culture and politics can't be easily divorced. As mentioned in Andrews interview, culture can be part of someone's everyday life, this includes the politics that can affect them personally. With music being a form of expression it would make sense that politics and culture could be hinted in the music.
In my opinion, Ruth has the biggest range of experience in the music scene in this project so far. Being a singer in a variety of music groups ranging from hip hop to folk and country, she has experience with different music scenes within Bristol.
During the interview, we both agreed that culture and politics can't be easily divorced. As mentioned in Andrews interview, culture can be part of someone's everyday life, this includes the politics that can affect them personally. With music being a form of expression it would make sense that politics and culture could be hinted in the music.
During my interview with her what really popped out to me was how venues and small bands are struggling. Before then I must admit I was rather positive about the future of niche bands as Bristol is known for its underground scene and indie bands. But this isn't 100% the case, there is a lot of politics with how not only Bristol but the whole of the UK is handling the music industry, with Ruth explaining that she doesn't think that they are taking the music industry as seriously as they should be, as music has a more of an impact in people and the government than we think.
Exporing the if culture and politics have a link to the music scene
In my opinion, Philip has the biggest range of being behind the music scene in this project so far. As a music producer and promoter, not only has he been in the music scene in Bristol but he understands the mechanics behind it too, this includes the politics and organisation for bands and artists when setting up gigs
What was the most interesting about Phillip's interview is that politics and culture do not have to be as clear as day in the song. It can also include the background behind the person’s music, such cases include the tech-house music producers, who happen to also be property developers removing community centres. technically all songs have a sense of politics behind them as the artist is part of the song.
Trails and Tribulations
This gallery presents how the music scene in Bristol has adapted over the last couple of years as well as what I believe will still exist and possibility grow in the future or influence a change in the music scene
A music venue that host original and covers indie bands
This radio focuses on promoting underground art and music from Bristol and the UK
Strange Brew is the newest music venue to arrive after the pandemic. Because of that they are adapted to the regulations regarding the pandemic
Saffron is a social enterprise, that offers training for the music industry. What is different about them is that they focus to shift the gender imbalance in the music industry by training more women and non-binary people
The Self Isolation Choir is the direct result of how music has adapted when faced with a circumstance such as the covid pandemic. With the use of technology and the internet performance are virtual accessible to people around the world
This festival inspires to bring culture and community together, being inclusive to people of all backgrounds . When the pandemic hit, the organisers took it to themselves to create the movement Save Our Scene to help the industry professionals hit the hardest.
"Headfirst is Bristol's leading gig guide with a freshly launched online ticket shop"
Hover over the box to see the pictures and click on the picture to see the links