To entertain the children in their last homework-free days, St Stephen’s Church garden hosted the enchanting ‘Old City Kids’ zone. Here, youngsters enjoyed storytelling from Stanfords, The School of Drag and mermaid Lindsey Cole along with bubble artist, face painting, wooden games from Play Wooden and more.
Free-to-attend one-day music event in Bristol's Old City.
Project Type
Promoting Date
26 August 2023
New for summer 2023, a brand new family-friendly music event took over Bristol’s Old City with an epic lineup to celebrate the city’s songful soul on the last Saturday of the school holidays and the late August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Old City Sounds was delivered by Bristol City Centre BID, supported by Bristol’s City Centre & High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, which is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England’s Combined Authority’s Love our High Streets project, with the aim of supporting the recovery of Bristol’s priority high streets.
OLD CITY KIDS
OLD CITY ECLECTIC
St Nicholas Street also played host to musicians and vocalists from the city and beyond – in the ‘Old City Eclectic’ area. This diverse space welcomed artists from classical to nu-wave backgrounds, spanning various music genres. Among the performers were the virtuoso flamenco guitarist Flamenco Thief, The 45s rock band and the captivating soulful vocals of China Bowles. Nine foot cake ladies also roamed the street.
OLD CITY ACOUSTICS
St Nicholas Market also saw a bumper edition of its summer busking series take place as the ‘Old City Acoustics’ zone welcomed local musicians from the Bristol Institute of Music Management (BIMM). Here, a series of talented buskers performed for visitors as they ate and shopped. The skilled acousticians filled the market with cherished covers and their own original compositions. Just a stone’s throw away on Corn Street, the Bristol Indies’ Market set up shop and offered an assortment of locally-crafted gifts, vintage attire, and other hidden gems.
OLD CITY JAZZ
The renowned Old Duke Jazz Festival led the way for the ‘Old City Jazz’ zone on King Street. This vibrant zone showcased live jazz talents from both near and far, uniting in a symphonic celebration of everything folk, funk, and swing had to offer. Jump Street served up a brass heavy mix of funk, soul, pop and New Orleans tunes, Vocal Works Gospel Choir showcased a crossover of gospel with pop, soul, rock and Motown whilst Cheeky Monkeys roamed the street to showcase their acrobats and juggling skills.
Photography by Julian Preece Photography