Renowned for its jazz heritage, The Old Duke’s annual Jazz Festival returned with a line-up of artists across the bank holiday weekend. Saturday’s line-up boasted the soulful sounds of Trudgeon’s Trad Jazz Troubadours, Ruby Jazz, The Jiveoholics, and Jack Mac’s Funk Pack.
Free-to-attend one-day music event in Bristol's Old City.
Project Type
Promoting Date
24 August 2024
Old City Sounds returned on Saturday 24 August 2024, giving music lovers and visitors to the city a jam-packed day of live music, family-fun, and entertainment across 15 city centre venues. 2024’s edition moved into some of Bristol’s iconic venues to showcase businesses in the Old City, working in partnership with them to create an eclectic programme. Music lovers were invited to celebrate Bristol’s vibrant music scene whilst supporting local grassroots venues in six city centre zones, bursting with back-to-back music and entertainment.
From toe-tapping jazz at The Old Duke‘s Jazz Festival to immersive DJs at 6 O’Clock Gin’s Glassboat, and the best in new music at Bristol Old Vic‘s Sofar Sounds take over, music lovers were spoilt for choice as they experienced the best of Bristol’s music scene across the August bank holiday weekend. Our creative kids zone made a welcome return to St Stephen’s Church, inspiring future generations of musicians through creative workshops, drumming, and dance.
Discover the festival zones below.
Old City Jazz at The Old Duke on King Street
Old City Kids Zone at St Stephen's Church
The go-to location for kids of all ages. Our kid zone was bursting with free fun, including circus skills, Bhangra dance, and Afidance drumming workshops alongside face painting and arts and crafts. This interactive zone was bustling throughout the day with plenty of fun to keep the whole family entertained.
Old City Sounds on Corn Street
Corn Street venues invited everyone to embrace the party vibes with DJs and live music at Death Disco, The Cocktail Club, Dirty Martini, Blame Gloria, and Walkabout. From Death Disco’s street party to live drumming at The Cocktail Club, Corn Street was bursting with vibrant fun into the night.
Old City Sounds on King Street and Baldwin Street
Bristol Old Vic teamed up with Sofar Sounds for secret gigs throughout the day, with surprise, genre-blending line-ups from some of the city’s best up and coming performers. Just around the corner at Tonight Josephine, DJ Reaper was spinning all the best party hits to keep the party going.
Old City Sounds on The Glassboat
The Pool Agency collaborated with 6 O’Clock Gin at the Glassboat to deliver a day of non-stop DJs. Set against the stunning backdrop of the waterfront, The Glassboat was the perfect spot for gin cocktails and live entertainment.
Old City Sounds on St Nicholas Street
Venues across St Nicholas Street joined in the Old City Sounds fun, including Mother’s Ruin, The Crown, The Raven, Mr Wolfs, and Seamus O’Donnell’s. From The Crown’s Void Radio takeover to all-day outdoor music at Mother’s Ruin and karaoke at Seamus O’Donnell’s, there was something for everyone on St Nicholas Street.
Photography by Julian Preece Photography