Old City Sounds announces full line-up ahead of August Bank Holiday music extravaganza

Bristol’s Old City is getting ready to amplify the August Bank Holiday (Saturday 24 August) as Old City Sounds returns for another unforgettable day of music, entertainment and family fun spread across some of the city centre's most popular venues. 

Following the success of its inaugural event in 2023, the free-to-attend celebration of the city’s songful soul will feature performances at iconic venues such as The Old Duke which will host its signature ‘The Old Duke Jazz Festival’ as well as Welsh Back’s 6 O’clock Gin Boat. Venues across St. Nicholas street will also come alive with eclectic sounds, providing endless entertainment for everyone to enjoy. 

A staple in Bristol’s jazz scene, The Old Duke will host top jazz artists from 11am - 11pm, including the likes of Trudgeon’s Trad Jazz Troubadours, The Jiveoholics, Ruby Jazz and Jack Mac’s Funk Pack. Bringing upbeat and energetic rhythms to the festival, The Old Duke promises guests a soulful experience that’s guaranteed to have them toe-tapping and hand-jiving across the weekend. Meanwhile, the Bristol Old Vic will be hosting three top secret but very special gigs at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. 

Image: Old City Sounds

Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Old City Sounds is the perfect way to bring music, culture and family together in one big free day party in one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful areas. Not only will the event showcase the great musical talents in our city, it will also showcase the wide range of venues Bristol has to offer and we’re excited to get people into these venues to celebrate the incredible talents our city holds.”

While the hugely popular The Old Duke will be swinging with the jazz festival, St Stephen’s Church will be the place to be for families, offering an array of workshops, crafts and performances for both the young and young at heart to be entertained all day long. From circus skills workshops at 2pm and 3.30pm, Bhangra Dance workshops at 2.30pm and 4pm, the magical Bubble Fairy at 2.45pm and 4.15pm and African drumming classes at 3pm and 4.30pm, all are welcome to head down and get stuck into activities throughout the day.

Stewart Seydel, Landlord at The Old Duke, said: The Old Duke Jazz Festival has been running since the early 80's, started by the then landlord John Stone on the back of a beer delivery lorry. It has always (except when interrupted by the pandemic) been held on the August Bank Holiday weekend and involves three days of live music featuring the bands who appear at The Old Duke all year round. I'm lucky enough to witness the joy that live music can bring to people, both the players and listeners, every single day. Supporting and encouraging live bands has been at the heart of what The Old Duke does since the first band played here in 1967. Spreading that engagement, with events like Old City Sounds, is wonderful.”

Image: Old City Sounds, credit The Crown 

As well as back to back jazz, music lovers will find a range of eclectic sounds across the Old City. 6 O’clock Gin at the Glassboat will host an array of DJ’s, curated by world renowned international DJ booking agency, The Pool Agency.

Matthew Johnson, Director at The Pool Agency, said: “Having grown up and put down roots in Bristol it is always nice to get involved with the thriving local scene. When travelling the world and working overseas, the musical reputation and legacy of Bristol speaks far above and beyond the usual sharing of connections and breaking of bread. This event is aiming to support and help in nurturing upcoming talent and small venues within the Old City. Come join us on the 6 O'Clock Gin Boat on Saturday 24 August for a Bank Holiday all-dayer with a lovingly compiled collection of some fine local talent.”

For festival-goers looking for a variety of performances, they should look towards Corn Street, St Stephens Street and Avenue Street, where the likes of Death Disco will be hosting a street party with live DJ’s and frozen margaritas. Dirty Martini will be putting on the perfect day-to-night party with DJ sets from 6pm to keep the good times going.

Image: Old City Sounds, credit Nightcap Group

Anyone after something slightly more alternative should look towards St Nicholas Street, which will be hosting live bands and DJs at The Mother’s Ruin - and there will be more musical entertainment across nearby staples including The Raven and Seamus O’Donnells. Catch Bristol-based music collectives VooKoo and Bristol Zoo each doing their own two-hour takeovers at Mother’s Ruin, followed by electronic DJ sets from Variable_self and Sam Lester to round off the evening.

Neo Soul artist O.Love will be taking over The Raven from 9:30 till late, and Seamus O’Donnells will see irish country and folk band Woodchuck take to the stage from 2-6, bringing a range of well-known tunes with an irish twist to the day party, before Just Jed takes over for an evening of good vibes and karaoke.

Mr Wolfs will host a range of live bands and DJs, with DJ Wooley on the decks at 2pm, 3.45pm, 5pm and 6.15pm, live music from Naughty Steps at 3pm, Chloe Et Al will be on at 5:30pm, Karolina Griškutė Quartet will take to the stage at 5.30pm and The Dusk Brothers will play at 7pm before Jambo closes the evening off with a DJ set from 8pm onwards.

For more information, visit www.oldcitysounds.co.uk.