“A love letter to Bristol’s nightlife”: City’s creatives launch Kickstarter to celebrate and preserve Bristol’s night time economy in new art book

Two of Bristol’s leading creatives have launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring their new art book, Up All Night: A Bristol Nightlife Story, to life. In collaboration with The History Press, acclaimed award-winning photographer Colin Moody and writer/musician Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley aim to secure 350 pre-orders by the end of December to ensure full publication and distribution of their vibrant tribute to Bristol’s after-dark culture.

Backers of the Kickstarter at http://kck.st/3UeFLAv will not only receive a pre-ordered copy of the book but will also gain exclusive access to its official launch event, along with the chance to vote on the book’s cover design. This interactive opportunity allows supporters to shape the final product and be part of the creative process.

Up All Night is the third instalment in Colin Moody’s Bristol book series with The History Press, offering an intimate glimpse into the city after dark. The book showcases five years of vibrant documentary photography, capturing the essence of Bristol’s nightlife - from iconic venues and artists to the community that breathes life into the city once the sun sets. It’s a visual celebration that also advocates for the preservation and support of Bristol’s night time economy.

Colin Moody, an award-winning photographer known for his captivating work on social environments, has had his photography published in The Guardian, The Observer, Bristol Life Magazine and more. His work, including recent projects like “Portraits of Care” with the Royal Photographic Society and The Great Bristol High Street book, showcases his passion for documenting the vibrancy of city life. He’s also a seasoned TV, radio and live event presenter, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in media to his projects.

Raised in South East London, Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley started as a bassist with Happy Release Records before moving to Bristol for university and to engage with the city's creative scene. In her early 20s, she became involved in Bristol’s activist community, presenting at Ujima Radio and BCFM and co-founding the Black and Green Ambassadors programme to elevate POC voices in the Green movement. Alongside this, Jasmine worked on a solo music project, Ketibu and joined bands as a backing vocalist. For the past five years, she has been a BBC Journalist and compere at events like Glastonbury’s West Holts stage, while continuing to release music under Ketibu.

The authors describe Up All Night as “a love letter to Bristol’s nightlife,” featuring candid snapshots of the venues, artists and people who form the heartbeat of the city's creative scene. Through a combination of photography, personal reflections and interviews with artists, venue owners and promoters, the book provides an authentic look at the characters and stories that make Bristol’s nightlife unique.

With nightlife culture still recovering post-pandemic, Up All Night offers a timely reflection on the energy and resilience of Bristol’s creative community. The book not only documents this key part of the city’s culture but also highlights the ongoing challenges it faces, advocating for tangible actions to support the future of Bristol's nightlife.

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley, co-author of Up All Night, said: “The project began at the tail end of the pandemic, where a big part of my life felt lost and I no longer had the creative outlet that Bristol’s nightlife gave me. I owe so much of my sense of creative identity and joy to Bristol’s music scene and creating this book with Colin gave me an outlet to express my frustrations, as well as providing a platform for others in that world to showcase their brilliance. We hope the book sparks some meaningful conversations and is a seed for better things to come.”

Colin Moody, co-author of Up All Night, said: “This book is a journey from pre-pandemic to the present. Bristol’s nightlife is crucial to the culture and economy, so we wanted to put together a love letter to the city. From youth centres which open the book at a Creative Youth Network club, to nights out of all kinds, Carnival to chaos on Turbo Island, this book explores and invites you to come out with us on this journey. The book invites viewers to enter this space: feel it, hear it, page by page.”

In addition to the book’s release, Colin and Jasmine will host three-panel discussions to address the challenges faced by artists, venues and promoters. Each panel will explore ways to improve support for the city’s nightlife scene, from policy reform to actionable steps to nurture local talent and preserve its after-dark vibrancy.

For more information on Up All Night: A Bristol Nightlife Story or to support the Kickstarter campaign, visit http://kck.st/3UeFLAv. Backers will have the opportunity to pre-order the book and be part of its journey from concept to publication.