The Everyday Gig Review Roundup (April '22)

This April feels like a gateway to what (we hope) will be a long-missed summer of live music and events. Parks have been filled with more people than we remember live in the city, and beer, football and barbecues are a thing again. Still, that doesn’t stop us from wanting to cram into dark, sweaty venues to get our ears around the most exciting musical talent we could find!

First up this month, music editor Fran heads to Crofters Rights for an all-Bristol crunchy rock and funk-infused indie lineup, then culture editor Kerry Mead and Von Cake are in Bristol again to sample the delights being offered up by the new kid on the block, Propyard, for their Easter weekend taste of festival in the city, Hopyard.

Ill Spooks - Minor Conflict - Bible Club @ Crofter’s Rights

Friday, April 15 2022

Words by Fran Pope, images by Fritz Koch (@fritzkoch_)

Taking in noise rock, experimental indie and something called post-gaze, Friday’s gig at the Crofter’s Rights featured Bible Club with support from Ill Spooks and Minor Conflict. Three Bristol bands, three different vibes and a very friendly crowd made for a seriously enjoyable night.

Ill Spooks

Jump-starting the night with raucous energy, the band were already in full swing when I arrived (a little late, accidentally and entirely my own loss), closely packed audience bumping and headbanging along. Packing in a huge sound for just three band members, Ill Spooks’ set list slid from wonderfully woozy and dank to full-on, thrashing guitar rock, with a lot of crunch and distortion in between. Unapologetically loud, no holds barred, and a lot of fun.

Find Ill Spooks on YouTube and Instagram.

Minor Conflict

Enigmatic Bristol three-piece Minor Conflict rock an atypical set-up of harp, bass, drums and trumpet, resulting in something compelling and entirely their own. Over this off-kilter instrumental grounding, peppy spoken lyrics by all three members were set alongside classical-esque vocals, which began fluted and smooth and morphed into a lightning rod of attitude. I felt like I was in an edgy underground club in 1980s New York, and I loved it. Brighter and cosier than it sounds on paper, their music felt curiously accessible while still entirely off the beaten track, fusing jazz, funk, indie rock and shades of something haunting and folky. At any given point in their set, I still had no idea what to expect. Minor Conflict were new to my ears, and such a treat.

Minor Conflict will be supporting Quade live on May 6, 2022 at the Crypt under The Mount Without - tickets here.

Their latest track, “Office Block,” appears on the Slow Dance ’21 album. Get your copy (digital or cassette) on Bandcamp.

Bible Club

Headliners Bible Club rounded out the night with a smashy, sweaty, brilliant set that probably shook the windows two streets away. Promoting their debut single “Mr. Lizard” (recorded with Jim Barr of Portishead and released on April 11), the band have played recent gigs at Zed Alley, Strange Brew, the Louisiana and The Lanes, as well as Crofter’s Rights.

Hands-down one of the most fun rock/punk bands I’ve ever seen live, they killed it with track after hair-slinging track, with scuzzy and towering guitars, a drummer so energetic he was more or less a blur, and a lot of trippy, poetic yelling.

As a refreshing counterpoint, their sweet on-stage banter brought a real warmth, which extended to the crowd: I got the sense that there were a lot of friends, family and loyal fans there, but never once did it feel exclusive. One song was dedicated to one of the member’s dads, and they had us all chanting “Andy! Andy!” as if we were all personal friends of his. In a nice show of horizontality, the guitarist and the drummer both took a turn on vocals, instruments changed hands, and all the members chipped in to chat to the audience and thank everyone for being there.

For the final song, Mr. Lizard himself (not to be confused with a shirtless guy in a lizard mask, obviously) made an appearance, taking to the stage to deliver a harmonica solo. This was followed by an encore in which five or six of (who I assume were) the bands’ mates, including at least one member of Ill Spooks, got up on stage for a chaotic and hilarious take on “Hey Baby.” My fears for their safety – they frequently looked about to go crashing into the drumkit – turned out to be unfounded and everyone came out unscathed, if a little dishevelled. Truly one of those sets where, once it ends, you can’t help turning to any strangers within earshot just to agree on how freaking great it was.

Check out Bible Club’s website, Facebook and Instagram for all the latest.

Hopyard Craft Beer Festival at Propyard. Thursday 14th and Friday 15th April

Words by Kerry Mead and Von Cake, images by Von Cake.

Based in two disused MOD torpedo testing hangars near Motion; spearheaded by local promoters who know their stuff, music and arts space Propyard has just landed and it is set to put St Philips on the map again. Heralding the start of the summer season Propyard put on a ‘two-day celebration of beers, beats and eats’ over Easter weekend. Featuring ales from the cream of Bristol’s craft breweries, the best street food the city has to offer and live sets from King of Notting Hill Carnival Norman Jay MBE, DJ Yoda and others, it was always destined to be a banger.

We arrived just before sunset to find a packed courtyard with a definite sun-soaked bank-holiday vibe. Everything from the smiling and slightly sunkissed punters, low bedouin tents slung with creamy-hued light garlands, smoke wafting from the various food stalls scattered around and orderly queues waiting to sample another tankard of something delicious was like a promise of what Summer 2022 should bring. After a surprisingly swift visit to the main bar to pick up the first of many halves (they even had gluten-free offerings to my absolute joy), and a quick chat with Propyard owner Jamie, I was off to search out the music.

Sadly we missed the support DJs, but shortly after we arrived in the main tent Norman Jay hit the decks. Any party he touches is guaranteed to turn to gold, and Norman Jay definitely brought more than a taste of carnival to the Feeder Road. Playing a ranging set encompassing everything from a Bob Marley/Human League mashup to some crazily good drum n bass, via wedding party vibes and Barry White, he deftly worked the mixed crowd, where everyone from groups of twenty-something partiers to bearded middle-aged ale drinkers barely took a seat for the next three hours.

Saturday evening lent a similar vibe - The mood was as mellow and nice as the day before. We were remembered at the gate and felt welcomed into a friendly family affair. DJ Format played some chilled hip hop, then a bit of souly jazz, then back to the hip hop again. Headliner DJ Yoda then came on and the tent quickly filled up to the brim with a nice mix of ages and types in the crowd.

Propyard provides a slice of festival atmosphere in the middle of the city. If Hopyard was anything to go by, Propyard is going to become the preferred destination for any Bristolian seeking out a laid back, friendly crowd to while away city summer afternoons and evenings with. We can’t wait to sample what arts and culture events Propyard is offering as well - but if their parties are anything to go by, Jamie and team are onto a winner.