Highlights from Bristol’s unique multi-venue festival including Ugly, Mermaid Chunky, Minor Conflict and Squid.
Now in its twelfth year, Bristol’s multi-venue extravaganza Simple Things returned with its most extensive, far-reaching and bustling line-up to date. Stretching across six venues in the heart of the city, the day combined sprinting between sets, huddling from the cold and listening to some of Bristol’s best. Organised in the menagerie style, Simple Things had something for everyone. Techno fans got COBRAH, COUCOU CHLOE, and Princess Elfbar; heavy rockers got Squid and The Gnomes for some much-needed headbanging; and art-rock lovers delved into Ugly, My New Band Believe, and caroline. Completed by leading acts Shabaka, Jeremy Deller and The Avalanches, this year’s edition found Simple Things at its most electrifying.
The day began as any festival in early winter does – in the freezing cold. Stumbling into the nearest venue, Bristol’s Rough Trade, we were greeted by the lo-fi musings of London-based producer Rian Brazil. Decked out with his Pioneer controllers, laptop and over-the-eyes beanie, Rian gave us an intimate welcome to Simple Things, nervously performing some of his songs live for the first time. Clever beat mixing on tracks like ‘androgynous’ and his characteristic vocal pitching created a genre-melding experience that felt both RnB and DnB.
After a mad dash to pick up even more layers, with dropping temperatures seeming to threaten frostbitten fingers, our journey around Simple Things led us into the city’s underbelly. Heading deep down into the slightly unnerving cave system of art space, The Island, we met Squid’s curated pick, Minor Conflict. In the venue’s packed room, attentive even during the band’s meticulous soundcheck, Bristol’s own graced us with poetically infused post-punk, folk melodies. An array of instruments adorned the stage – trumpet, harp, drums, synths and bass – producing their uncanny atmospheric music that seemingly captivated the air we were all breathing in. With drifting hi-hats and nostalgic lyricism, Minor Conflict conjured images of seagulls, ‘Margate Shores’ and dispirited landscapes, a far cry from the chilly Bristol streets.
One of Simple Things’ fascinating venue additions this year was the disused department store, Debenhams. Now an uber-cool skatepark (cleverly renamed Shredenhams) the venue carries all the charm and nonchalance of a skatepark now hosting an array of musical talents. Our first hosts at Shredenhams came in the form of Australian mullet representatives, The Gnomes. Bringing “good ol’ classic rock-and-roll” (in their own words), clear-cut riffs and high energy, the band’s infectious Aussie attitude was inescapable. Songs about the rising price of cigarettes and odes to their crew and batteries muddle with clever harmonies, heavily distorted guitars, and their bassist writhing on the ground beneath our feet. Leaping guitarists and an audience grooving and headbanging in the front row made for the loudest, most exciting set of the day. The Gnomes are definitely a band to see live.
After a brief interlude overhearing experimental rock trio Big Brave and a desperate, failed attempt to get into Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Shredenhams kept us a little longer. Braving the cold wind once more, we made our furthest venture yet to Bristol Beacon to catch the ever-mesmerising, Mermaid Chunky. Full of character, whimsy and kaleidoscopic joy, visual artist duo Freya Tate and Monia Moin were the night’s most imaginative set. Spellbinding dancers frolicked across the stage in their ostentatious costumes while trippy images of lychee, porcupines and fish flashed across the projection. Illuminating the Beacon with live arrangements, recorders, kick drums and quirky, unconventional sounds, Mermaid Chunky invited us to the swamps, the stars, the caves and outer space in just under an hour.
Drawing us back, we found ourselves once again in the ‘cool’ embrace of Shredenhams to hear art-rock outfit Ugly. The skatepark’s packed front room had us all vying to get as close as possible to the six-piece. Bringing everything to their live performances, Ugly offered a lively, passionate and experimental showcase of their latest album, ‘The South Façade’. Delicate harmonies were danced between the various members, making a standout of ‘Marina’. Jasmine Miller-Sauchella’s command over the crowd resulted in a homogeneous swaying to and fro, forward and backwards, all rocking together in Ugly’s boat.
We finished the seemingly never-ending day with a sprint for festival headliners Squid, whose set at the Beacon was followed by an even faster dash to Bristol Temple Meads to catch the very last train back to London. Exhausted but satisfied, we said goodbye to Simple Things, a festival brimming with unprecedented talent, an expansive lineup, unique venues and a passion for celebrating independent contemporary music running through its veins.
