Simple Things 2016 Review: Charlotte Church Steals The Show

Simple Things 2016

This was the 6th outing for the venue hopping Bristol festival known as Simple Things and yet again they proved why its one of the best day and nights for music that Bristol has to offer.

The diversity of music is ridiculous. Fancy a bit of metal? Well just pop over to the Gryphon. Bit of techno? It’s off to the Firestation and Lakota.

Spending 16 hours stumbling between some of Bristol’s best venues is always a joy with this joint undertaking from Crack Magazine, Love Saves The Day and Colston Hall. The only problem is somehow managing to catch as many of the acts as possible. With 18 venues to choose from there’s always going to be a slight issue trying to carve up your Bristol party time properly. But first world problems eh?

Colston Hall was transformed from its relatively formal building into a bustling hive of musical activity with Bristolians crammed in across all of its floors. Looking over Bristol on the Colston Hall terrace as Bristol favourites, Pardon My French dropped their usual array of house and disco bangers you really appreciate just how awesome Simple Things is.

Abra played a storming set in SWX but the venue was far too quiet to really emphasise her brilliant sounds. With the Darkwave Duchess even leaving the stage until the music was turned up at one point.

The Firestation continued to be the best place to catch some of the smaller acts and the outside (smoked filled) Courtyard is always one of our favourites at Simple Things. Marcus Nasty’s brand of wonky-grime had the place going off during his set. At the same time, the Kelly Twins smashed the Crown Court, making it incredibly difficult to decide who to watch. To top it off, Danish DJ – Courtesy was playing a huge set in the Firestation as people packed in towards the end to get ready for Nina Kraviz highly anticipated set.

Nina really could have done with a bigger venue as the queue was outrageous, however she didn’t disappoint. Teklife DJ’s set in the Old Crown Courts were outstanding, opening up with a footwork tempo edit of Voodoo Ray which was pretty special.

Warpaint, who kicked off the UK leg of their tour with a superb and bewitching set in the main room of the Colston Hall.

 

But now we have to get to the highlight of the weekend. The unexpectedly incredible Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon. Remember that clean faced classical singer you knew from the early 2000s? Yeah she’s fucked off and been replaced by a wedding dress clad, ‘Killing In The Name Of’ singing hero.

The foyer was completely packed and filled with chants of ‘Charlotte, Charlotte Fucking Church’ as she came on stage.

She belted some absolute bangers from R Kelly, Nine Inch Nails and Destiny’s Child but her cover of ‘En Vogue – Don’t Let Go’ had Colston Hall wailing together, it was the absolute highlight of Simple Things.

 

 

The annual tradition of hundreds of people descending en-masse to get into Lakota once Colston Hall finished continued in its 6th year. However this year the chants of ‘Don’t let go’ from ‘Churchees’ made the pilgrimage that much better. As usual once you finally got into Lakota, it was fantastic. Save for the rather sweaty bouncer who kept trying to goose people as they went past…. Anyone who arrived after 3am will know what we’re talking about there…

Ben UFO’s 3 hour set was absolutely incredible, but that’s to be expected isn’t it?

A special note to DJ October who played some beautiful disco at 5.30am in Coroners Court 2. The perfect end to an epic day. Top job Simple Things!