We invite friends to shout about what they’re into each month. This month: Daryn Carter of Bristol Pride!
More on them at:
bristolpride.co.uk
facebook.com/brispride
Little Boots
Victoria Hesketh, aka Little Boots, is going to bring something special to Pride this year. Shortly after her 2008 arrival, she won the BBC’s Sound Of 2009 poll and hit song ‘Remedy’ was everywhere. I remember seeing her at Anson Rooms and she was fantastic. Pride wasn’t about then and timings hadn’t worked out to bring her on board until recently, but it still feels wrong that it’s taken so long to get her onto our Main Stage!
She’s remained experimental and outspoken, fusing massive pop hooks onto electronic soundscapes with her latest album inspired by her own journey through the industry – from those early beginnings to the present. Now effectively the CEO of her own business and running an independent label, she’s been using her clout to speak out about sexism in the music biz, which I think is really important. Besides, following a recent cover of Ace Of Base’s ‘All That She Wants’, we all know what I’m less-than-secretly hoping she performs this year…
Bright Light Bright Light
Welsh boy Rod Thomas first performed at Bristol Pride in 2010 and has since opened for both Erasure and Scissor Sisters. Sir Elton John loved his work so much that they dueted together and signed him up for his 2015 world tour. It feels odd to be so proud, but I genuinely am and he’s just such a nice guy too. New album Choreography is released a mere week after his headline performance at the Pride Afterparty and name checks include Sir Elton, Alan Cumming, all Scissor Sisters members and even The Wiz Live star Mykal Kilgore. He’s promised something very special for us.
Wildflowers
I’m really excited to see what this Bristol band have in store for us. The trio, comprised of sisters Siddy and Kit Bennett plus guitarist James Ashbury, can practically play an orchestra between them. Siddy has one of ‘those voices’ that’s quite hard to describe; both husky and full of honey all at once. They blew me away many years ago at Harbour Festival and have since toured with Tom Odell and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, plus a slot at Glastonbury. Their style is West Coast americana meets British folk; breezy, supremely melodic and perfectly capturing the summer festival vibe. I’ll be back stage with my walkie-talkie off for this one.
Catch these acts and more during Bristol Pride. Taking place 1 – 10 July. For tickets and information, head here.