WIN three sets of tickets to St James gigs

Sunday 09 June 2019

Three sets of two tickets are up for grabs in our competition ahead of next weekend's hip-hop and drum n bass weekender featuring acclaimed UK acts.

June will be a busy month for music fans with something almost every weekend across the genres with visiting artists as well as local talent.

Next weekend St James continues its regeneration as a live music venue for all genres. A hip-hop collective making waves in Bristol on the Friday night and a critically acclaimed live drum n bass act from the city - Dr Meaker. 

Gigs from visiting gypsy-jazz outfit the Baghdaddies earlier in the year as well as packed out nights featuring local artists have already shown the concert hall and assembly rooms can get swinging, jumping and sweaty.

With a 500 person capacity it is always a risk bringing over up and coming artists or relatively unheard of acts from the UK, but St James team are full steam ahead with the summer calendar already.

Two bookend months of the summer proper - June and October - are looking like the busiest, with something almost every weekend to gear you up and get you going. 

Video by Elliott Mariess.

Hip-hop

On 14 June St James brings over Riski and the Caravan Collective hailing from the mixed genre melting pot capital, Bristol. 

The gig features support from local group Asylum Seekas who have been performing in the island for well over a decade. It’s testament to their fanbase and skill set that they are still drawing in the crowds – even if it means some of their original fans have to find a babysitter these days. 

Their last gig at St James was in supporting Mouse Outfit whose Guernsey appearances have become legendary playing to packed out audiences each time. 

Next weekend the Bristolian acts look to bring a similar flavor to their Guernsey support act, with cheeky cultural references and tongue-in-cheek humour along with funk and soul beats. 

"The Caravan Collective is a Bristol based Hip Hop group consisting of producer, Boyce, and MC’s, MR CIA, Daysa, and Steezy D, Hip Hop Heads expressing our taste though our own unique style of Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Golden era inspired Boom Bap," said Boyce

"We formed at near the end of 2017 and started cooking up beats and jamming in our friend Hardwick’s caravan. Soon after we had our first set at the first Hip Hop Coffee Shop Sessions, where we met and associated with our close friends and affiliates at Burns Manor Records.

"Ever since we have been jamming and collaborating with the BMR family and making our print on the Bristol Hip Hop scene. We have recently released our first EP ‘The Funky Flavours of The Caravan Collective’, showcasing a taste of our unique styles and taking you on a trip through our perspective of Hip Hop," he said. 

Pictured: Caravan Collective.

Dirt and Soul

Dr Meaker has a huge online presence and reputation on the gig and festival circuit. Bringing a full live band and vocalists to perform live Drum n Bass – it’s something as has been reported that “could only have come from Bristol”. 

A genre bending set blends soulful vocals with high tempo breaks and drums as well as a brass section and MCs. There’s surely something for everyone and a riot of a way to spend a Saturday night.  The names of their latest release ‘Dirt and Soul’ is said to epitomise their sound. 

The venue should suit the line-up – which also features local DJs Weaver and Smellz as well as Blakalaska. 

Dr Meaker are Clive Meaker (producer, synths), Laurent John (vocals), Tenisha Edwards (vocals), Ben Wood (sax), Sam Brown (sax), Simon Alexander (trumpet), Tom Wheeler (drums) and Mike Prince (bass guitar). The band are joined on the album by a bevy of awesome vocalists and musicians: Yolanda Quartey (Duke Dumont, Chase & Status, Route 94), Sian Evans (DJ Fresh, Kosheen), Sharlene Hector (Basement Jaxx. Blonde), Mark Crown (Rudimental), Romaine Smith, Lorna King, Celestine and Laurent John all feature.  

Singles of theis have dominated playlists and gaining hundreds of plays across BBC Radio 1, 6Music and 1Xtra, with club DJs equally in thrall to their music, ranging from Andy C, Friction, Pendulum, Flux Pavilion, Simon Bassline Smith, Bailey, Grooverider, Doc Scott, Roni Size and most notably Bryan Gee - who discovered their productions and released two of their early singles on his legendary label V Recordings.

Pictured: Dr Meaker. 

Competition:  

WIN two sets of THREE tickets worth £80 each. To be in with the chance of winning tickets to see:

UK Hip Hop Bristol Sessions (feat. Riski, Caravan Collective, Weaver and Asylum Seekas)

Fri 14 June 

Dr Meaker (live Drum n Bass, support from Blakalaska and Smellz)

Sat 15 June  

Ska Pirate Party (Honest Crooks & Slim Pickings) 

Sat 22 June 

Answer this question by commenting on the Facebook post of this story, sending us an instant message or emailing alex@bailiwickexpress.com 

Who did Asylum Seekas last perform with at St James in November? 

A) Vole Onesie 

B) Mouse Outfit 

C) Shrew Suit