Ritual Union: A Recap of The Diverse Day Festival That Brought The Heat To Bristol Last Weekend.

Words and Images by Libby Smith

As the sun bathed Bristol in warmth this weekend, three iconic venues opened their doors to hundreds of excited music lovers. The air buzzed with anticipation as an extraordinary line-up of talented bands and artists took to the stages for an unforgettable day of diverse musical magic.

Arriving at Rough Trade to collect my wristband and photo pass, I then wandered over to SWX to check out my first band of the day, Zalizo - and what an incredible way to kick things off!

Zalizo

Zalizo have been adorning many line-ups across Bristol over the past year and are bringing a sound that is most definitely needed in the scene.

Fronted by the captivating Ukrainian vocalist, Regina Collage, amongst her incredibly talented band members, the ensemble brought a heavy yet angelic sound to SWX. Despite not understanding the lyrics, I was immediately mesmerized by the hard-hitting instrumentals and melodies, not to mention Collage's heartfelt message which raised awareness for the ongoing tragedies in Ukraine, filling the room with supportive applause and cheers. It felt as though Zalizo did an incredible job of bringing everyone together at the beginning of the day, reflecting the real importance of events like these.

Taking a few steps over to room 2, I caught Manchester-based alternative rapper, DBL A, who packed the room with infectious, vibrant energy. Bringing an electric stage presence, accompanied by catchy indie backing instrumentals and some brilliant bars, the audience quickly filled with a sea of smiles and movement.

DBL A

Phillipe Nash was next on my radar. At Rough Trade, he transformed the dimly lit space into an intimate haven where emotions flowed freely. With his raw and vulnerable singing, Nash captivated the audience, drawing us into his world with every note. His heartfelt performance resonated deeply, and I left with my heart feeling slightly more full.

The freedom to hop from venue to venue was something that really elevated the excitement throughout the day for me, and it reflected that true festival vibe of bouncing to various stages under the gorgeous sun. Using the opportunity to bask in the heat, I made the short trip over to Strange Brew for the soulful

MT Jones, a Liverpool-based modern R&B and Jazz singer who has gained quite the name for himself for his remarkably silky voice that is able to charm an entire crowd. The room fell silent as each and every person absorbed each lyric, swaying back and forth to the stream of romantic vocals.

MT Jones

During a brief afternoon interlude, I made my way back to SWX, eager to catch the rising Dublin legends, Gurriers. As they took the stage, the SWX main room transformed into a pulsating hub of excitement, their relentless punk sound resonating not just within our city but across the UK and Ireland. Standing at the back to observe, I was captivated by the atmosphere, feeling the raw energy surge through both the crowd and the band.

Welsh ensemble CVC continued the vibes, infusing the evening with their vibrant 60s-inspired and psychedelic tunes. The energy was palpable as a sizable community of groovy rock and pop enthusiasts gathered, creating an unforgettable experience. The lively crowd was a testament to their magnetic performance, and it’s easy to see why. With a unique talent for getting people to dance and groove, CVC proved to be the perfect fit for Ritual Union, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement.

Bristol's own, My First Time, graced room 2 for a set of raw, unforgiving vocals and incredible talent oozing from each band member. I can only describe it as another intimate setting, seeing people of all ages bopping shoulders and letting loose to the post-punk group.

Before the highly anticipated headliner, Billy Nomates, I ran over to Strange Brew for their final act of the night, Wings of Desire. Harnessing the power of visual arts, true creative expression, and pure indie rock, Wings of Desire are the epitome of meaningful indie music. The duo combines their love for sound and cinema to create something that successfully stands apart from the rest, a project that begs to be shared with the world - and with a room full of strangers dancing together in Bristol.

Navigating my way back through the excited chatter of music lovers, I found myself slap bang in the middle of SWX once again, this time for the one and only Billy Nomates, who was headlining the entire event.

Billy Nomates

Renowned for electrifying tracks like 'No' and 'Petrol Fumes', Billy Nomates is at the forefront of the contemporary indie scene. This was evident as the venue quickly filled with an eager crowd, ready to be swept away by her performance. And what a performance it was! Being a genuine and unfiltered artist, with inspirations such as the legendary Sleaford Mods, Billy Nomates is not just a musician; she's a force of nature. Her authenticity shines through in every note, inspiring and captivating the audience as she takes them on a journey with her music. Each song she performed held the room's complete attention, drawing listeners into her world.

With lyrics that cut to the core, Billy tackles themes of self-identity and staying true in a world filled with deception. Her words resonate deeply with fans, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after the last chord is struck. Coupled with infectious instrumentals, her enchanting stage presence transforms each performance into an unforgettable experience. The energy in the venue was palpable, as the audience absorbed the powerful messages she delivered.

Billy Nomates is more than just a performer; she is a captivating talent that electrifies every venue she graces. If you have the chance to see her live, don’t miss it.

Concluding this year's Ritual Union with such a captivating performance truly encapsulated the spirit of the day. As I made my way home, I felt fulfilled with the sheer amount of talent I had witnessed in one day, spanning all across the Indie and Rock genres. The vibrant atmosphere and the incredible musicians on display left a mark on my memory. If you have the chance to join in the festivities next year, don't hesitate—it's a wonderful opportunity to see some of the best bands in the scene, drink some pints and dart around our cities iconic venues!

Gurriers