Annie Mac confirmed as Bristol Sounds Saturday headliner 2024

Bristol Sounds has announced Annie Mac as its final headliner, completing the full line-up of back-to-back gigs this summer. She will be performing on Saturday 29 June, with support acts soon to be announced for the full-day party.

Bringing a dynamic set and unparalleled ability to create an atmosphere of total ecstasy, Bristol Sounds-goers can expect nothing but smash-hits and dance-pop beats as they bask in the sun.

From all-day gigs to night-long celebrations, Bristol Sounds will commence on Saturday 22 and run until Sunday 30 June, bringing some of the biggest names in rock, pop, reggae and dance to Bristol for seven nights of music-magic. Other headliners include Skindred, Gentleman's Dub Club vs The Skints, James Arthur, Busted, The Breeders and the now sold-out Placebo.

Sign up for pre-sale by clicking here to avoid missing out on Annie Mac!

OUR MARCH ISSUE IS OUT NOW!

You'll love our marvellous March magazine, which has a slightly new feel and format, and features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. 

Features include expert advice to help hone your home office design; a local fashion brand's journey to making an appearance on BBC show Gladiators; we feel funky with trombonist Dennis Rollins as he recalls his journey to jazz; tuck into BANK's roast dinner in Totterdown, plus so much more!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Guinness Soda Bread

This super-simple Guinness soda bread is the perfect malty accompaniment to Irish stew, Irish fish chowder and/or Irish cheeses, making it well worthy of a spotlight role in a St Patrick's Day feast on Sunday 17 March.

Ingredients (makes 1 loaf)

200g plain flour
550g wholemeal flour
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp soft dark brown sugar
300ml Guinness
220ml buttermilk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 230°C/gas mark 8 and lightly grease a 900g loaf tin with vegetable oil.

2. Tip the plain flour, wholemeal flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and soft brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir well with a fork until thoroughly combined.

3. Add the Guinness and the buttermilk to the bowl and mix well to form a rough dough (fingers are your most useful tool here!). Tip the dough onto a lightly-floured work surface and fold the mixture together gently until it forms a fat sausage, roughly the size of the tin.

4. Place the dough into the greased loaf tin and, with wet hands, pat down and smooth the top into the edges. Set aside for 10 minutes to rest.

5. Bake the loaf in the hot oven for 10 minutes before reducing the oven temperature to 180c/gas mark 4 and baking for another 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the base sounds hollow when tapped.

6. Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack and allowing the loaf to cool completely before slicing.

From the Dolomites to the bays of Sicily, Italy's topographic makeup lends itself perfectly to wine production. As a result of her physique Italy boasts a myriad of different soils and climates. Adding to the equation a plethora of indigenous grape varieties, each harvest yields an abundance of diverse and fascinating wine styles. Italy is further blessed with many dedicated and passionate winemakers and vine growers. Here are our top 5 from The Bristol Magazine:

greatwine.co.uk

New Jack Daniel's at Filthy XIII

To celebrate the launch of Jack Daniel’s new Bonded Rye Whiskey, Filthy XIII in St Andrews has hand-crafted the ‘Neon Rebound’ which, made with Jack Daniel’s, is a cranberry and raspberry-based cocktail, with notes of orange blossom running through, served with a raspberry garnish.

The new Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye is a Tennessee Rye Whiskey bottled at 100 proof (50% alc. by vol.), and is the first rye whiskey from the Jack Daniel Distillery with the Bottled-in-Bond designation and represents a line of innovative expressions that honours the distillery’s heritage of whiskey-making excellence. As a bottled-in-bond whiskey, Bonded Rye is revered for its unparalleled quality and delivers exceptional taste and consistency.

The whiskey has a grain bill of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley and is charcoal mellowed before aging in new, handmade American white oak barrels. Tasting notes comprise sweet dried fruit, followed by hints of toffee and caramel to provide a bold, complex, and balanced taste with a rye spice finish.

Pop in to Filthy XIII to sample a Neon Rebound and do try its excellent small plates and hot dogs while you’re there.

For more information, visit jackdaniels.com

The New Speedmaster Moonwatch

The Speedmaster Moonwatch is one of the world’s most iconic timepieces. Having been a part of all six moon landings, the legendary chronograph is an impressive representation of the brand’s adventurous pioneering spirit.

Presented on a polished-brushed bracelet, this 42 mm Moonwatch in stainless steel features sapphire crystal glass on the front as well as on the caseback.

Inspired by the 4th generation Speedmaster style worn on the moon, it also includes an asymmetrical case, a white lacquered step dial with applied OMEGA logo and indexes, Moonwatch style hands, and a black black ceramic Tachymeter bezel.

The watch is driven by the manual wind, anti magnetic OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, which powers the small seconds sub-dial, 30-minute recorder and 12-hour recorder, along with the central chronograph function and the movement can be appreciated through the sapphire crystal caseback. Shown here with the brushed and polished steel bracelet (£7,600) however there’s also black leather with contrast stitching and a rubber strap options is available. A classic timepiece.

Contact Mallory to find out more about the new Speedmaster Moonwatch and many more OMEGA timepieces. 

L'Occitane Almond premium Easter Egg gift set | £25

Treat yourself and loved ones with L'Occitane's Almond Premium Beauty Easter Egg 2024 filled with a bath and body treat from its iconic Almond collection.

Enjoy the deliciously addictive scent and luxurious texture of those two bestseller products, made with sustainably sourced almonds from the South of France.

Combining the natural firming and nourishing properties of almonds, this egg-cellent set includes:
• 250ml Almond Shower Oil
• 30ml Almond Delicious Hands
• in an egg shape box.

For more information and to purchase click here.

Rains Rolltop Rucksack at John Lewis | Black £105.00

Rains Rolltop Rucksack is a city staple, perfect for commutes on bike or foot. The look is characterized by a tactile strap, signature carabiner and rolltop opening. 

The waterproof bag also features a side-access laptop pocket, front zip pocket and padded back panel. Cycle-ready features include a front D-ring ideal for holding bike locks and a buckle-fastened chest strap for a secure ride-proof fit. 

Rolltop Rucksack is cut in Rains signature waterproof PU fabric, engineered for carrying strength, durability, and a smooth feel.

Click here to purchase from the John Lewis website. 

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The first issue of fashion brand documentary magazine Griffé (‘fashion as told by its labels’) focused on Maison Margiela and lasted approximately five minutes on our shelves. We’re pleased to say the second instalment has arrived, this time looking at the story of the house of Mugler, from its inception to the present day. It details the strategies the label has implemented over the decades, the challenges it’s had to meet and the crises it has overcome. Griffé has expanded in both physical dimensions and extent (there’s an extra 50 pages), making it a must-own series for followers of fashion, students and industry professionals. | £35

magalleria.co.uk

Beauty Social at Harvey Nichols Bristol

Join Harvey Nichols Bristol as they host a beauty-filled evening of expert talks, masterclasses and makeovers on 21 March. 

Reawaken your beauty regime for spring at the biggest beauty event of the season, The Beauty Social.

Discover beauty tips and tricks, as well as the latest trends and product launches to breathe new life into your beauty cupboard. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco and the chance to 'Spin the Lipstick' to win an on-the-spot beauty prize. Plus, receive a complimentary beauty goody bag to take home.

Tickets £10 per person. 

6.30pm–9pm 
Click here to book your tickets. 

Rave On for the Avon - Make Waves Together

The much-anticipated documentary Rave On for the Avon, by EightySita Productions, is set to premiere on 23 March at PYTCH’s hanger venue in Brislington.

The movie showcases a diverse range of people who both cherish and defend the river, highlighting the significant loses that could result from ongoing pollution of the Avon. It aims to convey a pressing message about the critical state of the River Avon and how much locals rely on it for health and wellbeing.

It is a Bristol community story, serving as a call to action for audiences to advocate for policy reforms in the UK and internationally.

Following the screening, join in for a lively Q&A session with Becca, Eva and Em the co-founders of Conham Bathing, the visionary director Charlotte Sawyer, and campaigner Johnny Palmer. Estate agent House + Co Property has partnered with the documentary ahead of its launch.

If your community group is interested in hosting a local screening of Rave On for the Avon, then sign up to the mailing list eightysita.com/raveonfortheavondocumentary.

6pm–11.30pm
PYTCH, 1, Skyline Park, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5EN, UK
Click here to purchase tickets for the premiere. 

Dementia-friendly cinema club at Trymview Hall care home

Join Trymview Hall care home every third Thursday for a dementia-friendly cinema club from 2pm–4pm. 

There will be a showcase of classic films and documentaries that will bring back fond memories for you and your loved ones. 

Enjoy hot and cold refreshments in the café throughout the screening, as well as regular interval breaks. 

To attend call 0117 911 5745 or email nicole.anderson@careuk.com

Here To There Productions presents 'Hedda'

After a highly successful inaugural run in Malvern last year, Here To There Productions take their inspired adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic story Hedda with a UK tour, visiting Bristol on 17–20 April. 

Written by Here To There Productions’ Company Director, Andrew Whittle, this exciting new interpretation of one of theatre’s most revered plays was hailed a triumph by both critics and audience alike, enjoying a near sell-out run at The Coach House Theatre in Malvern.

It is a complex tale of female power, jealousy and manipulation, of drunkenness and sexual weakness, of competition between the sexes that shocked audiences in the 1890s, yet still resonates today.

Tobacco Factory Theatres, Raleigh Road, Southville
Click here for more information. 

University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Easter Sculpture Festival

Immerse yourself in the world of art and nature with the Easter Sculpture Festival that takes place in the Botanic Garden on 29 March–1 April.

This festival aims to showcase the harmony between human creativity and the natural world with unique hand crafted sculptures, interactive workshops and family-friendly activities.

Visitors will also get a chance to have a go at art in the form of willow weaving, wood turning, stone carving and pottery. This year, art students from the University of West England will also be exhibiting ceramic slugs and a prehistoric creature.

Refreshments will be provided by Chandos Deli. Book online in advance or pay by card on the gate (cash cannot be accepted).

Bristol City vs Tottenham

Enjoy the ideal day out for the family and some top class women's football on 24 March at Ashton Gate Stadium.

Kick off at 2pm. Tickets are on sale so don't miss out on this great game and secure your seats!

Click here to purchase tickets. 

Photo credit Petra Dilthey & Uli Schwarz.

Crisis unfolding: child marriage surges across rural Ethiopia

Imagine being a parent, believing you have no alternative but to marry your daughter off?

Ethiopia has seen a 239% increase in child marriage, with many girls marrying as young as 11. Consecutive failed wet seasons and a devastating civil conflict have left families starving.

£10 can help transform a life, donate today.

Will you help reverse the terrifying rise in child marriages? Go to Ethiopiaid.org.uk to find out more or call us on 01225 476 385.

Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms

Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms is a design, supply and installation bathroom company with a huge reputation in the Bristol area. 

Working closely with his clients, Paul is able to deliver cleverly designed bathrooms and wetrooms, expertly installed by his experienced team of fitters. 

With 3D design layouts to help with decision making and project management through the course of the works, Paul Whittaker makes bathroom renovations easy and stress-free.

Showroom by appointment at Bathroom Solutions, 54 Redcliff Street, Bristol BS1 6LS;  0117 2230086 / 07879 666221; paulwhittakerbathrooms.co.uk

Bell Horse Lane, West Harptree, Bristol, BS40

Offered for sale by Knight Frank estate agents

A stunning renovation of an 18th century detached cottage situated in an elevated setting commanding one of the best views over Chew Valley Lake.

Bell Horse Cottage is believed to date from the mid 1700s. The present owners purchased the property in 2017 when in need of complete modernisation. Although the cottage was virtually razed to the ground, the original walls were retained, the cottage extended, and the accommodation intelligently re-designed to take complete advantage of its setting and views. 

Emphasis is given to light, semi-open plan rooms where a traditional atmosphere blends with the contemporary. There are views from all windows over the surrounding countryside, the majority of which also have a lake view.

There are engineered English oak and porcelain tile floors, vaulted timber ceilings in the vestibule and office, a log burning stove in the sitting room, purpose designed and hand-crafted ash and beech kitchen with walk-in pantry and integrated appliances, and French doors open from the dining area to the raised terrace.

This property has 3–4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3–4 reception rooms, and private parking. 

An especially designed oak staircase with elegant fine spindles rises to a gallery landing on the first floor. There are double glazed windows in powder coated aluminium frames, and under floor heating to the ground floor, and to the two first floor shower rooms. | Guide Price: £1,200,000

For more information and images visit the Knight Frank website by clicking here.