We’ve got another glorious bank holiday coming up, which means this week has even more promise than usual. Try – if you can – to cram in all of the sausages, psychedelia, cider, folk and funk that we wholly endorse.
Akala, Colston Hall, Mon 27 Apr, £12.50
UK hip hop artist, journalist and founder of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company, one of the UK’s key voices of the UK art scene and rap world makes his way to Colston Hall's Lantern space.
Moon Duo, The Exchange, Tue 28 Apr, £12
Portland's celebrated psych two-piece play The Exchange in support of their latest release, 'Shadow of the Sun'. Dreamy stuff.
Rozi Plain, Thekla, Wed 29 Apr, £8
Although originally hailing from Winchester, this lady's got solid roots in Bristol waters, as a founding member of the Cleaner Records collective. She's one of us, which is why she'll be welcomed on board at Thekla with arms open wide. Support comes from Glasglow four-piece Babe.
Spike Island Open, Spike Island, Fri 1 - Mon 4 May, Free
A definite authority within the city's talented pool of creative bods, Spike Island opens its doors this weekend to let you delve into the studios of its artists, designers and practitioners, with plenty of exhibitions, pop-up cafes and crafts to keep you amused.
Bristol Food Connections, Fri 1 – Sat 9 May, Prices vary
From talks with Michael Rosen and advice on how to be a food writer, to kids’ cooking lessons and honey tasting, simply head to our preview or tap ‘Bristol Food Connections’ into the search bar above, and you’ll find HEAPS of great stuff to do this week.
Bristol Psych Fest, Stag and Hounds, Sat 2 May, Free
An all-dayer of fuzzing, swirling psychedelia from the likes of Os Noctambulos, Dusty Mush, Fruit Tones, Melt Dunes, The Spankeeds and more, along with record stalls, screen-printed paraphernalia and DJs spinning psych tunes. Best of all: it’s completely free.
Bristol Cider and Sausage Festival, Trinity Centre, Sat 2 – Sun 3 May, Afternoon ticket £5, Evening ticket £10
By partnering two of our favourite things in the whole world, it seems we're absolute suckers for the Bristol Cider and Sausage Festival. Now in its fifth year, the weekend promises over 40 varieties of new season cider and perry, music and a cider-themed BBQ. Sold.
Bristol Folk Festival, St George's, Sat 2 - Sun 3 May, Day ticket £37
A weekend of live music, workshops, stalls, talks, impromptu ceilidhs and regional food and drink may not make this festival a direct competitor to Glastonbury, but it is a lovely, family-friendly weekend that also boasts well-known UK folk singer Seth Lakeman as its patron.
Independent Label Market, St Nicks, Sun 3 May, Free
The Independent Label Market makes its Bristol debut, commandeering the glass walkway of St Nick's Market to showcase the cream of the Bristolian crop - featuring the likes of Ninja Tune, Hypercolour, Idle Hands, Pressure Sounds, Cosmic Bridge and others.
Craig Charles: Court of Funk, Old Crown Courts, Sun 3 May, £12
No work on Monday morning? Party down with the modern-day King of Funk and Soul, as he grooves out in the Old Crown Courts.