Joe GallopBristol Beacon has announced new performance spaces and live events taking place at the venue this year, following a five-year transformation.
Opening on 30 November, the venue’s new spaces include the 2,000-capacity Beacon Hall, the 500-capacity Lantern Hall and the new 200-capacity Weston Cellar.
The first events at the venue to have been announced include the return of Simple Things Festival for its 10th edition, following a five-year hiatus since 2019.
Bristol band This Is The Kit will also play their first Beacon Hall concert on 3 February, marking their biggest show in the city to date. The show represents a continuation of the ‘Bristol Beacon presents’ in-house programme that has seen the Beacon work with over 40 venues during the five-year refurbishment.
That week will also see a handful of shows with artists who have a long-standing relationship with the venue including Jools Holland and Bootleg Beatles, as well as a December show from Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
December will also see the return of comedy to the Beacon stage with performances announced from John Robins and Ross Noble.
The full reopening programme is set to be announced later this year. Multi-disciplinary festival Simple Things will be revealing line-up and ticketing details in the coming months.
Bristol Beacon chief executive Louise Mitchell said, “The team are busy putting the finishing touches to our opening season, where we will be showcasing a number of commissions and UK Premieres, and inviting all of our city’s communities into the Beacon to explore the new spaces, celebrating creativity and inclusivity in a way that only Bristol can.”
Simple Things co-founder Thomas Frost said, “The reopening of Bristol Beacon is one of the most significant moments for the city and it will be great to be back at our spiritual home for our 10th edition.
“The Beacon will be such an integral part of Bristol’s music scene, championing grassroots and local artists as well as supporting projects and events from every genre of music. We’re working with the team to really utilise every part of the building which will give us a great new dynamic for our tenth anniversary.”