Bristol Beacon has announced new performance spaces and live events taking place at the venue this year, following a five-year transformation.
Opening on November 30, new venue 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 that have been announced include the return of Simple Things Festival for its tenth edition, following a five-year hiatus since 2019.
Bristol band This Is The Kit will also play their first concert at Beacon Hall on February 3, marking their biggest show in the city to date. The show represents a continuation of the internal program ‘Bristol Beacon presents’ which has seen the Beacon work with over 40 venues over the five years of renovation.
That week will also see a handful of shows featuring artists who have a long-standing relationship with the venue, including Jools Holland and the Bootleg Beatles, as well as a December show from Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
December will also see comedy return to the Beacon stage with announced performances by John Robins and Ross Noble.
The full reopening schedule will be announced later this year. The multidisciplinary festival Simple Things will reveal the details of its line-up and ticket sales in the coming months.
Bristol Beacon CEO Louise Mitchell said: “The team are busy putting the finishing touches on our opening season, where we will be showcasing a series of commissioned and UK premieres, and inviting all communities in our city to Beacon to explore the new spaces. , celebrating creativity and inclusivity in a way only Bristol can.”
Simple Things co-founder Thomas Frost said: “The reopening of Bristol Beacon is one of the biggest moments for the city and it will be great to be back in our spiritual home for our tenth edition.
The Beacon will be such an integral part of the Bristol music scene, championing local and grassroots artists as well as supporting projects and events across all genres of music. We are working with the team to really utilize every part of the building, which will give us a great new dynamic for our 10th anniversary.”