Amid a challenging era for grassroots music, the Bristol Beacon is stepping up with initiative to foster local talent. Through a new six-month residency, the storied music venue aims to provide time, space, and resources for emerging artists to grow.
This residency is just the latest in a suite of programs offered by the Beacon, including workshops, intensives, and mentorships. With support from the PRS Foundation—“the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development”—artists gain access to studio space, professional guidance, and financial assistance. Every Tuesday, they can create music in dedicated studio time, while collaborating with like-minded creatives.
The venue claims to be “making space for the scene. For the artists, producers, managers and music industry professionals of the future to create, collaborate, grow and glow.”
The residency’s first cohort showcases the breadth of Bristol’s thriving music scene.
Grove, a producer and vocalist, is already making waves with their electrifying fusion of dance, grime, and punk ethos. Known for deep electronic synths underpinning spoken-word lyrics, Grove’s work channels rebellion and empowerment. Their Glastonbury performance with collaborator ej.akin and a recent Boiler Room set have cemented their status as a boundary-pushing artist.
“It’s the holy trinity of time, space, and money that is so useful for us as artists,” Grove told the BBC, reflecting on the residency’s significance.
Holysseus Fly, the alias of Holly Wellington, brings a distinctly atmospheric sound to the program. A former keyboardist and singer for the Ishmael Ensemble, Wellington’s solo work combines haunting vocals with piano and synth strings, drawing inspiration from artists like James Blake and Florence Welch.
A breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 marked a turning point in her artistic journey. Since then, she’s performed at Glastonbury and Forwards Bristol, opened for Nick Mulvey, and completed a residency at Snape Maltings. Known for her dynamic stage presence and lush production, Wellington described her musical philosophy: “For me, the piano and vocal are the most important. I want my sound to be both minimal and bold.”
The trio is rounded out by Waldo’s Gift, an instrumental band blending electronic textures with rock influences in a jazz-esque experimental way. Their intricate compositions build hypnotically, with twisted guitar riffs and scattering drum beats creating a sound that’s both inventive and approachable. Reactions to their music on youtube especially praise the refreshing sound of their innovation.
Drummer James Vine emphasised the program’s transformative impact. “It’s the difference between being able to do this viably as a career or not, so it means everything to us,” he told the BBC. The band’s debut album, Malcolm’s Law, drops on January 25, 2025.
The significance of Bristol Beacon’s efforts extends beyond the individual artists it supports. Grassroots music has struggled in the wake of the pandemic, with economic pressures squeezing both venues and musicians. Programs like this residency not only secure the future of new music but also foster a sense of community.
Music, after all, is an undeniable force for bringing people together. Whether it’s Grove’s fiery dance anthems, Holysseus Fly’s ethereal soundscapes, or Waldo’s Gift’s inventive riffs, these artists are shaping a scene that thrives on connection and innovation.
As larger venues like Glasgow’s OVO Hydro implement levies to sustain grassroots initiatives, Bristol Beacon’s residency program offers a blueprint for nurturing talent at its source. The impact, as the first wave of participants is proving, will, with any luck, be felt for years to come.
