Matt Barnes
Groove Village Festival 2026
Lacross Club’s frenzied punk-rock set ends with the band on the floorPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
If you like punk, M/X are one to watchPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Festival organiser Andy Wilkinson earned his nickname after breaking the rules to crowdsurf at a Knives gigPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Valley Fest 2026
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Yard Act at Rough Trade Bristol
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
ALDOUS HARDING at BRISTOL BEACON
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
It was a New Zealand double bill with Vera Ellen supporting HardingPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The indie-folk songwriter is touring in her support of latest album Train on the IslandPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS at TRINITY
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Lena Hibbert embraces and embodies her father’s energy with her live performancePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The band has far too many hits and the whole venue is a dancefloorPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
At the end of the set Lena is joined onstage by an excited crowd memberPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Outer Town Festival 2026
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Jamie Macmillan & Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
JENS LEKMAN at STRANGE BREW
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The band is dressed formally, in wedding attirePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Lekman plays from his latest album, Songs for Other People’s WeddingsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
On a Pier, On the Hudson is a dance track with a melancholy story at its corePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Lekman’s lyrics tug at the heartstringsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
HEAVY LUNGS at THE LOUISIANA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Milo’s Planes are fronted by Joe Sherrin, the singer with Bristol band Mould which plays a sold out show at Crofters at the beginning of MarchPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The band took the opportunity to try out some new materialPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Danny Nedelko, immortalised in an Idles song, never fails to put on a good showPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The band have cult status in BristolPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The sweaty high energy gig is the perfect antidote to the January bluesPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Band and audience got involved in the crowdsurfPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
DOMINIE HOOPER at EXCHANGE
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
DOREEN DOREEN at ELECTRIC BRISTOL
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Carol Whitworth takes her throne centrestagePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
‘Leave your ego at the door and get on the dancefloor’Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
What for many is Bristol’s one true Christmas party raged for two consecutive nights at ElectricPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
MILLION DEAD at ELECTRIC BRISTOL
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Oswald Slain at Jam Jar Bristol
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Simple Things Festival 2025
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
NOVA TWINS at ELECTRIC BRISTOL
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
BILLY NOMATES at ELECTRIC BRISTOL
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Tor sounded better than everPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Forwards Festival 2025
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
IDLES BLOCK PARTY at QUEEN SQUARE
Lambrini Girls vocalist Polly LunnyPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Circle pits abound early doorsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The energy is already high when punk duo Soft Play take the stagePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Soft Play: fighting fitPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
It’s never too early for a crowd surf….Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
It’s a celebratory return for Bristol’s favourite sonsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
IDLES even made a fan’s dream come true tonightPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Their third guitarist did not disappointPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
PRIMA QUEEN & LILO at Thekla
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
EZRA FURMAN took over ROUGH TRADE in BRISTOL
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
KNIVES at THEKLA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
A barrage of punk-rock: Knives also feature saxophone and violinPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Screaming sax adds to the relentless chaos and power on stagePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
DOMINIE HOOPER at EXCHANGE
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Moya Silk and band opened the night with some lo-fi grunge-rockPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Born near Dartmoor in Devon, Hooper takes inspiration from the landscape and her childhood therePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Hooper augments her set with cello which, in the cosy environs of the Exchange basement, filled the stagePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
MANIC STREET PREACHERS at BRISTOL BEACON
The Manics celebrated the release of their 15th studio album Critical ThinkingPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Nobody quite does euphoric despair as well as the Manics doPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Outer Town Festival 2025
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Ritual Union Festival 2025
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
THE DARKNESS at BRISTOL BEACON
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
The Darkness at Bristol Beacon
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Getdown Services at Loves Cafe
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
DO NOTHING at THE LOUISIANA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Do Nothing singer Chris Bailey: ‘vigorously expressive’Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Kasper Sandstrøm: making the most of those effects and a quality stank-facePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
PEACH at THE LOUISIANA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
the Bath/Bristol trio call their sound ‘fast and loose post-jank’Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
SHLUG: he worst pants in rock and roll?Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
One fan ended up taking on guitar duties for Shlug at the end of their setPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Ellie Godwin’s vocal talents shine, putting Peach firmly in the ‘one to watch’ categoryPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Catch them next at the Exchange on April 17Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
MOULD / MP3 CHAINSAW / LIFTER / HAMBURGER at STRANGE BREW
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Hamburger released their latest EP, Beat Back the Ghouls, at the end of last year via Bristol’s Specialist Subject RecordsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Lifter say they ‘proudly take musical cues from a diverse range of sources, including slowcore, folk, country, and indie rock’Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
MP3 Chainsaw’s ‘maximalist pop’ is gaining them widespread attention; they’ll be performing at Ritual Union festival in MarchPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Rock trio Mould are starting to make waves and will be playing an Independent Venues Week show at acclaimed venue Paper Dress Vintage in LondonPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The trio gave their all to the gig, a demonstration of their relentless high energyPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
DOREEN DOREEN at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
The Horrors at Strange Brew
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Remi Wolf at O2 Academy Bristol
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Sports Team at Trinity Hall
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
KATY J PEARSON at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Bristol has adopted Katy as one of its own; originally from Cirencester, she made many trips to play the city’s grassroots venues when launching her music career as a teenagerPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
SKINNY LISTER at THEKLA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Uplifting acoustic folk from Ben Brown kicked off the nightPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Skinny Lister are a high energy bunch, with dancing and crowd surfing galorePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
ENGLISH TEACHER at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
English Teacher singer Lily astounded the crowd with her impressive vocal rangePhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
LIZ LAWRENCE at STRANGE BREW
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Vocalist Eno Williams was a vibrant ball of energy and beaming throughoutPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
The band brought the party to SWXPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Guitarist Karri Bannerman showed his talent to full effectPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Williams met fans and signed albums at the merch stand after the showPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Razorlight at Rough Trade Bristol
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Razorlight at Strange Brew
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
The Libertines at O2 Academy
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
FUTURE ISLANDS at BRISTOL BEACON
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Joon got the crowd going with her own brand of synth-popPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7 
Joon joined the band onstage once again for ShadowsPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
TAKE THAT at ASHTON GATE STADIUM
Reviewer Matt and his sister indulge in Take That maniaPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
DOREEN DOREEN at LONG ASHTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
Carol was bedecked in silver sequins ‘like a disco suit of armour’Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
THE HIVES descend upon Bristol and tear the
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
Ritual Union Festival 2024
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes & Joana Merlini•First in MusoMuso
CRAIG FINN at THE EXCHANGE
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
YARD ACT take over Rough Trade Bristol to
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
PIP BLOM at BRISTOL BEACON
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
THE LAST DINNER PARTY delighted the audience at
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
DJANGO DJANGO at STRANGE BREW
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Sleaford Mods
Photo: Matt Barnes & xeemoz•First in MusoMuso 
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in MusoMuso
LOTTERY WINNERS at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
PALE BLUE EYES at STRANGE BREW
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
LIZZIE ESAU at THE LOUISIANA
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
PEACH at ROUGH TRADE
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
BAXTER DURY at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
HALF MOON RUN at SWX
Photo: Matt Barnes•First in Bristol24/7
Yo La Tengo at SWX
Yo La Tengo at SWXPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld
Shame at SWX Bristol: Sparks fly at high
Shame frontman Charlie Steen on stage at SWX BristolPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld
Dean Lewis
Dean Lewis certainly impressed during his gig at SWXPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld 
Fans were full of appreciation for Dean LewisPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld
Elvana at Marble Factory
Talk Like Tigers were the perfect support actPhoto: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld
Steve Harley and his Acoustic Band at St George’s
The original Cockney Rebel Steve Harley with his acoustic band at St George’s Bristol venue on June 8Photo: Matt Barnes•First in BristolWorld
