how a Bristol music collective is restoring community to the local music scene

Of Susie Long, Music subeditor

It’s no secret that making music has become a commercial endeavor. With ticket prices for high-profile artists running into the thousands and the rise of the “industrial plant” artist, the music industry can sometimes seem like a faceless algorithmic entity. However, people want to change this and groups are emerging with the goal of prioritizing the celebration of community, inclusion and creativity in music.

One such group, based right here in Bristol, is music collective VooKoo. With music activities including jam sessions, concerts, DJ nights, open mics and more – alongside clothes swaps, workshops and art markets – VooKoo facilitates spaces for creatives in all forms.

From “humble beginnings as a small open mic with big dreams”, VooKoo have come a long way in the past two years, recently hosting events at venues such as The Crown and The Old Market Assembly alongside their regular jam nights at SouthBank Club. .

I was lucky enough to have been introduced to this collective by a friend, so a few weeks ago a group of us headed to the SouthBank Club for their Third Thursday Jams night. I couldn’t have felt better. A beautiful place full of life, cheap drinks, a clothes swap and a line up of talented musicians, it really showed how music can bring people together. While I was grateful to share the evening with my friends, VooKoo created a welcoming space whether you’re attending mass or on your own – I would have been just as happy going to this solo. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and it really was a perfect atmosphere.

Of course, the music was the main reason I went. While I laughed with the crew that this time the open mic night lineup was more dominated by the “white men with guitars” type, each musician brought their own unique and wonderful sound to the stage. Freestyle rap, acoustic guitar and spoken word: he had a bit of everything.

A personal highlight – and I think for many others – was the final set, performed by 30 circles. Early the next morning, I was ready to head home for the night, but my friend begged me to stay to listen to this performance. I’m so glad I did. Using live loops and a variety of woodwinds, Dave Colebourn was absolutely phenomenal. Any residual chatter in the venue fell silent as soon as he started singing and we were all in a wonderful trance listening to him sing. These soundscapes were consuming and incredibly moving, and I haven’t had a musical experience like this in a long time. Watching 30 Circles – and the atmosphere it masterfully created – was a wonderful testament to the power of VooKoo and collectives like it: bringing strangers closer together to celebrate art together (and I even got a free jumper from the night!) .

This Friday, I headed over to see another VooKoo event. This time we were at The Crown for a night of DJ sets from DJ Deep Heat alongside supporting artists DJ CDQ B2B Belters and FRAUDSTER. Although completely different from their jam session, this was another perfectly executed evening. A wide range of genres, energetic performances and surrounded by nice people – it was brilliant.

I can’t stress enough how welcoming this group and everyone involved is. Again, I knew of people there, but there was never a time where I found myself on my own or lost for people to hang out with. There was no pretense, no judgement, it was just a wonderful and genuine celebration of people and music. I look forward to seeing what VooKoo has in store in the future and commend them on their mission to re-center music around people and community. They do a fantastic job.

Featured Image: Susie Long

Have you been to a VooKoo event?