‘Genre-defying’ BBC Proms concerts planned for Bristol Beacon

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Sarah Turnnidge

BBC News, Bristol

Giulia Spadafora A conductor, dressed in black, raises one hand in the air mid-performance in front of a strings sections. From a raised balcony, an audiences watches the musicians play. Giulia Spadafora

The BBC Proms is returning to Bristol for one weekend

The chief executive of one of Bristol’s leading venues has said he is “very proud” to welcome back the “genre-defying” BBC Proms.

Alongside its traditional home at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Bristol Beacon is set to host a weekend of events from 22 to 24 August.

Sprawling out from the main concert hall to the building’s public spaces and beyond, the performances will encompass everything from a performance by the Danish National Vocal ensemble to a classical DJ set.

“Bristol is a really vibrant musical city,” said Simon Wales, Bristol Beacon’s chief executive.

Bristol Beacon Simon smiles at the camera. He has short brown/grey hair and light grey stubble, and wears a white shirt and grey suit. He is standing in front of a blurred, multi-coloured background. Bristol Beacon

Mr Wales said the performances were intended to reflect the “adventurous” nature of the city

“There’s a huge amount going on here, and our Proms weekend is a really kind of genre-defying combination of all different types of music, from local artists to international,” he added.

It is the second year in a row that the Bristol Beacon has hosted the classical music festival, following its long-awaited reopening in November 2023.

“This is a venue, a resource, that Bristol should be really proud of,” Mr Wales said.

“It really is one of the best music spaces in the country, and the Proms means that we can show it off to its full extent.”

Giulia Spadafora A conductor dressed in white leads a large orchestra. The picture is taken from behind the musicians, so you can see their open sheet music, and they are lit by dark blue and purple lighting. Giulia Spadafora

It is the second year in a row that the Bristol Beacon has hosted the classical music festival

As well as entertaining those in the venues themselves, many of the performances will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 – making them accessible to listeners worldwide.

“Last year in 2024, it was the first Proms [in Bristol], and so there was a lot for everyone to learn about how to make all the spaces work for the live broadcasts that were going out,” Mr Wales said.

“I think everyone will find it much easier this year. There’ll be a bit less last-minute problem-solving.”

‘Absolutely right’

While the events planned for the bank holiday weekend do include the traditional performances normally associated with the Proms, Mr Wales explained that the programme aimed to challenge preconceptions of classical music.

“We really are reflecting some of the diversity and adventure you find in the Bristol music scene,” he said.

“This is a civic venue, it’s owned by Bristol, and we as a charity are here to ensure that we welcome everyone to all types of music. So, this partnership with BBC Proms feels absolutely right.”

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