A much-loved ‘micro’ music venue in St Pauls is celebrating its 40th anniversary next week, with a week-long ‘Earthstrong’ (the Jamaican term for ‘birthday’) event. From Wednesday, October 23, to Sunday, October 27, Cosies on Portland Square will host five nights of live music and DJs, featuring a line-up of artists and promoters who have ‘helped cement the venue’s legacy as an incubator for musical talent’.
Each night will shine a spotlight on both established and up-and-coming musicians and DJs from Cosies‘ past, present and future. There will also be an exhibition showcasing the work of renowned photographer Beezer, who captured pivotal moments in the Bristol music scene and St Paul’s Carnival during the 80s and 90s, a scene that spawned numerous artists including Roni Size, Flynn and Flora, Tricky, Nellee Hooper, and Massive Attack.
Historic posters from the Cosies archive will also be on show, and a very limited edition run of commemorative prints will also be available to purchase. In keeping with Cosies’ tradition, entry to the event is capped at just £5 each night, ensuring accessibility for all who wish to attend.
Limited weekender deals will also be available, including £15 early bird tickets for entry to all five events. The Earthstrong at what is described as being ‘Bristol’s best kept secret’ is proudly sponsored by Ujima Radio, and the line-up includes:
- Jah Loko & Conroy, Legendary doormen and Reggae Sunday/Dub Club bosses
- Queen Bee, much respected Bristol DJ and former Cosies manager
- DJ Flynn, of renowned 1990s junglist duo Flynn & Flora
- DJ Dazee, original drum ‘n’ bass pioneer and co-founder of Ruffneck Ting
- Chris Farrell, former Idle Hands owner and head of new independent label Devil’s Work
- Ruffnek Diskotek- Residents from one of Cosies’ most popular and longest running nights
- Plus Ras Addis, Sky Lion, Peter D, Back A Yard, Yuseemi, Steve Rice, Medis, Soz Lad, Kreed,
- Dissonance, Slack Alice, Bristol Reggae Society and many more.
Venue manager, Mariesha Phipps, said: “Cosies has been a vital landmark for local residents, artists, students and music-lovers alike since the early 1980s. This 40th Earthstrong will celebrate the venue’s heritage and future, paying homage to the contributions of all who’ve enabled us to grow and thrive in the face of decades of funding cuts to the arts.
“Notably, the anniversary also coincides with Black History Month, making this celebration even more significant as we honour the role played by Bristol’s Afro-Caribbean community and soundsystem culture in our collective history.”