Leading urban-contemporary artists have responded to pivotal moments in Bristol’s music history to create works of art for a new exhibition. The likes of Inkie, Mr Jago, Matt Eko, Mudwig, Mini Hamada, Sickboy, Lucy McLauclan and Xenz lead an all-star line-up of artists for a new exhibition—a striking visual tribute to Bristol’s music scene—‘Sound Check’.
From underground punk flyers to iconic rave nights and landmark gigs, these new pieces honour the visual legacy of Bristol’s music culture, a legacy that continues to shape the city’s creative identity today. ‘Sound Check’ opens to the public this weekend, May 9 to 11, as it transforms Totterdown’s The PIT into an immersive tribute to live music.
Highlights include Mina Hamada’s explosive reinterpretation of a rare 1977 T-Rex poster from Bristol Beacon;. Mr Jago brings new life to an original Dug Out flyer by Inkie, layering his own mark onto the legacy of Bristol’s underground club scene; and Mudwig reimagines a 1993 Radiohead poster from The Fleece as a ‘time tomb’.
Inkie and DJ Dazee also reunite on a reworked 1996 Ruffneck Ting flyer, celebrating Bristol’s love for jungle; Lucy McLauchlan distils PJ Harvey’s 1998 Colston Hall show into a minimalist portrait; and Sickboy overlays mantra-like text onto an early IDLES poster from The Louisiana.
“Bristol’s music scene isn’t just about sound – it’s a living, breathing culture,” says Sickboy. “Sound Check captures events that remain incredibly relevant in the development of Bristol’s inimitable style of musical activism and reframes them as art.”
Joining the reimagined artworks is a newly revealed series of music photography capturing three decades of Bristol’s live music culture. Following an open call, expect a cross-section of established and emerging talent whose work spans electric live performances, intimate backstage moments and everything in between.
To learn more about ‘Sound Check’ head here.