It might’ve been built in the German fishing town of Büsum, but Thekla wasn’t made until it opened on Bristol’s Floating Harbour in 1984. It was a coastal trading vessel for almost 26 years before that but came to the South West as The Old Profanity Showboat – initially hosting theatre and cabaret, before shortly becoming a jazz venue and folk club too.
It’s changed a lot since then, hosting a range of incredible gigs and club nights of all genres over the years – including Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead. But Thekla has forever since remained a cultural institution for music in Bristol. Even turning up in Skins! Next month (May 1), marks 40 years of Thekla and the team is ensuring this landmark moment is a party the city won’t soon forget.
The iconic vessel marks the occasion with five days of live music, from Wednesday, May 1 to Sunday, May 5. You can see some of Thekla’s favourite artists from the past four decades take to the stage again – including former 51°27′ residents, My Nu Leng, and regular guests, Kahn & Neek (who also hosted their own Bandalu club nights on the boat).
Throughout the five-day celebrations, the likes of Strangers-singer Kenya Grace, English punk-rock duo Soft Play with a DJ set, alternative-indie band The K’s, space-rockers Henge and a special Pop Confessional with Twisted Time Machine will also make an appearance. Beatles Dub Club & Friends – including the Mad Apple Circus horn section, the Bloco B samba dancers and the Binbag Wisdom vocalists – will then close out the weekend (May 5).
The party doesn’t end there either. Diving into the archives, Thekla has put together an exclusive archive book, The Complete History of Thekla, looking at the vessel’s legacy and cultural influence. In it, you’ll read about a myriad of weird and wonderful stories – from the mystery of a hidden Banksy to the Tango-dancing former manager, Charlie.
“Celebrating 40 years in Bristol is absolutely incredible,” said Alex Black, general manager at Thekla. “Thekla stands for so much more than a music venue; it is an institution testament to Bristol’s vibrant culture. Each band that plays and all the up-and-coming DJs all tell a story and add to the rich history of the city’s music scene. We can’t wait for people to get their hands on the book that documents the legacy and passion of Thekla.
“The vessel’s 40th anniversary also comes at a pivotal time for independent music venues, acting as a space for growth for emerging artists and inspiration to grassroots venues that are faced with rising operational costs. Celebrating four decades of Thekla signifies the power of culture and arts, and how important it is to the city and for the city.”
Thekla’s 40th anniversary line-up:
Wednesday, May 1:
TBC
Thursday, May 2:
Kenya Grace
PRESSURE feat. Soft Play DJ set
Friday, May 3:
The K’s
51°27′ feat. My Nu Leng, Khan & Neek
Saturday, May 4:
Henge
POP CONFESSIONAL feat. Twisted Time Machine
Sunday, May 5:
Beatles Dub Club & Friends
To learn more about the anniversary programme head here.