News

Invada Invasion to hit Bristol

• 16th Jul 2009

Worlds collide in Bristol on 26 September when Invada – the label run by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow – stages a one-day takeover of Bristol’s newly re-launched Colston Hall. Curator Barrow says of his mini-festival: “The lunatics are taking over the asylum. There’s going to be lots of amazing noise and interesting things to stare at.”

Named the Invada Invasion, the event will see Invada storming each of the venue’s three performance spaces with a winning line-up culled from the labels own roster and some like-minded individuals. Representing Invada are Malakai, Joe Volk, Team Brick, Rosie Red Rash, Fuzz Against Junk, Gonga and Thought Forms plus a very special, one-off collaboration between neo-prog heroes Crippled Black Phoenix and Bristol string section The Emerald Ensemble with arrangements by Ben Salisbury and Elizabeth Purnell. Salisbury has also contributed orchestral arrangements for Joe Volk.

Representing the label’s friends are local boys done good and all-round noise terrorists Fuck Buttons, who last played for Barrow at the Portishead-curated All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in 2007. Adding to the eclectic bill are Zu and Zun Zun Egui with more acts to be announced soon including a secret headliner. There are big names on the decks too – DJs for the evening include The Coral, , Malakai DJs and Grumpyman.

In addition to the live performances there’ll be a high visual element to proceedings with special projections for the main hall acts by AV artist John Minton. The arty aspects will centre around a specially commissioned exhibition presented by Friend & Co, the Bristol-based underground art gallery and creative platform founded by Barrow and Tom Friend. The showcase will feature the work of Mr Jago, Byroglyphics, China Mike, Acerone, Mudwig, Asbestos, Paris, Eco, 45RPM.

The Invada Invasion is the climax of a full week of events celebrating the £20m relaunch of the 142-year-old foyer. Including a jazz fest, a comedy gala, ‘Nature's Great Events’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough ‘and a special orchestral performance from Roni Size, but Invada’s promises to be the most raucous of all.

Tickets for the Invada Invasion cost £20, and are on sale now from Colston Hall Box Office on 0117 922 3686 and link

Music and more at the Invada Invasion Myspace link