Simple Things 2016
Event guide
Renowned as one of the UK’s best urban festivals, the sixth annual Simple Things all-dayer looks set to be their strongest yet. Alongside a packed Saturday of brilliant producers, DJs and bands, punters can look forward to a Sunday finale courtesy of the Horror Master, John Carpenter. Here’s who we’ll be watching in Bristol on 22nd and 23rd October.
Top picks
John Carpenter
From ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ and ‘The Fog’ to ‘Escape From New York’ and ‘Halloween’, John Carpenter’s films are as memorable for their chilling scores as they are their hair-raising visuals. Following last year’s acclaimed Lost Themes project, the Horror Master will be performing his iconic compositions across a limited run of UK dates, including Simple Thing’s closing party at Colston Hall on Sunday.
Abra
Abra might have flippantly described her sound as “Phil Collins with 808s”, but the reality is far more interesting. A key member of Atlanta’s Awful Records crew, she specialises in trap, house and R&B-inspired synth-pop, with a deliciously lo-fi feel. Check out her 2015 full-length Roses and her recent EP for True Panther Sounds, and prepare yourself to lose yourself in her soulful vocals at Simple Things.
DJ Spinn
Co-founder of the legendary Ghettoteknitianz collective that evolved into Teklife – alongside the late, great DJ Rashad – DJ Spinn’s superb musical CV includes a decade of 160bpm releases via legendary imprints like Dance Mania, Planet Mu and Hyperdub. Don’t miss your chance to catch one of the leading lights in Chicago’s footwork/juke scene, up close and personal – he plays Simple Things on Saturday.
Big names
Don't miss
More from the line-up
- I’ve only ever seen anything that’s ever happened as positive. I feel crazy-lucky that I’ve got a career.
- When I listen to the record now, I hear that bond – that collaboration – and that level of creativity.
- When you’re working with someone with a strong personality, what you stand for becomes more clear to you.