Simple Things 2017

Festival guide

When the founders of Simple Things finally decided on a name for their festival, we imagine they were referring to their format – brilliant artists play a brilliant city – because it certainly doesn’t do justice to their consistently cutting-edge bills. Following an opening show from Metronomy at Motion on Friday 20th October, Saturday will see one of the most progressive line-ups of UK festival season take over Bristol’s pubs and clubs. We’ve selected some potential highlights below.

Top picks

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    Jlin

    Playing with the conventions of Chicago’s footwork and juke house scenes, Indiana producer Jerrilynn Patton makes experimental electronic music unlike anything you’ve heard before. Following 2015’s spellbinding debut, Dark Energy, latest LP Black Origami is packed with the sort of vivid, futuristic percussion and intricate polyrhythm that has made it one of the most acclaimed albums of 2017. Suffice to say, her set at Simple Things is not to be missed under any circumstances.

    Jlin - Black Origami
    Black Origami Jlin 19/05/2017
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    Idles

    Thanks to rave reviews for their incendiary debut – the aptly-titled Brutalism – and an invitation to open for Foo Fighters on their recent UK arena tour, Idles are having an incredible 2017 to date. If all goes to plan, their homecoming show at Simple Things should prove something of a victory lap for the Bristol-formed five-piece. Expect blistering punk, packed with searing social commentary, and get ready to bellow along. All together now: “The best way to scare a Tory is to read and get rich!”

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    Lorenzo Senni

    Though one of Warp Records’ more recent signings, Lorenzo Senni is long established in the industry thanks to his work founding and running experimental imprint Presto!?, and via lauded releases like the Quantum Jelly EP. Now settled at one of the world’s most prestigious indies, the Milan-based producer and DJ delves into 90s rave culture and deconstructs trance and hard techno, with frenetic results. Check out ‘XAllegroX / The Shape Of Trance To Come’ as an introduction.

Big names

Don't miss

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