The full line up for the main stages at St Pauls Carnival have been announced, just over three weeks before the big event itself.
And carnival bosses have also renamed the main stage as it returns for the first time since 2019 - from now on the main stage will be called the Roy Hackett Memorial Stage, in honour of one of the founders of carnival and leaders of the Bristol Bus Boycott, who passed away last year.
Headlining this main stage will be dub reggae legends Horseman and the Upper Cut Band, and there’s a long list of Bristol’s finest music acts bringing a range of hip hop, dub, reggae, afrobeats and spoken word.
Read next: The St Pauls Carnival legend ready to bring Ghetto Force back
Also on the Roy Hackett Memorial Stage will be Talisman, Bristol’s stalwart music legends Laid Blak, Yemz, Moyah, and what promises to be a huge blow-out set from Da Fuchaman, who is bringing a full band - the Fire Blaze Band - this time, Josephine Gyasi and Z Regal.
Over in Portland Square, veteran sound system operator Selecta Watson will be once again returning with the Ghetto Force Sound System - he told Bristol Live last month how much he was looking forward to showcasing local music acts with a wide range of genres.
St Pauls Carnival will have a second stage of its own too - the Radical Roots stage, which during the day will be a blend of activist-led cultural arts, featuring some of Bristol’s best music, spoken word, dance and more.
Headlining this day part of the Radical Roots stage will be street poet and educator Lawrence Hoo, with Solomon OB second on the bill. Also taking part in the day section of this stage will be Bristol Windrush, the Reggae Choir, Malizah, The Golden Guild and Bristol djembe players Foli.
In the evening, things take a step up with a DJ led take over from female and non-binary DJ collective Booty Bass bringing what carnival bosses say will be ‘big, bad, unapologetic bangers from around the globe’. Also on the Radical Roots stage’s evening sessions will be a dancehall set from Grove, Ngaio, Bungzo, Hannza, Garoess and Kofo.
There’s an official family and children’s area at this year’s Carnival, which is the first to take place since the pre-Covid summer of 2019, and it’s been named Mandela’s Hideaway.
The family area will showcase local youth talent, grassroots artists and African and Caribbean creative workshops. Topping the bill here will be Whiske XMP, a rapper who was listed in last year’s Bristol Live Cool List for 2022.
Also on the bill at Mandela’s Hideaway is Lorna Da Angel, Jethro Sheeran, Texxus Redmoney, the Young Bristol’s Got Talent Showcase, Krush Landing and Lucky House Management, along with arts and crafts, drumming, storytelling and wooden and sensory play.
Finally, St Pauls Carnival will feature a Raising Legends stage, being organised by ACE - the Aspiration Creation and Elevation organisation. On the bill so far here are DJ McCoy Sway, DJ Eazy, DJ Chloe Sage, Born2Be Records and Creative Power Town.
The Carnival takes place on Saturday, July 1, kicking off with a range of activities before the traditional procession through the streets of St Pauls signals the start of the day and evening music and culture celebration.
Read more:
- St Pauls Carnival announces first-ever T20 event at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
- Kuumba Centre: Bristol's ‘little gem in the middle of the city’ that locals don’t want to lose
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