Leading South West music venue SWX has announced that it will be making its highly-anticipated return this September. The club was forced to close in 2021 after it was set alight by an arsonist, in a campaign against Covid passports, but has now confirmed its reopening.
After the blaze owner Dominic Madden spoke of his sadness at the venue being hit by the fire but promised that "the show will go on". And, now the club has excitedly announced that it will be "reopening in style" with a top-notch season of live shows and club nights, and brand new interior.
SWX is a former Top Rank Suite concert venue, launched in 1964 with the Beach Boys and The Faces, and it has welcomed many notable acts since then. Over the years it has been well-established as one of Bristol’s leading nightclubs since the 1970s.
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After the fire the team at SWX said they had a renewed focus on reimagining the very best of the venue. And now its state of the art, fully refurbished 21st century venue will reopen on Friday 9 September 2022.
With all new facilities, including beautifully renovated toilets and bars, the comprehensive refurbishment has upgraded the premises for both guests and artists. At the same time, the improved venue still celebrates its unique features such as the iconic sprung dance floor.
Autumn season highlights include the opening show of the recently announced Sugababes tour. The reformed band – Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan – will be heading out on their first UK headline tour in over 20 years in October, kicking off at SWX Bristol.
Other performers confirmed this Autumn include Banks, Animal Collective, Poppy, Black Midi, GZA, Half Moon Run, and The Horrors. A massive international DJ line up will soon be announced to underpin its quintessential FarFetched and Codec weekend club events.
CEO and co-founder of Electric Group Dominic Madden said: "I'm delighted to announce the reopening of our beloved SWX music venue. SWX has been an integral part of the musical fabric of Bristol since the 1960s and we are very excited to share our exciting vision and reimagination of SWX following the devastating arson attack of June 21 which so badly damaged our venue.
"We have used this opportunity to reimagine and upgrade the venue (for example making sure that the venue is more DDA compliant such as installing a disability compliant lift and generally making the main room far more accessible), whilst retaining many of the things that are so loved. Our vision is to create a 21st Century club and gig venue which music fans and artists will embrace for the next 50 years.
"I would like to thank all of those in Bristol who have provided so much support to our vision of reopening SWX in the face of many obstacles.” A brand new website has also been unveiled at www.swxbristol.com with tickets available now.
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