OTWAY & BARRETT

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TICKETS https://wegottickets.com/event/649191

Otway and Barrett initially emerged from the acoustic, roots, and folk genres, with Otway drawing significant inspiration from early Bob Dylan. During their early gigs, Otway performed on the folk circuit, while Willy Barrett gained a notable reputation within the folk scene of the early '70s. Willy's talents were recognized on The Contemporary Folk Guitar album, alongside esteemed musicians such as Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Gordon Giltrap, and Ralph McTell. He also graced the stage multiple times at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival and worked as a guitarist with George Hamilton IV. However, Otway & Barrett's distinctive blend of grungy, fast-paced fiddle, banjo, and guitar, accompanied by their harmonious yet contrasting vocals, eventually became associated with the punk rock/new wave genre. Since their initial performances in 1971, the duo has experienced numerous splits and reunions. The iconic debut album, "John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett," was produced and featured performances by Pete Townshend of The Who. One particularly memorable moment occurred during a legendary performance on the Old Grey Whistle Test, where Otway's failed amplifier leap resulted in a painful crash onto his most sensitive parts. Despite the discomfort, the incident propelled their song "Really Free" to become a Top 20 hit and secured appearances on Top of the Pops. Over the years, Otway & Barrett have headlined numerous festivals, including a noteworthy gig at Aylesbury Market Square, where over 10,000 fans attended. This event was filmed for the ITV documentary "Stardust Man," shedding light on Otway's previous occupation as a dustbin man. Otway's career highlights include headlining the Reading Rock Festival and making numerous appearances at Glastonbury. Wild Willy Barrett remains a regular performer at the esteemed Cambridge Folk Festival. Additionally, the duo performed on the main stage at Cropredy and entertained a crowd of 150,000 while supporting The Police in Toronto. Their success on the charts has been somewhat sporadic. In 1980, a BBC cameraman's dispute resulted in the cancellation of Otway & Barrett's scheduled Top of the Pops performance for their single "DK50/80," causing it to drop out of the charts. The BBC also banned their single "Headbutts." However, Otway enjoyed a Top 10 hit in 2002 with "Bunsen Burner," which he performed during one of the final episodes of Top of the Pops. Recently, Otway celebrated his 5000th gig, a testament to his enduring popularity and the duo's cult following. Their stage shows are characterized by an enduring, hilarious, and utterly entertaining live performance. Barrett showcases his incredible talent as a musician and his knack for humor, effortlessly transitioning from Django Reinhardt-style playing to punk rock. He demonstrates his versatility by playing blues slide guitar with an egg and using a hacksaw and claw hammer to strum the classical guitar (usually owned by Otway). Otway, on the other hand, is a brilliant songwriter, and their sets encompass a range of musical styles, encompassing beautiful ballads, grunge-folk-punk tunes, and their well-known hits such as "Bunsen Burner," "Really Free," "Geneva," and the seminal "Beware of the Flowers ('Cos I'm Sure They're Going to Get You Yeah!)." Interestingly, in 2000, "Beware of the Flowers" was voted the seventh favorite lyric in the BBC National Poetry Day poll, ranking higher than The Beatles' "Yesterday," which came in sixth.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE // THE DUKES // MAD VISIONS

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RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: The Bristol-based Trash-Punk band Restorative Justice look to wow their hometown crowd with their exhilarating live show. Not only that but its their final show so be sure to come to send the guys off in style.

https://linktr.ee/restorativejusticeband

THE DUKES

https://www.instagram.com/thed.ukes?igsh=dmt2cHIzY3p2d3hp

MAD VISIONS

brand new royal blood tribute band

https://www.instagram.com/madvisionsuk?igsh=bnNxbXJpNWF1OHZx

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e132381

Young, Loud & Snotty presents: BONA RAYS // SEIZURE SALAD // ALAN BAKER BAND

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ENTRY FEE £5

Bona Rays are back!
Support from Seizure Salad and the Alan Baker Band

Bona Rays are back with their first single since reuniting with a fresh line-up.
LISTEN HERE: https://on.soundcloud.com/yWkCNhrJBfTT7zmb7
WATCH THE VIDEO on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RqLiG7DA_zI

‘No Connection’ marks the triumphant return of the London-based New Wave/Post-Punk band, originally formed in 1977. After disbanding in the early 80s, lead singer Chas Hines had moved away from the scene that once celebrated her as one of the only black, British, female frontwomen in original Punk. But in 2020, a forgotten acetate demo from her collection was rediscovered, sparking Flashback Records to release the previously unheard track ‘Poser’. This reignited Hines’ passion, leading to the revival of Bona Rays and a revamped line-up back on stage through 2024/5 with a whole new set of punchy songs.
‘No Connection’ is the first all-new track to emerge from this exciting fresh chapter, fusing fiery energy and sharp riffs to launch a bold Post-Punk sound into the 2020s.

Seizure Salad

4-piece Riot grrrl band. Think Bikini Kill meets Fatal Microbes/Honey Bane.

Alan Baker Band

60s/80s-influenced power-pop-trash-garage-punk from Frankfurt.

Plus YLS DJs

TICKET LINK: https://wegottickets.com/event/666256/

HEKTICS // SKELPHANT // EJECTOR SEAT

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THE HEKTICS

a 3-piece hybrid of punk and reggae, who take their influence from classic punk groups like The Jam, Misfits and The Clash, as well as reggae and ska greats like Ken Boothe, The Specials and Sublime

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551989278301...

https://www.instagram.com/hekticsmakenoise/

SKELEPHANT

Coming at you all the way from St Albans, bringing with them a unique fusion of classic rock and 90/00s indie with a healthy dose of desert rock.

Check them out here; www.facebook.com/skelephantband

EJECTOR SEAT

An energetic alternative rock band with original songs that are often compared to the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam, with a smattering of more atmospheric and moody pieces thrown in for good measure

https://www.instagram.com/ejector_seat/

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e132721

Rocky and The Racketeers + support

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Kickstop presents a night of Rock and Roll at the thunderbolt headlined by Rocky and The Racketeers.
A night full of dancing and classic soul and rock songs you won't want to miss.

Entry requirements: 16+

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e132750

HAPPY RITUAL + roses + midas + the roswell experience

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Happy ritual are back with another show not to be missed as the celebrate the impending release of new music

HAPPY RITUAL

Alt-rock from Bristol

linktr.ee/HappyRitual

ROSES

Southwest based pop-rock band Roses are a sultry female-fronted powerhouse currently making waves in the Bristol music scene! Fusing Olivia Rodrigo’s confessional energy with Avril Lavigne’s edge and theatrical flair à la The Last Dinner Party, their untamed melodies and 2000s indie-rock anthems reflect the raw highs and lows of the human experience

https://www.instagram.com/roses_band_uk/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553100071150

MIDAS

A 6 piece band from Bristol!

THE ROSWELL EXPERIENCE

Thinly veiled sexual innuendos disguised as funky tunes

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e132669

HEELFLIP RECORDS ALT ROCK NIGHT

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Heelflip Records presents ALT MUSIC NIGHT @ The Thunderbolt Bristol. Doors 6:00pm 

TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/heelfliprecords/1760465

MORALES // THE MILD WEST // BACKDOWN // Molly Fletcher Hebden Trio

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MORALES

Indie band based in Bristol

Follow us on Tik Tok

www.tiktok.com/@morales_band?_t=ZN-8tt3cHMOwuU&_r=1

https://www.instagram.com/morales.band/

THE MILD WEST

Alt Rock / Garage Rock

www.instagram.com/themildwestband

BACKDOWN

Bristol, UK. BACKDOWN are a 3-piece indie rock band, formed in the late 2023. Taking influence from bands such as Stereophonics and Daughtry, they bring their own raw energy, dynamic and thought-provoking lyrics; as seen in their 2025 debut single, ‘Dead To You’.

https://www.instagram.com/backdownband/

MOLLIE FLETCHER HEBDEN

Singer songwriter based in Bristol/London. Instagram-@mollyfletcherhebden

Currently on the uk SUNMER FOREVER tour March-Augsut 2025

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e133172

FLUMP // SUPPORTS TBC

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FLUMP

a fresh indie-punk band from bristol.

inspired by late night jams, their music likes to slide through different genres stitching catchy hooks, aggressive outbursts, and dream-like charm making for an authentic expression of sound. think of them as the soundtrack to life's most dramatic moments, as inviting as it is unpredictable. with lyrical tales that tug at the heart while sporting a smirk, FLUMP is equal parts reflection and rebellion, pain and joy

"clearly masters of their own destiny" - Joyzine 2025

https://www.instagram.com/flump_band/

TICKETS: https://hdfst.uk/e133178

PRIVATE PARTY (Wedding)

PARTYWEB WEDDING.jpg

THIS THUNDERBOLT IS CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE PARTY