Propaganda in Bristol

Within the last few years Bristol’s Propaganda has grown from local club night to national franchise, but it was the launch last week of its spin-off festival that really cemented the West Country club’s reputation as one of the UK’s freshest alternative nightspots.

Spread over four venues just off the city’s high street, the festival packed an impressive 4000 punters who had turned out to witness performances from 21 live acts and DJs including Jaguar Skills, The Blackout and MPHO. Helmed by flame-haired frontwoman Anna Vincent, London quintet My Tiger My Timing arguably pull the most animated crowd of the evening, opening proceedings in Bierkeller. Serving up minimalist lo-fi electro, the group rattle through a short set of stripped-back numbers including a lively rendition of the New Young Pony Club-produced debut single, 'This Is Not The Fire'.

Over at The Lanes, meanwhile, we’re greeted with the rather surreal side of unlikely crate digger Mat Horne delivering a set surprisingly free of the cheese of his TV shows, while a decidedly younger crowd engage in a spot of drunken bowling beside the dancefloor.

Although recent collaborators including Does It Offend You, Yeah? frontman James Rushent and Parisian house spinner Alan Braxe are noticeably absent, back at Bierkeller Killa Kela runs through a restless set of live beatboxing. Fusing drum ‘n bass, electro and hip hop, the diminutive vocalist offers an impressive mix of crowd pleasers and improvised cuts.

Although they’ve slipped off the recorded radar, headliners The Futureheads prove they still have the knack when it comes to performing live. Delivering a wonderfully tight set broken only by some well aimed banter between guitarist Ross Millard and bassist Jaff, the Sunderland four-piece prove themselves to be inspired closing act for a festival that shows real promise.