Invada Invasion in Bristol

Worlds collide in Bristol on 26 September when Invada – the label run by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow – stages a one-day takeover of Bristol’s newly re-launched Colston Hall. In Barrow’s words: “The lunatics are taking over the asylum…. There’s going to be lots of amazing noise and interesting things to stare at,” says Barrow, who promises to make the event “like a mini festival.”

Named the Invada Invasion, the event will see Invada storming each of the venue’s three performance spaces with a winning line-up culled from the labels own roster and some like-minded individuals. Representing Invada are Malakai, Joe Volk, Team Brick, Rosie Red Rash, Fuzz Against Junk, Gonga and Thought Forms plus a very special, one-off collaboration between neo-prog heroes Crippled Black Phoenix and Bristol string section The Emerald Ensemble with arrangements by Ben Salisbury and Elizabeth Purnell. Salisbury has also contributed orchestral arrangements for Joe Volk.

Representing the label’s friends are local boys done good and all-round noise terrorists Fuck Buttons, who last played for Barrow at the Portishead-curated All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in 2007. Adding to the eclectic bill are Zu and Zun Zun Egui with more acts to be announced soon including a secret headliner. There are big names on the decks too – DJs for the evening include The Coral, a band whom Barrow spent time behind the studio mixing desk for, Malakai DJs and Grumpyman.

In addition to the live performances there’ll be a high visual element to proceedings with special projections for the main hall acts by AV artist John Minton. The arty aspects will centre around a specially commissioned exhibition presented by Friend & Co, the Bristol-based underground art gallery and creative platform founded by Barrow and Tom Friend. The showcase will feature the work of Mr Jago, Byroglyphics, China Mike, Acerone, Mudwig, Asbestos, Paris, Eco, 45RPM and more TBA.

The poster for the event (see attached) is styled on an old British wrestling poster, a nod to Colston Hall’s hosting of wrestling meets in its former incarnation. “I always wanted to go to the wrestling as a kid because I would see the posters around Bristol,” says Barrow. “I never made it… but I did see Cameo there in 1984.”

The Invada Invasion is the climax of a full week of events celebrating the £20m relaunch of the 142-year-old foyer. Including a jazz fest, a comedy gala, ‘Nature's Great Events’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough ‘and a special orchestral performance from Roni Size, but Invada’s promises to be the most raucous of all.

Based in Bristol and founded by Barrow and partner Fat Paul in 2003, Invada Records is committed to discovering the best local talent and beyond, with an experimental tilt of course. Perhaps best personified in the label’s latest signings Thought Forms, whose stunning debut album is out this summer.

Colston Hall was one of the first large concert halls in England.
Re-opened in 1901 following a devastating fire, it survived the numerous Luftwaffe attacks before burning down again in 1945. It was reborn in
1951 and went on to host performances from Buddy Holly, The Beatles (who were infamously ‘flour-bombed’ by the crowd), Joy Division, The Clash, The Strokes, The Rolling Stones and, well, pretty much every big name in music.


Music and more here - http://www.myspace.com/invadainvasion