2000s
Now as Colston Hall moves into the 21st century, plans for new facilities are taking shape and we’re busy increasing the variety of music that comes to the hall, appealing, we hope, to a much broader range of people. Our aim is to become a world-class centre for music and music making, showcasing the best music from the UK and around the world, whilst also developing emerging talent from Bristol and the South West.
We’ve said goodbye to many old, familiar acts and welcomed some new ones. In June 2003, The Shadows who had played their first ever gig without Cliff Richard at the hall 46 years ago, played to Bristol fans for the last time as part of their farewell tour.
Just one month earlier, the Hall played host to a musical record breaker – Will Young. The gig, on Will’s first solo tour, caused major excitement with fans queuing through the night to buy tickets and selling out in less than two hours.
Regular visitors to the hall will have noticed that World Music, Jazz as well as new music has taken more of a prominent place in the hall’s packed programme as part of our ‘Leftfield’ seasons. Highlights have included Wynton Marsalis, The Gotan Project, Femi Kuti, Orchestra Baobab, Courtney Pine, Kronos Quartet, Nitin Sawhney and the Mathew Herbert Big Band, to name but a few.
The Hall also has established an Education Team who together with REMIX, Bristol’s Youth Music Action Zone are bringing opportunities to experience and get involved in music to young people across the city. Song writing weeks, dj-ing workshops, schools performances and special projects with visiting artists are just some of the diverse range of activities that young people can enjoy.
Colston Hall is an evolving and vibrant venue – as great a place for the people of Bristol today as it has been over its long and fascinating history.
