2010 Fireworks Party feat. Dizraeli and The Small Gods
Dizraeli just says no to Tesco at our annual Fireworks Party (photo by Rhiannon Jones)
With the scent of hot cider and roasted hog roast hanging in the air, hundreds of people head towards Bristol's renowned venue the Trinity Centre, for this year's annual Free Fireworks Party.
1,200 fill the venue grounds and the gates close leaving many to watch from the sidelines. With other fireworks events rained off or charging entry fees, needless to say people didn't leave without a fight, many watching from adjacent roads to get a glimpse of one of the city's only remaining free displays.
Kicking the festivities off was the exotic, enormous sound of Bristol Samba Band, teasing everyone outside and absorbing the energy of the huge crowd. As they continued this captivating performance the band decided to take their sound outside to a crowd ready and waiting to indulge their senses.
The band ends on a ultimate high with the bonfire well and truly under way by resident fire maker Woodsy. The only sound to be heard is that of the eager crowd wondering how and when this display will start. At that moment, probably the biggest fireworks display in Bristol time kicks off, with shredding fountain fireworks stunning everyone to silent awe. After several ear popping ground works, there is a break for people to show their appreciation and want for more of these firework sensations. Finally, as though to show an encore of a performance, firework guru Onj pulls out all the stops by sending a parade of rockets, fountains and Roman candles into the sky, making Trinity a landmark of fireworks for yet another year.
The crowd is buzzing from the incredible firework show and, as most the families take their kids home as, “it's a school night” everyone else heads inside the main hall for music and cider. The venue steams as we wait for the opening act - Bristol's new upcoming hip-hop artist Buggsy. His reggae influenced hip-hop beat and his faster-by-the-second MCing set the tone for the rest of his set. His performance closed with Born Inna System, which got the crowd chanting.
Trinity keeps the energy going and with cheering and screaming for the headliners, the lights dimmed, the chanting begins and Dizraeli and The Small Gods take to the stage.
As everyone falls silence, three of the most hair tingling harmonies to have ever hit this hall by God hit the crowd hard. This band's intro soley made up of all their vocals strikes the hearts of everyone in the room. Then the funky guitar-riff to their song Reach Out gets everyone dancing and it is certain this crowd is ready for a unique performance.
Throughout this whole set there was a feeling of freedom amongst all, with lyrics such as Get Yourself A Good Job, Get Yourself Free chanted straight back at lead vocalist Dizraeli. From an a capella rap - or what seemed to be a political statement against “Engurland's” government - they went on next to their massively popular song Homeward Bound, to hype the audience even more for their hit of the night Bomb Tesco, which, with all the controversies of the Stokes Croft Tesco debate could not fail to get the crowd jumping, dancing and singing along in unison.
At the end of their set and with the crowd begging for more as the lights went up it was evident that this was truly a memorable night that would not be forgotten by those lucky enough to attend.
