Music Without Borders Lands in Bristol
Echo, a new one-day international music and cultural exchange festival, takes over Trinity in Bristol on 30th May with a free, all‑day programme of live music. Celebrating nearly 80 years of cultural exchange between Bristol and Bordeaux, the festival brings together grassroots artists from both cities, Binbag Wisdom, DJ Koyla, Josephine Gyasi, MĀDŁY, Okali and t l k, in a genre‑spanning celebration of shared creative practice.
Taking place on Friday 30th May at Trinity, he free one‑day festival marks the first chapter of this new cross‑border cultural exchange between Bristol and Bordeaux, developed in partnership with Le Rocher de Palmer and Twin Cities Fest, and delivered during Trinity Community Arts’ 50th anniversary year.
At its core, the programme brings together a diverse range of artists whose work spans hip‑hop, DJ culture, neo‑soul, alt‑theatre, spoken word, and immersive live performance.
As part of the event, we will have Binbag Wisdom, a boundary‑pushing hip‑hop trio blending sharp lyricism, theatrical comedy, and live turntablism to redefine what a hip‑hop performance can be. Fresh from a sell‑out run of their new show The Ballad of Wee Willy Winky, Binbag Wisdom’s live sets balance humour and honesty, creating performances that are as emotionally resonant as they are entertaining.
The line‑up also features DJ Koyla, a French‑Burkinabè multidisciplinary artist whose high‑energy sets draw from 90s house, afrobeats, funk, and disco, alongside Bristol‑based DJ and cultural connector Josephine Gyasi, known for instinct‑led sets rooted in embodiment, rhythm, and connection with the room.
MĀDŁY, a Paris‑born, Bristol‑based multilingual singer, rapper, and poet, brings a powerful live project combining neo‑soul, nu‑jazz, and hip‑hop, supported by an acclaimed band of Bristol musicians. Alongside Okali, a multidisciplinary music project blending spiritual African influences with neo‑trip‑hop, performing songs across English, Eton, Zulu, and French.
“Echo is about building real connections through shared creativity, across borders, cultures, and communities.” - MĀDŁY
Alongside music, audiences can expect food and drinks from local traders. A family‑friendly and relaxed garden‑party atmosphere, making Echo an accessible, welcoming day out for all ages.
Background
Echo is a new international cultural exchange programme connecting Bristol and Bordeaux, two cities officially twinned since 1947. The project is designed to strengthen long‑standing cultural links by supporting grassroots artists and creating accessible opportunities for audiences to engage with international creative work.
The first edition of Echo takes place in Bristol at Trinity. The programme reflects Trinity’s long‑standing commitment to lowering barriers to participation, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating inclusive arts spaces where culture is shared rather than consumed.
Echo is delivered in partnership with Le Rocher de Palmer, a leading cultural venue in Bordeaux, with a strong focus on global music and community engagement, and Twin Cities Fest, a project celebrating cultural exchange through music and international collaboration.
Following the Bristol event, the festival will continue its journey to France, with the second chapter of Echo taking place at Le Rocher de Palmer in Bordeaux on 19 September, ensuring the exchange flows in both directions.
