Ahead of their day party takeover at Trinity on 27 Aug, we sat down with Club Djembe co-founder Ryan Foster (DJ Stolen) to chat about the label's beginnings, thoughts on the Bristol music scene and what's next for Club Djembe.

Trinity are collaborating with Club Djembe as part of Trinity Presents, our in-house programme celebrating our diverse city and platforming emerging talent, to host a day party in The Den, our new seasonal outdoor venue situated in the historic grounds of Trinity.

How did Club Djembe start?

Ryan: Club Djembe started all through a lack of events within Bristol that were pushing & promoting our music. We were playing UK Funky, Afro House & a lot of percussion led music on radio but never heard/saw of anything happening within the clubs in Bristol, so myself (DJ Stolen) & Jake decided to launch Club Djembe. Luckily for us at the time Josie was working behind the bar at The Love Inn so we managed to throw our first party and it all kicked off from there back in 2017.

What do you think Club Djembe offers to the Bristol music scene?

We know for ourselves and hear from our community that it is hard to find these genres of music in the events scene. Consistency (which is always key), as we guarantee that no night will stray from the vibe and atmosphere that we like to create - we have an open the door attitude and welcome a variety of people/cultures We also want ticket prices and venues to be affordable and accessible for everyone. And mostly, which we are most proud of, is that we love to support and put on new artists, that's something that excites us the most.

What kinds of events do you think are missing from the Bristol club scene?

Bristol has pretty much been the epicentre for Drum & Bass in the UK for as long as I can remember. It’s really refreshing to see a few more nights popping up that are pushing and promoting the same kind of music as us, Amapiano, UK Funky, Afro House like Lockmars for example. However it would be good to see more of these across Bristol, I think a lot of would be promoters get afraid by the prospect of an event not going well, however the best events from our experience are the ones you put on through a love & passion for the music rather than focusing on the monetary side of events.

What's next for Club Djembe?

The remainder of 2022 is looking RAMMED for us can’t lie. We’re throwing our first proper London event in September which is going to be massive, it’s falling inline with the release of our next compilation, Club Djembe Vol. 3 which is also huge! We then have one more release to go for the year which is from one of our favourite Bristol producers and we also have three more Bristol events in the pipeline including a big Christmas knees up with another sick London/Bristol based promoter so keep your eyes firmly planted on Club Djembe socials over the next few months as we have a lot going on.

Club Djembe will be playing at Trinity's outdoor venue The Den on Sat Aug 27. Click here to grab your tickets.

The good vibes ambassador that he is will be joining forces with reggae and punk veteran Don Letts, London RnB/DnB vocalist Catching Cairo, and long-time collaborator and Bristol producer Kreed to deliver a contagious, high energy performance on the "all things bass" specialist Electrikal Sound System.

Please note this is a standing event

About Trinity Presents:

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

Brooklyn based, Washington DC born, rapper Oddisee comes backed by his 5-piece band Good Company. Reflecting the rich, musical landscape of their hometown, Oddisee & Good Company bring a vibrant mixture of jazz, funk, go-go, gospel, hip-hop, and soul. This high energy and versatile group have a tight dynamic sound and with their killer guitarist, booming drums, and falsetto vocals they are a catchy and groovy bunch who humbly aim to be heard.

Oddisee's music draws inspiration from his youth, bearing witness to stark inequality as the sights and sounds of Washington DC surrounded him. Since then, he has used his own experiences to reflect on the greater state of humanity, in all its beauty and flaws.

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Please not this is a standing event

Having taken their time to craft, and with their new, self-titled, fourth album on the way, The Hunna are open, raw, rocking hard, and saying it how it is. Their musical angst is seething with colossal riffs, irresistible melodies, and memorable lyrics. The group have an insanely devoted fanbase guaranteed to turn every gig and festival appearance into an unmissable event.

Tickets on sale: Fri 5 Aug, 9am

Please note, this is a standing show

Headlining this Trinity x Club Djembe Day Party is one of the best DJs in the game, Oneman. Mixing dubstep, garage, techno, and UK funky, Oneman is supported by Club Djembe's finest residents.

Line up:

• Oneman (Rinse FM)
• Rema Mukena (Reprezent)
• Joselitaa (SWU.FM)
• DJ Polo (Rinse FM)
• DJ Stolen (SWU.FM)

About Trinity Presents:

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

About The Den:

The Den is Trinity’s new, seasonal outdoor venue. Situated within the historic grounds of Trinity, The Den is designed to feel like a magical corner of a festival, with its own bar, food offer and a backdrop of the vibrant community garden.

Mykki Blanco blurs genres, pulling rave, trap, grunge and punk influences into a swirling pool of experimental hip hop that celebrates queer and trans experiences. Leading the charge as a pioneering trailblazer in the so-called ‘queer rap’ sub-genre, their music pushes hip hop to some of its most untethered bounds, melding noise and experimental elements with club and trap sounds, whilst forging a uniquely subversive path within a genre historically entangled in a problematic web of misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia.

Joining forces with Kelsey Lu to drop their newest single, French Lessons, and album, Stay Close to Music, due to release this year, Mykki is fearless in their ability to evolve, placing their creative exploration at the forefront of their career.

Please note, this is a standing show

Special Guests:

• Grove
• Rider Shafique
• Tiny Chapter
• Stanlaey

+ support from Jelly Cleaver

“A band seemingly capable of doing anything, yet remaining fleet footedly themselves throughout.”  - The Wire

“Incredible independent music from Bristol. These guys just get better with every release” - Gilles Peterson

Please note, this is a standing show

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

The DJ collective keep the dancefloor on their toes, bouncing between 90's/00's hip hop and R&B, dancehall, afrobeat, UK garage, baile funk, global club, and more.

A high-energy day party with DJs, local food, children's activities, and pass the parcel (for all ages) hosted by the Dancehall Generals.

Under 5s go free

DJs

• Queen Bee (Bristol Hi Fi)
• Dancehall Generals
• DJ Dad
• Moylan Family
• LEXXI (Peachin’)
• SafeSoul (Peachin’)
• Ella-Sian (Peachin')

Activities

• Children's face painting
• Children's crafts
• Pass the parcel, hosted by the Dancehall Generals, with prizes all ages

Food stalls

• Stop Ya Beefin (vegan donuts and pies)
• Wrap N Rolla (jerk chicken, loaded fries, wraps)

About The Den

The Den is Trinity’s new, seasonal outdoor venue. Situated within the historic grounds of Trinity, The Den is designed to feel like a magical corner of a festival, with its own bar, food offer and a backdrop of the vibrant community garden.

Don’t miss a rare chance to see Black Roots live at Trinity on 02 July as part of The Mid Summer Reggae Festival – hosted by Dub Legacy and one of Bristol’s top radio stations Ujima. Black Roots will be joined by some of the best soundsystems in the scene including Green King and Indica Dubs.

The history of Black Roots is intertwined with Bristol’s relationship with reggae and the reggae scene as a whole. Formed in St Paul’s in 1979, the group were an integral part of the early sound system culture in the late 1970s/early 1980s that defined Bristol’s music scene at the time. Set against a backdrop of rising racial tensions in the city, seen most clearly through the St Paul’s Riot in 1980, the emerging sound system culture was a way for young Black people in the city to carve their own space within the local music scene.

While discriminatory entry policy barred entry for many young Black people in a number of Bristol’s venues, Trinity opened its doors and soon became renowned for hosting reggae and sound system events.

Sound system culture was part of a wider DIY scene that still exists in Bristol today and the grassroots approach to music allows for local people to define their city’s music scene from the ground up. After garnering international acclaim for their raw, honest approach to roots reggae, Black Roots went quiet until 2004 when they went on to drop 4 new albums ‘On the ground’, ‘Ghetto Feel’, ‘Son of Man’ and ‘Take it’. Their newest release was in 2021 ‘Take it Easy’.

This event is not to be missed - click here below to check out the full line-up and get your tickets.

Line Up

• A For Alpha
• Bluetoof
• Dr Dubplate
• Fliss Mayo
• Longeez b2b Lily Huu
• Plus two Special Guests

About The Den:

The Den is Trinity’s new, seasonal outdoor venue. Situated within the historic grounds of Trinity, The Den is designed to feel like a magical corner of a festival, with its own bar, food offer and a backdrop of the vibrant community garden.

LICK creates a space for female/nb to party hard and let loose for a night of fun. This multi-genre night presents a collective of fiery female/nb DJ’s, blending Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Afrobeats music.  

DJ’s: 

• Miller Black  
  

• Chantelle Ayanna  
  

• Janelle Wynter

If you are coming alone and would like to meet some new friends please contact the meet-up group @licknclique on Instagram.

Please note, LICK is filmed and photographed for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be on camera, please politely approach the staff filming/photographing on the night and let them know.

Tickets on sale: Fri 17 June, 10am

Please note, this is a standing show

Oscar's creative vision is to make music with sincerity and pay homage to his countless inspirations, including George Benson, Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane. Laying the foundations for his musical legacy, Oscar's new work sees him open up and explore new layers of himself. Sweet Isolation is the start of a special run of music.

Support from King Heron

Please note, this is a standing show

Les Filles de Illighadad are revolutionaries reclaiming tende music and bringing their ancient village folk music into the modern era.

“Mesmerizing sounds from the Sahara”- The New York Times

“Heady, trance-inducing songs that burrow into your brain and spread through your body” - Rolling Stone

+ support from

Mohamed Errebbaa

Sunun

Please note, this is a standing show

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.