After two years of cancellations, Bristol can look forward to hosting the iconic Nile Rodgers & CHIC in the South West. The legendary performers are set to undertake two days of outdoor performances this week, accompanied by brilliant weather.
In 2020, Bristolians were excited to welcome them to the city - until the plans were cancelled due to coronavirus. The show was then rescheduled for 2021, but this date also could not go ahead.
They will play consecutive nights today (Wednesday July 13) and Thursday, July 14, at the Lloyds Amphitheatre on Bristol's harbourside. Indie-pop icons Belle and Sebastian will round off the three-day event, presented by Bristol Beacon, on the Friday.
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These outdoor gigs form part of the Bristol Beacon Presents programme, which sees the venue programming concerts across the city’s independent venues it undergoes its multi-million-pound transformation. This will be the fifth year Bristol Beacon has staged events at Bristol’s Harbourside Amphitheatre, following sell-out performances from Goldie and the Heritage Orchestra in 2015, Outlook Orchestra in 2017, Jimmy Cliff and Grandmaster Flash in 2018, and concerts from New Order and The Specials in 2019.
Todd Wills, artistic director at Bristol Beacon, said of the shows: “The response to Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Belle and Sebastian coming to Bristol has been incredible. We have had to reschedule the shows twice due to the pandemic so we are genuinely excited to finally have the opportunity to host this fantastic line up in July.
"They are truly great live acts and we can’t wait to spend three nights with them for some of the most memorable Harbourside shows Bristol Beacon has brought to the city so far.” Here's everything you need to know about the exciting bill of events:
Where is Nile Rodgers & CHIC's Bristol show?
The show will take place at the Amphitheatre in Bristol city centre. The full address is Bristol Amphitheatre and Waterfront Square, Harbourway, Bristol, BS1 5LL.
Are tickets still available?
Tickets are still available, however they are limited. They can be found here.
Which songs are on the set list?
Since co-founding CHIC in 1976, Rodgers has built an unrivalled back catalogue of hits and reshaped the music scene with smashes like 'Dance, Dance, Dance’ , ‘Good Times’ and ‘ Le Freak’ and recent shows have included the favourite tracks. The set list for the recent show in Newcastle, which might hint at what's to come in Bristol, included:
- Chic Cheer
- Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
- Everybody Dance
- I Want Your Love
- I'm Coming Out
- Upside Down
- He's the Greatest Dancer
- We Are Family
- Like a Virgin / Material Girl
- Modern Love
- Spacer
- Soup for One
What are the set times for Nile Rodgers & CHIC's Bristol show?
The Nile Rodgers & CHIC show plans for gates to open at 6pm whilst Amahla, who is mentored by Nile Rodgers himself, will perform at 7.30pm. Then, Nile Rodgers & CHIC will be on stage at 8.45pm and the show is scheduled to end at 10.30pm.
Last entry is at 9pm at Millennium Square.
How to get to Nile Rodgers & CHIC's Bristol show
Bicycle & e-scooter
The closest bicycle racks are off Millennium Square next to We The Curious or behind Watershed.
Voi e-scooters are available for hop-on hop-off short term rental across Bristol. The closest Voi parking is on Anchor Road opposite We The Curious.
Car parking
The closest multi-storey car park is Millennium Square car park with 24 hour parking. If you’re using sat nav, enter BS1 5LL as your destination.
Bus
All bus services with Bristol city centre destinations will stop in the centre near Cascade Steps, or on Anchor Road close to Millennium Square and We The Curious.
Prohibited items at Nile Rodgers & CHIC's Bristol show
There are a number of prohibited items at the Nile Rodgers & CHIC Bristol show. These include:
- Alcohol and food (unless for medical reasons)
- Drugs, legal highs, nitrous oxide
- Glass items
- Seats or chairs
- Umbrellas
- Sharp objects
- Professional cameras or recording equipment
- Rollerblades/skates, skateboards, scooters or bicycles
- Animals (other than guide/assistance dogs)
- Drones
- Laser pens
- Flags
- Flares and fireworks
Is there food and drink available?
Bar and food stalls will open from 6pm for the duration of the event. There will be a range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free food options and card payment preferred at all food and drink stalls.
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