Matthew Barnes
Matthew Barnes
Gig reviewer
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Thousands attended Forwards Festival on The Downs in Bristol (Photo credit: Beth Whelan)

‘Forwards Festival delivers again’ - 2023 two-day festival review

Matthew Barnes (right) literally having a mud bath with friend he’s met at Valley Fest near Bristol

Mud baths, stunning views and great live music - Valley Fest 2023

Mika delights his fans by jumping in the crowd at Bristol Sounds (Photo credit: Ania Shrimpton)

Watch the incredible moment Mika jumps in the crowd at Bristol Sounds

Alex Turner rocked Ashton Gate during a spectacular gig on Monday night

Arctic Monkeys rock Ashton Gate in Bristol - review of ‘perfect set’

Gaz Coombes came to Bristol’s SWX on April 28 as part of his European tour

‘What a performance, what a voice’ - Gaz Coombes at SWX, review

Yo La Tengo at SWX

Yo La Tengo at SWX in Bristol - review

Nick Mulvey at SWX - quite a hit on St Patrick’s Day

‘Acoustic heartfelt folk’ - Nick Mulvey at SWX in Bristol

Shame frontman Charlie Steen on stage at SWX Bristol (photo: Matthew Barnes)

Shame at SWX: Sparks fly at high energy gig from raucous Londoners

Young Fathers proved a big hit with the crowd at SWX (Credit: Giulia Spadafora)

‘Intense joy with a cherry on top’ - Young Fathers at SWX review

Weyes Blood

American singer Weyes Blood mesmerises the SWX Bristol crowd

A gig of passion and outpouring of emotions - The Amity Afflication at SWX (Credit: Giulia Spadafora)

The Amity Affliction at SWX Bristol - review

Bethany Stenning performing with Ishmael Ensemble at the Trinity Centre. Photo Credit: Khali Ackford

Ishmael Ensemble at Trinity Centre - review

Dean Lewis certainly impressed during his gig at SWX

‘Pure emotion’: Dean Lewis makes waves at SWX in Bristol

Elvana Unplugged at Marble Factory (Credit: Barry Richards)

‘Fabulously confused glory’ - Elvana at Marble Factory, review

Sleaford Mods - ‘I was surrounded by people moshing and the first crowd surfing I had seen all weekend’ (Credit: Giulia Spadafora)

Forwards Festival 2022: Second day review by Matthew Barnes

Matthew Barnes with friend Stu at Forwards Festival in Bristol

Forwards Bristol 2022: First day review by gig-goer Matthew Barnes

The band fired off endless classics melting into endless classics as if it’s a show of encores (Credit: Guilia Spadafora)

Nile Rodgers and Chic dazzle in Bristol - review and pictures

Stuart Murdoch was full of energy during Bell and Sebastian’s performance (Credit: Chris Cooper)

Belle and Sebastian at Bristol’s Lloyds Amphitheatre - review

Closing this year’s Bristol Sounds was Philadelphian rock band The War on Drugs. Credit: Ania Shrimpton

War on Drugs close Bristol Sounds 2022 with a gig to remember - review

Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit at Bristol Sounds 2022.

Folk duo First Aid Kit dazzle at Bristol Sounds 2022 - review

Steve Harley at Darwen Theatre. Picture by Darren Robinson

Steve Harley and his Acoustic Band at St George’s Bristol - review

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham performed at Thekla as part of her UK tour (Pic credit: Deborah Jane Arnold)

Madison Cunningham at Thekla - review

IDLES front man Joe Talbot gets the set going in front of a packed crowd at the O2 (Credit Chris Cooper)

IDLES and Portishead deliver at charity gig at Bristol’s O2 Academy