Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Ya Freshness goes to town on the original rudeboy boss sound with a proper authentic, highly danceable take on classic Jamaican ska and UK two-tone culture. Expect ecstatic live energy, skanking feet, skronking brass and lyrical calls for unity. Essential FFO: the Skatalites, Prince Buster, the Specials, Madness etc."
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A gig on Friday 18th October. The event starts at 19:30.
Cotham Club
presents:
YA FRESHNESS
& THE BIG BOSS BAND
Glorious, dance-crazy ska: maximal moonstomp joy.
-
A PROPERLY AUTHENTIC 'RUDE BOY' BOSS SOUND SPECIAL; ECSTATIC FEEL-GOOD ENERGY, SKANKING FEET, SKRONKING BRASS, TASTY VOCALS, AND SLICK, AGIT-POP LYRICS.
-
Godfrey Green (Ya Freshness): vocals
Knud Stűwe: lead guitar
Jack Owen: rhythm guitar
Nicky Owen: keyboard
David Mowat: trumpet
Rob Scott: saxophone
Jo Price: trombone
Keith 'Busta Bass' Douglas: bass guitar
Simon 'Rhythm Tickler' Cass: drums
-
'Music is life. Live a fun one. Listen to ska.'
Walt Jabsco
Skank to the bouncy state-of-the-nation ska of charismatic 'rude boy' singer Ya Freshness (Godfrey Green) and his electrifying band; contemporary smashers capturing the thrill of the 60s and 70s classic Jamaican ska sound - inverted rhythms, jazzy sass, bristling brass interplay, loose skank, killer choruses, offbeat vocals and deftly acerbic lyrics.
Jamaica's independence in August 1962 marked not just the sovereignty of a new nation but the arrival of a new music destined to become a global force; an innovative, eminently danceable, sharp-suited, political and proudly multiracial musical movement that channelled straight into the cultural bloodstream of Britain, energised a generation, and reverberates to this day worldwide with its potent, explicitly anti-racist and anti-violence message.
In his immaculate button-down shirt and pork-pie hat, Godfrey Green is the frantic cheerleading focal point of this feverish music. Brimming with talent, the band's relentlessly enthusiastic members let rip with their 'instruments of joy'.
'So real … it's got so much life; it's the most vital music in the world.'
David Bowie
-
For further concerts in the 2024 Cotham Club season, visit: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
-
Cotham Club: a brilliant, eclectic monthly live global music club with a passion for community at its core.
Music, with all its subtlety and spirit, has immense power to unite people. It is the universal language of mankind. The sounds of Africa, America, Eurasia and Oceania have always found a home in Bristol and there are few better examples of the city's cultural cross-pollination than Cotham Club, a celebration in sound of what unites rather than divides. Each month we showcase some of the most diverse and brilliant musicians from Bristol and beyond, linking audiences to great music and to each other.
'Community-focused gigs welcoming an array of global musicians and gig-goers of all ages, genders, neurotypes and ethnicities.'
Bristol 24/7
epic cross-generational gigs (+) grassroots vibes (+) warmest crowds (in) brilliant space (w/) unique atmosphere (+) intimate feel (=) great night out
Facebook: facebook.com/cotham.club
Instgram: instagram.com/cotham.club
-
Book tickets:
standard ticket prices (unless otherwise indicated): £14 in advance | £16 on the door | £5 concessions | £2 under-18s
in advance:
from Headfirst Bristol online ticket shop: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
all tickets bought online should be printed or presented on your mobile phone/device
on-the-door:
tickets available in person from 7pm (subject to availability)
discounts:
● £5 concession tickets are available for: recipients of Universal and Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance; full time students (NUS or valid student ID card); people with registered disabilities; and members of the Musicians' Union (The MU)
● £2 concession tickets are available for: accompanied under-18s
● free tickets are available for: asylum seekers/refugees; personal/care assistants or essential companions; and accompanied under-5s
pay-it-forward:
if you're feeling generous and you have the means, please consider choosing this rate | each Pay It Forward ticket helps to subsidise concession tickets, and enables us to engage all communities of Bristol, helping more people experience the delight of watching live music
-
Venue address:
Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road (top of St Michael's Hill), Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR
-
Drink & eat:
choose from a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer, and cider), hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks
Access:
level access from street to foyer, box office, auditorium, bar and toilets
Toilets:
accessible/wheelchair accessible toilets available
Travel:
bus: Firstbus service 72 (Bristol Temple Meads Station to UWE Frenchay Campus): firstbus.co.uk
train: 10 minute walk from Clifton Down Train Station: gwr.com | 15 minute walk from Redland Train Station: gwr.com
walking: 15 minute walk up St Michael's Hill from Christmas Steps | 10 minute walk from Everyman Cinema, Whiteladies Road | 15 minute walk from The Arches, Cheltenham Road
Car parking:
on-street parking available | limited on-site accessible parking available for Blue Badge holders
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
presents:
YA FRESHNESS
& THE BIG BOSS BAND
Glorious, dance-crazy ska: maximal moonstomp joy.
-
A PROPERLY AUTHENTIC 'RUDE BOY' BOSS SOUND SPECIAL; ECSTATIC FEEL-GOOD ENERGY, SKANKING FEET, SKRONKING BRASS, TASTY VOCALS, AND SLICK, AGIT-POP LYRICS.
-
Godfrey Green (Ya Freshness): vocals
Knud Stűwe: lead guitar
Jack Owen: rhythm guitar
Nicky Owen: keyboard
David Mowat: trumpet
Rob Scott: saxophone
Jo Price: trombone
Keith 'Busta Bass' Douglas: bass guitar
Simon 'Rhythm Tickler' Cass: drums
-
'Music is life. Live a fun one. Listen to ska.'
Walt Jabsco
Skank to the bouncy state-of-the-nation ska of charismatic 'rude boy' singer Ya Freshness (Godfrey Green) and his electrifying band; contemporary smashers capturing the thrill of the 60s and 70s classic Jamaican ska sound - inverted rhythms, jazzy sass, bristling brass interplay, loose skank, killer choruses, offbeat vocals and deftly acerbic lyrics.
Jamaica's independence in August 1962 marked not just the sovereignty of a new nation but the arrival of a new music destined to become a global force; an innovative, eminently danceable, sharp-suited, political and proudly multiracial musical movement that channelled straight into the cultural bloodstream of Britain, energised a generation, and reverberates to this day worldwide with its potent, explicitly anti-racist and anti-violence message.
In his immaculate button-down shirt and pork-pie hat, Godfrey Green is the frantic cheerleading focal point of this feverish music. Brimming with talent, the band's relentlessly enthusiastic members let rip with their 'instruments of joy'.
'So real … it's got so much life; it's the most vital music in the world.'
David Bowie
-
For further concerts in the 2024 Cotham Club season, visit: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
-
Cotham Club: a brilliant, eclectic monthly live global music club with a passion for community at its core.
Music, with all its subtlety and spirit, has immense power to unite people. It is the universal language of mankind. The sounds of Africa, America, Eurasia and Oceania have always found a home in Bristol and there are few better examples of the city's cultural cross-pollination than Cotham Club, a celebration in sound of what unites rather than divides. Each month we showcase some of the most diverse and brilliant musicians from Bristol and beyond, linking audiences to great music and to each other.
'Community-focused gigs welcoming an array of global musicians and gig-goers of all ages, genders, neurotypes and ethnicities.'
Bristol 24/7
epic cross-generational gigs (+) grassroots vibes (+) warmest crowds (in) brilliant space (w/) unique atmosphere (+) intimate feel (=) great night out
Facebook: facebook.com/cotham.club
Instgram: instagram.com/cotham.club
-
Book tickets:
standard ticket prices (unless otherwise indicated): £14 in advance | £16 on the door | £5 concessions | £2 under-18s
in advance:
from Headfirst Bristol online ticket shop: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
all tickets bought online should be printed or presented on your mobile phone/device
on-the-door:
tickets available in person from 7pm (subject to availability)
discounts:
● £5 concession tickets are available for: recipients of Universal and Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance; full time students (NUS or valid student ID card); people with registered disabilities; and members of the Musicians' Union (The MU)
● £2 concession tickets are available for: accompanied under-18s
● free tickets are available for: asylum seekers/refugees; personal/care assistants or essential companions; and accompanied under-5s
pay-it-forward:
if you're feeling generous and you have the means, please consider choosing this rate | each Pay It Forward ticket helps to subsidise concession tickets, and enables us to engage all communities of Bristol, helping more people experience the delight of watching live music
-
Venue address:
Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road (top of St Michael's Hill), Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR
-
Drink & eat:
choose from a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer, and cider), hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks
Access:
level access from street to foyer, box office, auditorium, bar and toilets
Toilets:
accessible/wheelchair accessible toilets available
Travel:
bus: Firstbus service 72 (Bristol Temple Meads Station to UWE Frenchay Campus): firstbus.co.uk
train: 10 minute walk from Clifton Down Train Station: gwr.com | 15 minute walk from Redland Train Station: gwr.com
walking: 15 minute walk up St Michael's Hill from Christmas Steps | 10 minute walk from Everyman Cinema, Whiteladies Road | 15 minute walk from The Arches, Cheltenham Road
Car parking:
on-street parking available | limited on-site accessible parking available for Blue Badge holders
Entry requirements: no age restrictions