Stay in Bath for the Bath International Music Festival – Party in the City

Next weekend sees the start of the 2016 Bath International Music Festival. Performers of all kinds from across the world will be coming to Bath to perform in venues around the city. There will be jazz, choirs, drumming, opera, rock – every genre of music you care to think of will be represented, and possibility even a few you never knew existed. But before we get carried away with ourselves, in this blog we want to have a look at a few highlights that will be part of the big festival opener on Friday 20^th. 

Each year the festival starts with a bang, and this year is no exception. “Party in the City” is a free event which will see over 30 venues come alive with folk, rock, swing and more. A bonus this year however is that for the first time there will be two live open-air stages;  one at the Parade Gardens and one at Queens Square, along with local food and drink stalls.

With so many venues and the main party due to run from 5:30pm until late, there’s no way you can see everything on offer. So here are a few of the shows that we think look too good to miss:

-     --      If you can get a ticket (they’re free but numbers are limited) then you can relax in the thermal waters of the historic Cross Bath while enjoying a live jazz rendition of the old classics. Plus, if you can get a 4 o’clock ticket there’ll be plenty of time to dry off and get changed before the main party starts.  

 
-       The first band to take to the Parade Garden stage at 6pm will be Eastpole Orchestra, who mix Balkan music with psychedelic rock and swing. A good one to watch to get in the party mood.
 
-       At 6:50 Project Zulu; 24 amazing children from South Africa, will treat Bath Abbey to traditional Zulu songs and dances.
 
-       If you’re a classical music devotee then Lucis, who’ll be at St Swithins Church from 7:10 until 7:30, may be for you. They will be performing excerpts from Rutter’s Requiem.  
 
-       Then when you get hungry try heading to The Boater. They have amazing food and will have Barry Lane & The Fridge Mechanics performing from 7:50-8:30 (think Paul Simon or Ralph McTell) who you can enjoy listening to while you eat.   
 
-       Next, in Queens Square from 9pm-10pm will be The Blues Others. A thirteen-piece band who’re the South West’s top Blues Brothers tribute act. 
 
-       Then round the night off at Komedia with Swingersband who start their set at 10 and will play late into the night. They’ve got rock show attitude and blend an incredible electro swing sound with wonderful vintage remixes. Definitely one to dance the night away with!