Our students take to the stage at this year's Bristol Harbour Fest

We look back on another stellar year at Bristol’s Harbour Fest, and get the inside scoop from the students that performed on the 'Bristol Rising' stage. 

Bristol Harbour Festival is something of an institution. Celebrating the best and brightest creative talent of the city and backdropped by the sun-tinged waterline, it’s an essential way to enjoy the summer. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to cut their teeth and get some real-world experience. Only last year, on a somewhat wetter Harbour Fest than usual, several of our students worked as artist liaisons and stage managers. 

This year, in collaboration with our partners at Access Creative College, several of our students were able to get in the thick of it on the ‘Bristol Rising’ stage. On Sunday 22nd July, BSc (Hons) Live Sound student Jon Carter took up position behind the mixing desk for a series of live performances from ACC Bristol’s students. 

Reflecting on the experience on his Instagram page, Jon said, “What a brilliant day that was Bristol Harbour Fest day two. Big love to the students from Access Creative College Bristol, they absolutely smashed it all day. All super keen and will be making big moves in the industry within a couple years.Some of them were on their first real show with some very tight changeovers and just took the pressure like champions.”

Jon’s hard work was clearly appreciated. “Jon, we can’t thank you enough! You absolutely smashed it today,” said Access Creative College Bristol. “Thank you for taking the extra time to teach and guide while keeping a very tight schedule! Until next time (pretty please).”

It wasn’t just ACC students heading to the stage, as Olivia Charley (MA Music Production & Sound Engineering) and BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production student, James Huxley (Senshun) showcased their talents on the Saturday. 

Photo credit: Seanen Middleton

We caught up with Olivia and James, who played the ‘Bristol Rising’ stage to find out more about the day and the lessons they learned from the experience. 

You’ve just wrapped up working at this year’s Harbour Festival, how was it?

Olivia: "It was a great experience, it was just lovely to be in such a great atmosphere where everyone came together in celebration of music."

James: “Yeah the festival was great, the day I was performing was a bit grey and drizzly but there was still a great buzz and atmosphere around, especially where I was performing in Queens Square.” 

You opened and closed the 'Bristol Rising’ stage, respectively - how did it all go? 

Olivia: "It was really humbling and inspiring. It was my first live performance, so I was really excited, but it was such a welcoming crowd!" 

James: “The performance itself felt great, the crowd was amazing and it was really nice to hear some good reactions from what I was doing which helped spur me on.”

Photo credit: Seanen Middleton

How did you hear about the opportunity to perform?

Olivia: "Through dBs. I then applied directly to Access Creative College, who then reached out to me." 

James: “I first heard about the opportunity through Liam [O’Mullane] who was leading my live performance module. Once I had performed my final submission he recommended that I apply for the chance to perform it live at harbour fest so I was super surprised and happy to find out that I got the gig so big shout out to Liam for the encouragement.” 

What was your personal highlight from the weekend?

Olivia: "I just loved having a chance to get up there on stage and share my music with people. The songs always mean so much to me, and it was fun to let other people in on that."

James: “I’d have to say my personal highlight was seeing somebody in the crowd who I had only met a week ago, an older guy named Bill who I got chatting to in a park near where I live. I mentioned I was performing at harbour fest so to actually see that he came to watch the set was a really nice moment, knowing someone took time out of their day to watch you perform.” 

Photo credit: Seanen Middleton

What's the most valuable lesson you learned from the experience? 

Olivia: "That performing isn't as nerve-wracking as I thought! As soon as I got up there I forgot about my nerves, and it felt like any other time I end up singing to myself. Just had a bigger crowd this time!

James: “The most valuable lesson I learned is to be prepared! I decided to only take one extra USB cable with me as I had asked the guys at Access to provide them for me. When it came to setting up they were struggling to find the USB cables I’d asked for. Luckily I brought one with me which meant I could connect the MIDI controller I was using but I wasn’t able to use the MIDI keyboard. Had I brought one more, I could have fixed the problem without a fuss. This also ties well with another lesson I learnt which is finding a way overcome challenges in the moment, I opted to use my laptop keys as a quick fix which wasn’t the same but it allowed the performance to go ahead.”

FIND OUT MORE
Jon Carter - Instagram
Liv Charley - Instagram
https://linktr.ee/senshun 

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