George Ward
Freelance journalist and online editor for CLUNK. Can be found out and about in Bristol, finding cheap records or having a pint on King Street.
With Bristol’s Simple Things Festival coming up this Saturday, here are our picks from the stacked 2026 lineup
Simple Things Festival is set to return to Bristol this Saturday 7th November, following an opening party from Psychedelic Porn Crumpets on Friday 6th November. Tickets are available here.
With a headline set from legendary electronic duo The Avalanches, guest curations from Squid, Cobrah and more, and Bristol’s most musically diverse lineup of the year, we’re buzzed to return to Simple Things this weekend. Here are some of our picks to help you make your way around the city.
My New Band Believe
Fronted by former black midi bassist/vocalist Cameron Picton, My New Band Believe is an ever-shifting collective of sorts. Along with a long list of collaborators, Picton’s new project sees him lean far more into folk influences than ever before, with the self-titled debut album played almost entirely acoustically.
Live, the band are unpredictable, sometimes staying true to these acoustic roots, sometimes performing far heavier arrangements. Having caught them a couple of times this year already for two entirely different sets, we’re excited to see which direction they choose to head in for their Simple Things debut.
Check out our interview with My New Band Believe here.
caroline
Another band playing with the folk genre in fascinating ways is caroline, a firm favourite over here at CLUNK. Their album ‘caroline 2’ saw them reach new heights, both becoming more experimental sonically, as well as more accessible in terms of their songwriting.
With the touring of this album drawing to a close after a series of tours and festival appearances, don’t miss the chance to see these tracks performed live; it’s truly some of the most emotional, powerful and creative music to be released in years.
Have a read of our interview with caroline here.
comfort
One of Squid’s choices for their guest curator lineup are comfort, a welcome discovery we made when making our way through the lineup. Made up of siblings Natalie and Sean, comfort’s music is as catchy as it is abrasive, with harsh drums and experimental production alongside confronting lyrics from their experiences in Glasgow’s queer DIY scene.
Bathing Suits
After a huge year, we’re very excited to catch Bathing Suits in Bristol this weekend. 2026 saw their debut EP ‘KILL Bathing Suits’ put out into the world, as well as vocalist Freyja Blevins walking for Vivienne Westwood at Paris Fashion Week; the buzz around Bathing Suits is very real and very much deserved.
With a sound reminiscent of the clubbier sound of Mandy, Indiana, as well as a song featuring that band’s vocalist Valentine Caulfield, Bathing Suits scratch our noisy, dancey itch perfectly.
A Good Year
Copenhagen duo A Good Year released their second album ‘Play’, a psychedelic, poppy and stylish indie record, with features from Helena Gao, Horse Vision and many more. Their sound is tight and well produced, with jangly songwriting and interesting electronic textures, and we’re excited to see how they bring it to life on Saturday.