Bristol’s Stokes Croft is set for a unique night of music this Sunday, March 15th, as snooker legend Steve Davis trades his cue for a mixing console. The six-time world champion will be performing a DJ set of ambient electronic music at The Canteen, teaming up with Vel Ilic, features editor for Electronic Sound magazine. The event, dubbed “Ambient Sunday,” aims to turn into a regular fixture on the city’s music scene, offering a chilled-out alternative to the usual weekend nightlife.
Davis, who has increasingly pursued musical interests since retiring from professional snooker, described the vision for the event as a relaxed atmosphere where attendees can enjoy Sunday lunch before immersing themselves in a night of electronic soundscapes. He envisions a “listening following” drawn to “mainly electronic music, maybe ambient music, no beats but stuff they never knew existed,” as he explained in a video posted on TikTok by Electronic Sound.
The Canteen, a popular Stokes Croft venue described as a “cafe-cum-bar-cum-canteen,” will host the free event from 5pm to 9pm. Ilic, speaking on Instagram, noted that the collaboration had been in discussion for some time, stating, “We’ve been talking about doing something together for ages but the stars have finally aligned.”
From Snooker Hall to Soundscapes
Davis’s transition from sporting icon to musician might seem unexpected, but it’s a path he’s been steadily forging for years. He’s already performed DJ sets at major festivals, including Glastonbury, demonstrating a genuine passion for electronic music. His foray into music reflects a broader trend of athletes exploring creative pursuits beyond their primary disciplines.
The event promises an “eclectic set of ambient electronic music,” according to reports, with Ilic hinting at a range of influences including “dark ambient, hauntology, drone, kosmische drift, radiophonic echoes, hypnagogic dream states, soundtracks, essential weirdness and esoterica from the outer edges.” This suggests a carefully curated selection designed to create a unique and immersive sonic experience.
A Dominant Force in Snooker
Before his musical endeavors, Steve Davis cemented his place as one of the greatest snooker players of all time. He dominated the sport throughout the 1980s, securing six World Championship titles and finishing as runner-up twice. Davis held the number one ranking for seven consecutive seasons and, in 1988, was named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year – a distinction no other snooker player has achieved.
(Embedded from TikTok)
Ambient Sunday: Building a Bristol Tradition
Davis’s ambition extends beyond a one-off performance. He hopes “Ambient Sunday” will become a recurring event, fostering a dedicated community of listeners in Bristol. The choice of The Canteen, a well-established and popular venue in Stokes Croft, suggests a deliberate effort to tap into the city’s vibrant cultural scene. The Canteen itself is promoting the event alongside other upcoming performances, including an EP launch by The Foobirds and their Big Tune Musical Bingo night, as noted on their Facebook page.
The event’s free entry further underscores its accessibility, aiming to attract a diverse audience curious about exploring the world of ambient electronic music. The combination of a sporting legend, a respected music journalist, and a welcoming venue creates a compelling proposition for a unique Sunday evening in Bristol.
As “Ambient Sunday” prepares to launch, the focus will be on building that “listening following” Davis envisions. Whether it evolves into a long-term Bristol tradition remains to be seen, but the initial ingredients are certainly in place for a captivating and unconventional musical experience.
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