One can’t talk about gigs in Bristol and not mention a certain local character who goes by the name of Big Jeff. If it’s a gig worth going to, Big Jeff will be there, any night, any venue, front-row-centre, dancing frantically (more often than not topless) and sweatily waving his giant blonde afro along to anything with a beat. Described as a human metronome, Big Jeff reportedly goes to eight gigs a week and has become somewhat of a local celebrity. A self confessed live music addict, Bristol is fiercely proud of Big Jeff, even more so because when dancing he’s not smashed off his face on drink or drugs, he’s just there for the love of the music man!

Even if the band you’re watching don’t turn out to be all that good, Big Jeff will provide a fab night of entertainment by inciting everyone around him to dance no matter what. Don’t be surprised too if the band drag him up onstage to dance with them or even hand him an instrument or two. As long as Bristol has Big Jeff we will be the envy of any other city on the live music circuit. If you’re going to start checking out live music in Bristol, you will quickly become familiar with this man.

Matt Whittle
Photo: Kane Rich