Still gutted about two years without Glasto? Well, luckily, the people behind the coolest corner of the festival, Shangri-La, have just opened a new independent arts centre and bar in central Bristol – Lost Horizon HQ.
In its festival format, Shangri-La stuns Glastonbury punters with larger-than-life art installations and secret stages that play host to every kind of hedonism right through till the early hours. The organisers promise to translate this energy into the new space – bringing art, music and cocktails to St Jude’s, just beyond the city centre.
Photograph: Ramona Carraro Photography
Shangri-La’s signature has to be its dizzying handcrafted structures, and Lost Horizon HQ will place just as much focus eye-popping artwork. They’ll be inviting artists from all over the world to display their pieces. There’s also an events programme planned – spanning live music, DJs, drag acts and more.
The number of people who can get in right now is severely capped due to Covid, but the venue will be able to let in 350 merry-makers at a time when restrictions are lifted (fingers crossed that’ll be July 19). After a summer of glumly watching past Glastonbury highlights on the TV – and seeing venues closing basically everywhere you look – it’s enough to bring an optimistic tear to the eye.
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