Acoustic gig showcases seven Bristol acts

Some of the hottest acoustic acts in the South West are preparing to help raise funds for St Peter’s Hospice at the launch of this year’s ‘Party for Pete,’ at one of Bristol’s favourite music venues, the Fleece on St Thomas Street.

Kicking off at 6pm on Saturday 17 May, the line-up will feature such great names as Gaz Brookfield, Strung, The Wires, Alannah Jackson, Ben Pang, Harry Swann and Lunch Money.

For the mastermind behind the gig, Bedminster resident Sarah Smither, the inspiration for organising this - her fifth major live music event - was the untiring support given by St Peters Hospice to her husband James (33) who passed away in March 2012 following a fierce battle with bowel cancer.

Since Sarah launched the ‘Party for Pete’ fundraisers two years ago, the scheme has proved so popular that it is now a permanent fixture on Bristol’s events calendar.

The Fleece gig marks the grand opening of the ‘Party for Pete’ season, and has previously been a sell-out. Party for Pete asks people to host their own party in the month of September to raise money for Bristol’s only adult hospice.

Sarah said: “The gigs we’ve organised over the past two years have been a huge success and raised over £10,000 for the hospice. Feedback from people who’ve attended has been great, and knowing how important fundraising is for St Peter’s has prompted me to keep the ball rolling again this year.

“St Peter’s Hospice offered myself and James’ family the most unbelievable care and support when we needed it so I’m delighted to be able to give something back and help let other people know about the wonderful work it does.”

Headlining the acoustic launch party, is Bristol native Gaz Brookfield, a well-known performer at the Fleece where he has sold out on three previous occasions.

Winner of Acoustic Magazine’s Singer Songwriter of the Year in 2010, Gaz has since toured with many well-known names including The Levellers on their O2 Academies tour, when he succeeded in breaking all venue records for numbers of albums sold by a support act every night on the latter tour.

Also on stage will be 11-year-old Alannah Jackson a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Bristol who will be performing with her dad Pete Jackson.

Alannah has been writing songs since she was nine and has recently taken them out onto the live circuit and recorded her first EP.

Alannah’s dad Pete said: “My mum – Alannah’s nan – died from cancer in 2010 and we had so much support from St Peter’s Hospice. They really helped make the whole thing almost bearable so we’re really keen to make this night a success.

“Alannah is also thrilled to be supporting one of her musical heroes Gaz Brookfield at a venue like The Fleece.”

Petra Littlefair, community fundraiser at St Peter’s Hospice said: “I’m so excited about the amazing line-up Sarah’s organised for the acoustic launch party. The continuing growth of ‘Party For Pete’ just goes to show what people can achieve for a good cause!

“It’s going to be a fabulous night and we’re anticipating that tickets are going to sell fast. We look forward to having fun at the Fleece with lots of local music lovers and supporting the city’s only adult hospice at the same time.

Tickets for the acoustic launch party are £8 each, available online at thefleece.co.uk (an 80p booking fee is applicable).

St Peter’s Hospice supporters who would like to hold their own ‘Party For Pete’ in September, can plan any party on any theme they like, for example a classy cocktail party, an adults’ fancy dress party or a children’s party. Funds are raised for St Peter’s Hospice by partygoers donating a ‘party fee’ to the charity.

If you would like to hold a ‘Party for Pete’ in September, please contact the fundraising office on 01275 391 430 for a registration form, email petra.littlefair[at]stpetershospice.org.uk or register online at partyforpete.org.uk

As Bristol’s only adult hospice, St Peter’s Hospice cares for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.

All services are provided free of charge but this care costs around £18,000 a day. For around £13,000 of that, the hospice relies on gifts in wills, kind donations and funds generated by the hospice shops.