Battle of the Legal Bands Gig Report

Posted on26 June 2026

Bristol Battle of the Legal Bands took place night in what turned out to be one of the coolest venues in Bristol on a 350C evening!

With a great audience turnout, in-spite of the heat, we turned the clock back to the 1970's and were treated to amazing set lists and costumes as yet again the local sector showed their talents beyond the day job.

We also had a Battle of the Bands first as Stephen Horton of Stranger Thrings joined the bowie rufus on stage for their rendition of Under Pressure!

Thanks to our photographer for the evening -Aaron Simms at Thrings. Photos will follow soon on the gallery so keep your eyes peeled for those!

Thanks to our MC for the night, Stuart Henry, who as ever did a brilliant job, and to our Judge judges DDJ Jonathan Napier and DDJ Nick Martindale!

Thanks also to Denise Johnson-Carr from SARI, our Charity of the Year who spoke brilliantly about what SARI do. All profits will go to the Charity.

RESULTS

Best Band: Skeleton Exchange (3PB)

Best 70's track: Bohemian Rhapsody (Stranger Thrings)

Best vocalist: Ghaydaa Hassan, Manic Freeth Preachers

Best Musician: Jack Lewis (Manic Freeth Preachers) - Shout out to Jack's mum who also stepped in to drum that afternoon after a drop out due to illness!

Best Dressed Audience member: Chris Norman (No5 Chambers)

Best Dressed Band Member: Ben Holt (The Bowie Rufus/ The Narrow Keys)

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS