Trinity launches Seedling Sessions 2026 with International Women’s Day showcase celebrating women shaping Bristol’s music scene

Trinity will mark International Women’s Day 2026 by launching a new chapter of Seedling Sessions, spotlighting women shaping Bristol’s grassroots music scene both on and off stage.

Taking place on Sunday 8 March 2026 in Trinity’s Fyfe Hall, Seedling Sessions: Celebrating Women in Music continues the Trinity Presents 2026 programme with a bold, women-led showcase as part of Trinity’s 50th year of community arts.

Founded in 2016 by Bristol artist MĀDŁY, Seedling Sessions was created to address the lack of accessible platforms for emerging artists and creatives, particularly women and people from underrepresented backgrounds. This celebration builds on that legacy with a renewed focus on off-stage pathways, alongside live performance for women and non-binary local talent.

This iteration of Seedling Sessions launches at a time when gender inequality remains deeply embedded across the UK music industry.

Despite women making up over half of the music workforce, they hold just “27% of CEO roles” within the UK live music sector (LIVE & Women in CTRL, 2025). On stage, representation remains similarly uneven, “63% of acts were male, compared to around 21% female or female‑fronted acts,” equating to roughly one woman for every three men booked (A2D2, 2024). Behind the scenes, the imbalance is most extreme, with women making up just “5–7% of audio engineers and producers” (Birmingham City University / UK music technology sector estimate).

This edition of Seedling Sessions showcases local independent artists working across hip hop, pop, dance, punk and alternative music, while recognising the technical, creative and organisational roles that make grassroots music possible, reflecting the depth and diversity of women driving the city’s grassroots music scene today.

Line-up announced:

Badliana

A Bristol-based artist known for her dark and alternative sound, blending grime, rap, and alternative R&B with haunting vocals. A fearless performer, she has gained support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 1XTRA, and BBC Introducing. Currently part of Big Team's Next Level program, she is gearing up for 2026 with new releases, including the single "Bright Lights."

RED

RED is an exciting new voice in pop and dance music. Based in Bristol, this singer, songwriter, and producer blends infectious beats with emotionally charged songwriting and self-created 3D visuals. Her unapologetically queer, genre-defying music fuses glossy pop, underground club energy, and personal storytelling.

Moxie Dolls

An all girl alt/indie rock band from Bristol, advocating for feminist change in the music industry. Known for their catchy riffs and heavy sound, they have sold out venues like The Louisiana and Café Kino while building a strong presence in the local scene.

Speaking about Seedling Sessions, founder Cassie MĀDŁY commented:

“Seedling Sessions started 10 years ago as a response to seeing how many talented people were being overlooked or excluded from opportunities in music, especially women and people from underrepresented backgrounds. This International Women’s Day show isn’t about box-ticking – it’s about recognising the women who are already shaping our scene, on stage and behind the scenes, and creating space for them to thrive.”

One previous sound technician, Eleri Hewitt commented:

"Breaking into live sound can feel really closed-off, especially if you don’t already have connections. Seedling Sessions opened a door for me, it wasn’t just about helping out, it was about being supported and taken seriously."

This show forms part of Trinity Presents, Trinity’s in-house programme bringing outstanding performers and exciting new voices to communities at the heart of the city. The announcement follows previously revealed Trinity Presents shows, including Grove (sold out), and Mia Kodan & Friends.

As Trinity celebrates 50 years of music, community and empowerment, Seedling Sessions 2026 reinforces its ongoing commitment to nurturing talent, amplifying underrepresented voices, and supporting the future of grassroots music in Bristol.

Event listing details

Seedling Sessions: Celebrating Women in Music 
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026 
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm 
Venue: Trinity Centre, Fyfe Hall 
Tickets: Available via Headfirst
Age: 14+ (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult) 
Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

The band consists of members Nina Cristante, Sam Fenton, and Jezmi Tarik Fehmi. Their name is derived from the Soho café Bar Italia.

+ support tba

Doors: 19:00

Last entry: 21:00

Curfew: 23:00

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot contact Trinity, but to arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Described as an Encontro, or meeting, Tambor will provide a feast of live performances and workshops, including samba, maracatu, Afoxé, reggae-samba, capoeira music, and much more.

Line up Saturday:

- SambaYaBamba

- Bloco B- Nordestinos

- Juba do Leão

- Samba Galez

- Bristol Capoeora

- Bloco Fogo

- Baque Trovão

- Kaboozle

- Garden City Samba

- Arco Iris

- Karamba Samba

- The Silver Sambistas

Line up Sunday:

- Safrela

- Ilu Axe

- Bristol Samba

- Carnaval Transatlântico

- Olá Samba

- Pocket Bloco

- Barracwada

- Mojuba

- Batala Bristol

- Samba Doc

- Sambassadors of Groove

- Simbora

- Sol Samba

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Celeste Epiphany Waite, known by the mononym Celeste, is an English singer and songwriter.

She began her career in 2014 providing vocals for electronic producers such as Avicii, Tieks and Real Lies, while also self-publishing music onto SoundCloud on the side.

+ support tbc

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

They celebrate an incredible 35 years of the mighty Iration Steppas Soundsystem. The Vanguard of Dub will be stringing up their QSS rig and taking us through the decades of their dub box.  Joined by Dego Ranks on the mic, this will be some serious vibes; Operator, selector and micman in a style and pattern.

In the other corner we have Bristol based Firmly Rooted Soundsystem, they will bring their much loved scoops and set up ready to add their own energy to this massive celebration.  With both Lionpulse and Joe Peng on mic duties this guarantees to be killer.  Two sounds, one arena.

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Featuring:

Natalie Holmes:Haunting yet uplifting alt-pop from a poetic songwriter whose honey-toned vocals and dreamy soundscapes have captured hearts and BBC acclaim.

Potter: A soulful performer with unforgettable choruses, virtuosic guitar, and a soaring tenor. Honest, heartfelt, and back doing what he loves most.

Wœrmhole: Titanic riffs and powerful vocals from Bristol’s own 5-piece alt-rock outfit. Grunge meets hard rock in a sound that hits like an earthquake.

Don’t miss this chance to catch the next wave of local talent, raw, real, and ready to blow you away.

Please note this is a seating event.

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music and performance, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

- Hixxy

- Tøxyblue

- Tanukichi

- Keptek

- Matt Scratch b2b T-Menace and Soundchecka

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

To mark the occasion, we are linking up and running not one but two nights of dub over the weekend.

Saturday: Powered by QSS

• King Shiloh ft Black Omolo
• Dub-Stuy Showcase ft Q-Masta, Edica, Jonnygo Figure + guests
• Vixen Sound
• Qualitex Roots Vibration

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

To mark the occasion, we are linking up and running not one but two nights of dub over the weekend.

Friday: Powered by Concrete Lion

• King Earthquake (3 hour set) - Only UK show
• Concrete Lion ft Black Omolo
• 1Relation ft Rosina, Wilfy Rootical, & Johnny Fisha

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music and performance, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

Three stages of Music, South Asian Food Stalls, Live Instrument Performances, Silent Disco, Chillout Room Ft. Live + DJ Downtempo Sets and more

Line up:

- Brown Excellence (Live & DJ)

- BAALTI (Special Guest)

- JAWARI (Live Band)

- Arabesque

- Shivani Sen

- Sway of the Verses

- Tommy Khosla (Live)

- Vishnu Vijayan

+ more

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

There is enough nastiness in the world and sometimes it feels like there's not much we can do to combat that. That being said,  we can still get together in a room, move our bodies as freely as they will allow us to, and enjoy each other's company for a night of dancing, making friends, and that feels like something to celebrate. They want this to be a space where people can feel held, throw their limbs about to some really interesting music, and enjoy each other. They hope this party gives you a twinkle in your eye, and a place to forget about the things that may weigh you down on a day to day basis.

Expect: Cumbia, Salsa, Highlife, Congotronics, Lovers rock, New Orleans Jazz, Bhangra, Calypso, Merengue and many more.

They've got an amazing live act playing through the soundsystem as well; Will keep it a secret, it's going to be special.
Bring earplugs and a towel.
Wheelchair accessible + epilepsy friendly
£5 tickets for people on no/low income (please be honest)

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Fresh from their 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals feat. Leba Hibbert bring reggae’s true spirit back to the stage. Formed in the 1960s and famed for classics like 54-46 Was My Number, Monkey Man and Pressure Drop, the Maytals remain one of reggae’s most iconic groups. Now led by Toots’ daughter Leba, expect a powerful celebration of timeless hits and living legacy.

+ Special guests

Doors: 19:00

Last entry: 21:00

Curfew: 23:00

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

They know there's lots of choices in the amazing city of Bristol, so they're dropping in to let you know they are back for their next label night with us.

Line-up:

- Coco Dubz

- Goth-Trad

- Joe Nice

- Mala

- Mucky Update

- Youngsta

- SGT Pokes

Powered by Sinai sound

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

A rising star in the underground music scene, Bakey is know for masterfully combining elements of UK Garage, Jungle, and bass heavy music, many being his own unique productions. With a catalogue of iconic releases and ever growing reputation in the scene, he has become a staple underground artist to watch.

Line up:

- MC AD

- DJ Flight

- Pluralist

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

In their original form they were 2 women and 2 men, the objective being to show that women and men can work together as equals.

Lesley Woods led the band as frontperson, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist. Lesley was once described as “”one of the most striking women in British rock”.

Their first album 'Playing With A Different Sex' is a post-punk classic and focusses on gender and other politics. A critic from The Guardian praised it for its “viciously well-observed lyrics on contemporary life, love and the role of women “.

The band is re-forming beginning 2026 when they commence a UK tour with Lesley Woods and new members. The 2 women/2 men balance remains .

Au Pairs blend political lyrics with a tough funk-dance-rock idiom which is as relevant today as it ever was. 

+ support: Gina Birch and the Unreasonables

Doors: 19:00

Last entry: 21:00

Curfew: 23:00

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.