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Thekla is a world-famous and award-winning live music venue and club space, operated by independent national promoter DHP Family, on board a converted German cargo ship moored in Bristol Harbour since 1984, having just recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
Thekla is a former German cargo ship moored in Bristol’s harbour, that is now home to an award winning nationally renowned live music venue. Opened in 1984 by Ki Longfellow, Vivian Stanshall and Peter Jackson, it is now operated by national promoter DHP Family. In its history, it has played hosts to artists like Pulp, Stormzy, Phoebe Bridgers, Catfish & The Bottlemen, and hundreds more iconic artists.
The showboat was based on the idea of creating, owning, and running a theatre on a sea-going ship and using it to showcase music of every sort (limited only by the size of the hold), including cabaret, comedy, plays, musicals, and poetry events.
After Ki and Vivian left the project in the mid 80s, Peter Jackson carried the torch of the venue alongside a host of legendary Bristolians who ran it as a nightclub for hire throughout the 90s up to 2006 when it was purchased by DHP.
Thekla continues to thrive to this day as one of the city’s most popular nightclubs and music venues both in memory of Ki, Viv & Peter – and in an ongoing effort to nurture and host Bristol’s enthralling music scene.
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