In May 2024, Thekla celebrated its 40th year operating as a venue in Bristol. From humble beginnings as a German cargo ship hauling wood across the Baltic Sea, the city’s favourite boat was brought here in 1984 by Ki Longfellow and Vivian Stanshall. 40 years on, and now operated as a nationally recognised, award winning live music venue and nightclub – Thekla celebrates it’s rich and diverse history.
Throughout its birthday month, Thekla was featured across national and local news outlets in radio, print and TV. Stories about the venues historic anniversary could be found in The Guardian, The BBC, ITV, and many more. You can listen back to some of BBC Radio’s coverage here.
On Wednesday the 1st of May, the venue hosted an open to the public exhibition, displaying large format prints from Thekla’s long history including Beezer, Lora English, David Jeffery-Hughes and more. The cargo hold hosted showings of the 1984 BBC Omnibus documentary directed by Tony Staveacre, and our Top Deck saw talks from many of the people that influenced our past. This event also included the launch of our book, The Complete History of Thekla. The event and book were dedicated to those who helped bring Thekla to what it is today, and those who continue to run it as an icon of Bristol’s culture.
Video from ITV News, May 2024.
The Complete History of Thekla, a new book created by the very team that runs the boat and compiled by David Jeffery-Hughes, is available to purchase online now and from the bar aboard the venue itself, along with fresh merch lines.
theklabristol.co.uk/merchandise
“It’s such a special place for us now” 💕
For 40 years, the Thekla has been bringing people together.
Charlie and Rachel met on the cargo ship turned nightclub in #Bristol.
Posted by BBC Bristol on Saturday 18 May 2024
