O2 Academy Bristol has been hosting quality live shows from the brightest new acts and classic performers, and nights from the biggest club brands, since 2001 when it opened with a sell-out performance from Ocean Colour Scene. The venue’s history stretches back to November 1966, when it opened as the ABC cinema as part of a huge entertainment hub called The New Bristol Centre and was also known as the ‘Rock’, Bristol’s super-club, for a short period before opening as the Academy. Bristol is renowned for its vibrant music scene and O2 Academy Bristol has provided plenty of memorable moments and iconic performances to support this reputation. In the first year of opening the quality of artists playing spoke volumes with Faithless, Ian Brown, Gorillaz all performing and in May 2002 DJ Shadow was joined by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke for a live rendition of ‘Rabbit In Your Headlights’. Elbow, Kendrick Lamar, Foals, Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse and Kings of Leon have all performed at O2 Academy Bristol over the years and some of the biggest club names and DJs have played to sold-out crowds.