Brighten The Corners Presents indie four-piece China Bears at The Smokehouse on Friday 5th September. Support comes from Eve’s Delight and Sleep Year.
"Indie rock sound is shaped by some vintage sources, but given a personal twist." - Clash
"As far as debut albums go, this record is perfection. I hope it becomes China Bears’ very own Definitely Maybe, their Parachutes, their Silent Alarm. It deserves all the love in the world." - XS Noize - 5*
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Time: 7.30pm - 11pm
Venue: The Smokehouse, Ipswich
Tickets: £12+bf
Supports: Eve’s Delight and Sleep Year
Age Restrictions: 14+ (14- 15s must be accompanied by an adult)Accessibility: There is step-free access into the venue and the bar / venue is all on one floor. There is a Changing Places toilet across the courtyard from the venue. Please be aware we are a small venue. For further information, please email info@brightenthecorners.co.uk so we can make your visit as comfortable as possible.
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Originally formed in Somerset by twin brothers Ivan (lead vocals / guitar) and Frazer (lead guitar), the China Bears line up was completed after meeting James (bass) and Dean (drums) at university in Guildford. Their long-awaited debut album 'Participation Trophy' was released in July 2024 through Fierce Panda Records.
The 'Participation Trophy' album was recorded in the autumnal sunshine of Leith with Rod Jones from Idlewild at the production controls. 'Easy Kill' was the perfectly imperfect entry point in January, it being muscular and moving and epic and ever-so-quietly putting the 'emo' into 'emotional', and second single 'North Star' fitted that same dynamic, with the hyper-energised 'Total Communication Breakdown' completing the hectic hattrick. The fourth single 'Gracie' reveals a softer side to the Bears' furry palette.
If melodic diligence counts for anything in what is left of the music industry China Bears are masters of their arty leftfield craft: throughout a series of terrific tours and exquisitely-balanced EP releases with names like 'I've Never Met Anyone Like You', 'Statue Still' and 'All That Distance', they have displayed an innate ability to blend the alt.rock rush with the acoustic hush.
Whether it’s ripping apart the stage with their misery-anthemic indie or calming the room to pin drop silence singing their songs shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the crowd, China Bears have gained recognition for their emotive high energy and intimate performances which have drawn knowing comparisons to The National, Death Cab For Cutie and Frightened Rabbit.
Legendary UK radio DJ’s such as John Kennedy and Steve Lamacq have heavily backed Participation Trophy, playing songs across the airwaves on BBC Radio 6, Radio X, BBC Introducing and more. China Bears performed a live session in the studio with John Kennedy on his Xposure show to celebrate the release of their album.
In support of the release of their debut album China Bears have made appearances at SXSW and The Great Escape. They spent the summer touring the UK with The Xcerts before playing Participation Trophy across the UK on their headline tour which included their biggest headline show to date at London’s Oslo in Hackney.
2025 will see China Bears further push their debut album with the release of a deluxe version of Participation Trophy in the Spring, supported by a UK headline tour.
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Eve’s Delight is an Indie Slowcore band from Ipswich, embracing the philosophy of “moving at our own pace,” a nod to their biggest influence, Horse Jumper of Love. Their music attempts to be nostalgic and homely whilst remaining airy and carefree, yet at times, their sound takes on a heavier, more distorted and dark quality. Even in these moments, there remains an underlying warmth and familiarity, a contrast that defines their Slowcore sensibilities.
Their latest release, Stray and Stumble (January 2025), showcases their unhurried although immersive approach to songwriting.
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Jonny Elstone, a Bury St Edmunds based musician who has recently started a solo project "Sleep Year".