About The Prog Lab
The Prog Lab is a Bristol progressive house collective: events, a record label and a resident DJ crew. It was founded by George Pritchard (Jawjee), with Ben Major and Tomas Bayley alongside him from the start. Ben stepped away during the pandemic to focus on his career, though he still comes to the events. George and Tomas have run it since, with Amy Pritchard joining after Covid to help manage the events behind the scenes. The collective has put on shows with Guy J, Henry Saiz and Dubspeeka, among others, and has John Digweed booked for the 8th birthday show on 2nd May 2026. The Prog Lab Records launched in September 2024, releasing music under a series named after elements of the periodic table.
The beginning
The first events ran at Basement 45 in Bristol. George Pritchard, Ben Major and Tomas Bayley booked Sonic Union, Quivver and Jody Wisternoff in the opening months. The venue was small and underground. The nights were quiet at first, with Jody Wisternoff the clear standout.
Building a following
The calendar grew. Dave Angel, King Unique, Rui Da Silva, Tom Demac and Dubspeeka all played that year. The nights were still building — attendance was steady rather than packed — but the bookings were getting stronger.
Before the pause
Two shows were booked for 2020: Guy Mantzur and Cid Inc in May, Guy J and Chicola in November. Neither happened. COVID restrictions cancelled both before they took place. Ben Major stepped away during this period to focus on his career, leaving George Pritchard and Tomas Bayley to carry the project forward. Through that time, Jawjee and Tomas started playing together regularly, which eventually led to The Prog Lab DJs forming as a duo.
Coming back
The first event back was Guy J at The Loco Klub, a former railway ash pit beneath Temple Meads station and the largest venue The Prog Lab had booked. Amy Pritchard joined to help run the events, taking on a key role behind the scenes that she has kept ever since. The whole club was packed by 9PM. It was the first sold-out show. Nick Warren sold out in May. Henry Saiz played in September to a busy room.
The strongest year to date
Sébastien Léger b2b Tim Green, Henry Saiz and Alex O'Rion, Guy J and John 00 Fleming at AfterDark: 2024 had the most consistent lineup since the start. The Prog Lab Records launched in September, releasing music under a series named after elements of the periodic table.
Beyond Bristol
The Intimate Sessions series launched at Death Disco in Bristol, putting Alfonso Muchacho, Dubspeeka, Dowden and Anthony Pappa in a smaller room with longer sets. The Prog Lab DJs featured heavily across these nights, taking on more peak-time slots. Guy J and Redfreya headlined the 7th birthday at The Loco Klub in May. The same month, Steve Parry headlined the first show outside Bristol at Move in Exeter.
Eight years in
John 00 Fleming played at AfterDark in January. Tim Green headlined at Number 90 in London in February. The 8th anniversary on 2nd May brings John Digweed to The Loco Klub.