Bristol's Blues Events

upcoming gig

Bristol's Blues Scene

Is blues music under-represented in Bristol?

While other American-originated music like funk and soul enjoy a huge number of acts and dedicated venues, where is the home of blues in Bristol? With its roots in the oppression of the black peoples of America, blues was transplanted over to the UK via white rock acts like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. A quick browse of blues played on the BBC recently and tyhe Guardian’s list of the best blues festivals show some support for nearby Bath, but nothing for blues in Bristol. This begs the question: who will lead the new blues revival in Bristol?

Blues gigs in Bristol are found in pretty consistent venues with places like The Prom and the Thunderbolt popular live blues spots. Generally blues-rock seems more prominent in Bristol than traditional rhythm and blues bands or delta blues singers, although there is some really interesting stuff out there. Other venues to check for blues include the Cori Tap in Clifton and the Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Rd.

It's always worth looking at what's on at the Canteen in Bristol whose listings vary in style but are usually consistently high in quality - some potential blues gems there...

Buy tickets for blues events in Bristol

Our recent blues recommendations

Mesmerising cross-cultural conversations between harp and oud as UK folk traditions meld with the melodies of the Middle East. The dreamlike interplay between Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary needs to be witnessed Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary and Ruskavellas at Boiling Wells Amphitheatre, Boiling Wells Ln, Bristol BS2 9XY.

Soul-stirring Americana! Bristol duo Hangover Square’s cinematic take on folk-blues is a balm for the broken hearted and a swoon-inspiring delight for the lovers. Hangover Square at Exchange.

Incendiary triple bill joining quantum dots between Ahmed’s crazed modal jazz swing, Skylla’s bewitching ECM inspired vocal works and Josephine Foster’s sublime baroque folkways. It’s the last event of Bristol New Music, and all musical boundaries have been left in tatters. أحمد / Josephine Foster / Skylla at Strange Brew.

A full bill of uncanny AV experimentalism as avant-R&B innovator Klein brings her tripped out free jazz gospel drone mutations along with Aho Ssan’s cinematic, glitch-distortions and spectral improv hypnotism courtesy of a new collaboration between Dali de Saint Paul and Maxwell Sterling. Essential FFO: Mica Levi, EP/64, KMRU, AD93. Klein / Aho Ssan / Penumbra at Bristol Beacon.

What our editors say

“From his years in the internationally acclaimed duo Soft Cell to the successful solo career that followed, Marc Almond has sold over 30 million records worldwide with his list of hit songs including ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, ‘Touch’ and, of course, ‘Tainted Love’. Audiences will also be treated to the supreme talent of blues guitar prodigy and social media sensation, Toby Lee, described by Joe Bonamassa as “a future superstar of the blues”.”
From: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

“Sons of the South soul outfit HeavyDrunk has made waves with their signature raspy vocals and Americana infused sound. Their Mississippi delta blues, powerful gospel, and hard-hitting rock ‘n’roll energy charged their 2023 album You Don’t Know Me which was released to raise awareness and funds for the crumbling grave of music legend Robert Johnson.”
From: Heavy Drunk + Watermelon Slim + Leonardo Guiliani

“Exuberant USA duo Golden Shoals blend old time Appalachian traditions with fine original songwriting and excellent musicianship on acoustic guitar, fiddle and banjo. They combine Americana, bluegrass, folk, jazz and more, blending traditional and contemporary influences to entertaining effect.”
From: Golden Shoals

“Megs Emrys offers a unique combination of evocative, powerful vocals in Spanish and English, strung on beautiful melodies and rich poetry, all sustained by acoustic guitar or Peruvian charango. Megs takes the listeners on a magical and emotive journey, through Latin America and into blues, rock and folk. She sings from the heart - songs of love, songs of protest, songs of life, all seeking to reconnect us with the wilderness around and inside of us. She has released a collaborative album ‘Mama Pacha’, recorded with Peruvian musicians, as well as several releases with her main band project ‘Emrys the Brave’.”
From: Julie Abbé & Megs Emrys

“In 2019 Asmaa released her first album Oulad Lghaba, together with Ajabu! Records. This release focuses on the part of the Gnawa tradition about spirituality. The music is about the spirit world, about life in Africa, about how we should live in harmony with nature and also about the consequences we face if we abuse nature. This amazing group of female musicians can really deliver their contagious brand of evangelistic desert blues, sung in their native Gnawan language. They break new ground not only when it comes to music, but also with regard to how they speak up for equal rights and for the preservation of traditions and spiritual practices in modern-day Morocco and throughout the world.”
From: Asmâa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou