Bristol Dubstep

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Bristol's Dubstep Scene

You can’t spell Dubstep without Bristol

While the first word in Dubstep’s history might be DMZ, the second is surely Bristol. London is the birthplace but the Bristol dubstep sound must be its most iconic regional variant. Bristol acts like Pinch and Vex’d were instrumental in the early days as well as RSD // Rob Smith from Smith & Mighty who straddle Bristol’s trip-hop lineage and its dubstep future. Although this is cruelly left out of the Wiki page on dubstep - Bristol continued to play a huge part, defining an iconic sound sometimes known as ‘purple wow’ or wonky that included Joker, Gemmy, Jakes, Guido and Julio Bashmore through nights like Subloaded. While many of these artists are making house or other club music, their place in Bristol dubstep (and electronic music) history is secured.

What we said in 2015...
Presently dubstep in Bristol enjoys such stellar success that the only thorn in the genre's side is it's quantity. With such a saturated market it only becomes harder to find genuine talent amongst the endless bandwagon of tag alongs. Fortunately for Bristol, the boundaries are being pushed rather than retrodden and Bristol's own dubstep has gained international recognition.

Local talent has been the springboard for Bristol to become second only to London in the depth and range of the offerings of the sound. Joker, Gemmy, Pinch, RSD, Peverelist, Hyetal, Appleblim and Guido are but a few of Bristol's most prevalent exports, while arguably the city's most successful dubstep nights (Dubloaded and Applepips) are products of Bristol's own talent (Pinch and Appleblim) respectively.

The accessibility of dubstep's sound has seen it eclipse drum and bass in its hold over nightclubs and dubstep luminaries such as Skream, Benga and Plastician are regulars in the Bristol. Like drum and bass, the big acts are found at the huge, multi genre raves in Lakota and Motion (aka In:motion) while Bristol houses a mix of dedicated dubstep nights that operate in the mid-sized venues such as Thekla, Dojos, Basement 45 and The Croft.

Promoters such as Crazylegs have sought to expose the UK Funky side of dubstep, bringing artists like Joy Orbison, Deadboy and Roska to the masses. Subloaded at The Croft is another reliable source for forward-thinking dubstep.

Buy tickets for dubstep events in Bristol

Our recent dubstep recommendations

Free entry! Bass femmes to the front! Saturday night plans sorted as the WINK collective’s enviable platter of resident DJs takeover Canteen for a night of raucous amapiano, booty-shaking baile and sxc riddims, carving out space for the FLINTA qts in the scene. Barely one year young and they’re already shaking the scene up – ones to watch for sure! DJ Wink collective at The Canteen.

Meditative low-end pressure and blissed-out ambient vibrations rolling straight out of Take Five’s intimate basement. Skruff leans into hazy, bass-riddled mysticism while Inner Echo serves up heavy, Om Unit-style slo-mo-dub rumblers. A huuuge tip if you dig: Innamind Recordings, Basic Channel, Deep Medi and Moonshine Recordings. DUB ESSENCE at Take Five Cafe.

Polyrhythmic ritualism, granular textures and heady leftfield transmissions live’n’direct from this Livity Sound longtimer! Azu Tiwaline fuses Berber percussion with minimal dub-techno pressure in a way that makes you feel every fibre of your being in 4D. Come ride the rush with added retro-futurist rave melodics from Myriad Myriads’ and local techno titan Hodge. Bristol techno and bass music institution Livity Sound present an awesome double bill of live club acts. Azu Tiwaline presents her mystical, hypnotizing desert-dub techno grooves to get you in a trance, whilst Myriad Myriads (fka Bristol dubstep maestro Bass Clef) presents 'mind-mangling re-imaginations of global dancefloor culture' (The Quietus)

Timedance & re:lax’s re:ni steps up with a heavy all-night-long session, landing hot on the heels of her seriously steppin’ new release with her pops, Biggabush (½ of Rockers Hi Fi) on Ilian Tape. Absolutely essential listening for disciples of wiggy UK techno futurism and dub-riddled IDM material. RE:LAX and Illian Tape alumni re:ni debuts down the Inn

More Photos of Bristol Dubstep

Crowd at a dubstep night in Bristol 2026

What our editors say

“Fez the Kid and Duality are taking over the inn for a journey across the musical spectrum. Starting off with house, moving into electro, transitioning into dubstep and ending with a jungle finale. Intaception style. Tune for Tune all night long. 2200-0300 £5-10 / otd”
From: Intaception w/ Duality B2B Fez The Kid

“LATEBRA @ LAKOTA BRISTOL June 4th 10 till 3 HOUSE 140 UKG -FRONTLINE UK: PRIMA C BRINGS HIGH ENERGY DISCO AND HOUSE @_primac_ ►LATEBRA: @rt3dnb B2B @cult.9000 EXCLUSIVE MULTI GENRE 2HR EXTENDED SET + AWARD WINNING @kow_mvsic FROM TOKYO SHOWS OFF HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED GARAGE MIXING ►PULSE: DJ JONNY HOTWHEELZ WILL BLOW THE ROOF OFF THE PLACE @jonnyhotwheelz”
From: Lakotebra

“Loughlin presents “Lough n Key” for their first show at The Crown, showcasing some of the freshest talent in the drum and bass and 140 scenes at this free entry Tuesday night bash! Free entry all night - don't miss out! [A-Z] Adastra Bosio JB Hain Loughlin Roc Free entry all night - no ticket needed.”
From: Lough N Key: Adastra, Bosio, JB Hain, Loughlin + Roc

“We’re back once again with another multi genre instalment at Cosies! Switching it up slightly this time with focus on everything funky! Expect the usual underground music spectrum but with emphasis on the UKG/bass/140 side of things! As always, there will be unexpected surprises on the night to keep you on your toes, so bring your dancing shoes and we’ll bring the vibes to keep you moving with a funky night you wont forget!”
From: Hooked On Cosies: Funky Flavours

“Having carved their teeth in spots all across Bristol, Drawn Out return to The Crown for a bank holiday free entry knees up ft. friends of the brands. Expect everything from House, to Garage, 140, Breaks + more! Free entry all night - no ticket needed.”
From: Drawn Out & Friends