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

From Timbuk2 to the big 20! Ruffnek Diskotek celebrates two decades of filthy basslines and low-slung riddims. There’s wall-shaking dubstep and dancehall guaranteed in this rowdy Cosies knees-up with OG purple purveyor Gemmy, Ujima partystarters Dancehall Generals and the Ruffnek residents. Ruffnek Diskotek turns 20 years old!

Sell out warning! A night of prog house and psy-trance bliss to close out another stellar year for Queerky’s techno haven! With Wednesday on headline duties, get ready to sweat for the Sub:system resident’s deep, dark and dubby sounds, reverberating through Loco Klub’s atmospheric tunnels. QUEERKY with Wednesday at the Loco Klub

Beatrice M has been tearing up the club scene for a hot minute, serving up trancey techno and deep, psychedelic textures. Their sound fuses old-school bass weight with sharp, modern production, hitting hard on any system. Joining them: Nante’s Soa420 gliding through dubbed-out halftime explorations. DUBSTEPPERS UNITE

Oblig is a bona fide legend of London’s grime, dubstep and garage scene. Strap in for peak-time, heavyweight riddims, paired with AliA’s new-school dubstep and two rifling b2b sets loaded with pummelling soundsystem grooves. Think Riz La Teef, Neffa T, Grandmixxer & Manga Saint Hilare… huge! Journey deep into the thrumming edges of bass, techno and beyond as Seasoning bring their off kilter antics back to The Island.

More Photos of Bristol Dubstep

Crowd at a dubstep night in Bristol 2026

What our editors say

“With Future Retro on hiatus after hitting 50 era-defining releases, he has been releasing his own music at breakneck speed with two self-released 20 trackers dropping at the end of 2025, exploring a range soundsystem music including dubstep, grime and UK techno sounds. With nods towards the experimental dub sounds of 5 GATE TEMPLE world sitting alongside deconstructed trap… if you haven’t been paying attention you might not have seen it coming.”
From: Seasoning ✼ Tim Reaper , Severine

“I can't find what it felt like I always had in Bristol; I have memories of lost futures. At 4 on the floor I'm not interested; at dubstep and breaks I don't feel. I want synthesis without numbness, to burrow into each other's territories and take what they can.”
From: Cirrina Sessions w/ Beatrice M., Mackenzie, Fez the Kid & Casino Flats

“Her sound navigates across dubstep, 2-step, broken/UK techno, broken beat, UK bass, dub, reggae and beyond, not limited by genre, but united by feel. Every selection is chosen to resonate, uplift and connect.”
From: Mia Koden + friends

“We’re bringing DnB, 140, UKG, jungle and much more…and did we mention, all for FREE Bring your mates, bring the energy and we’ll see you all for a dance and a cheeky pint on the 7th Feb Come party with us! - DnBabez”
From: DNBABEZ PUB POP UP

“Born and raised in Cardiff, the Jamaican-Welsh artist's early years were influenced by dubstep, Jungle and UKG. That playfulness shines through his expert productions, which are full of sampled British chit-chat and unexpected yet perfectly-timed cracked-up beats.”
From: Stepped x Funkulator - Lucas Alexander