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

Reptile B packs a rowdy and sexy punch of UK drill, dancehall and speed garage with giddy bars. In their own words: “if grime was a little queer and kissed dancehall and then went home and started crying to Nirvana”. Get ready for the rapidly rising MC to cause an essential scene FFO: Grove, Denham Audio, Rico Nasty, M.I.C. GAY AS F*CK - with Reptile B at Basement 45.

Bass femmes to the front as contemporary dubstep icon Introspekt comes to town for DOLLSTEP’s next party. The NYC-based DJ and producer’s deep expertise in all things bass translates to a truly magnetic, gnarly club workout packed with UKG, four-to-the-floor, breaks and warped experimentalism. The second gathering of the dollsteppers, bringing head of the new dubstep class Introspekt to the Exchange.

Free entry! A core player in the OG Sector 7 grime firm, Bristol’s Drone steps out under his own imprint Evil Sky, joined by Innamind’s Hijinx and Nate Ka$h’s visceral sonics. Expect sub-pressure all night – grime, breakbeat and 2-step in full rotation. Dubstep, Garage + Bass from Drone, Hijinx + Nate Ka$h

The Chikara Project and The Moth Club combine brains for an all-dayer of blissed-out dub techno, ambient, drum and bass, and jungle in the industrial fringe of BS4. Powered by the mighty Method Twenty Four sound system, expect earth-shaking sub-bass that’ll have Green Works rattling to its core. The Moth Club x The Chikara Project (Day Event) @ Greenworks Bristol

More Photos of Bristol Dubstep

Crowd at a dubstep night in Bristol 2025

What our editors say

“Every Boiling Point throws you headfirst into sound-system culture, with Kelvin’s sets cutting across drum and bass, jungle, 140, dancehall, reggae, and garage - building intensity from start to finish.”
From: Kelvin 373 Presents Boiling Point

“Following up from our debut sellout event at the Crown in Bristol, we are very excited to announce our 2nd event with Makino. Bringing a lineup of NYX and Makino artists together for a night of deep, dark DnB & 140.”
From: NYX RECORDINGS X MAKINO

“SIS:DEM's individual and eclectic selections blend seemlessly between breaks, electro, dubstep, techno and everything in between - their hard-hitting yet dynamic b2bs pull no punches whilst their synergy will have you hooked. They have gained incredible momentum over the past couple of years appearing at Glastonbury, Boomtown and Shambala, as well as supporting the likes of Mike Skinner, Sicaria, DJ Spoony, Neffa-T, Sir Spyro, Ivy Lab, Bakey, Yung Singh and many more.”
From: SIS:DEM Curates Halloween: Amy Kisnorbo, Debba, DARCY, GEM + SIS:DEM

“Hyperdub mainstay, UK producer-DJ since 2008, four years this month since their last Club Djembe. Sets move between funky, garage, dubstep, R&B-leaning edits, all precise and playful. Dark when it needs to be, always efficient. Perfect for Halloween.”
From: Club Djembe Halloween w/ Ikonika, DJ Polo B2B DJ Stolen

“This Halloween, we’re taking over the heart of Bristol for a night of true underground sound. One room, fully immersed: powered by VOID Acoustics and Danley Sound, lit by festival-grade lasers and LED walls. Expect Bass, UKG, 140 and beyond — a complete night of raw energy and forward-thinking music.”
From: Clock Factory Halloween - 33 BELOW, camoufly, Bklava + more