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

Popola’s parties are all about creating liberatory queer spaces to get down and dirty in celebration of Latine and Afro-Caribbean culture. For their Pride outing, expect the finest reggaeton, dembow, soca, dancehall, afrobeats and more to keep you perreando all night long. Very excited to announce our Twerk Temple Pride Extra Special Edition on 12th July at the beloved Jam Jar

A big summer friends and fam affair for only a fiver! The Amity crew invites a whole host of Bristol club talent for a Brew backroom sesh including Nahda, SSLIP and Rose Again. Expect a rowdy blend of sideways electronics, bass heft and blown-out dub. Only £5 in! Amity label & mates showcase in the back room playing techno, dancehall, dubstep, dub & more

Burial for the dolls (as it should be). CLIMAXED returns with a stellar billing of selectors across the 140, dubstep and bass continuum, featuring gyrofield’s dreamy and heavvvy dnb and a Bristol debut from club diva Karlie Marx. Gender affirming bass-weight & diva-licious frequencies

Dimeshift label boss Axle’s melting pot of dark garage, dubstep and grime paired with Dub Athlete’s militant technoid steppas and Rareman’s raw pulsating breakbeat will make for some SERIOUS noise at The Love Inn. Dubplates at the ready, big one FFO: Beatrice M, Mia Koden, Darwin, re:ni. Dime Shifts, Axle down the Inn for the InnSession

More Photos of Bristol Dubstep

Crowd at a dubstep night in Bristol 2025

What our editors say

“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

“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

“The French master of glitchy psybass! Land Switcher brings a fresh and heavy-hitting sound that melds reggae and dub influences with rich organic sampling and the futuristic intensity of mid-tempo bass and earth-shattering dubstep.”
From: DSF 001 ft Land Switcher, Wolf Tech, Jae Nimbus, DreamFaerie, Primate etc

“Nu:Motive and The Underground Bristol join forces to launch the UG25 season in style. Kicking things off with a heavyweight celebration of Grime, 140 and Garage, this opening party promises elite curation, cultureand energy.”
From: UG25 Opening: Ghetts + More

“Fresh off the back of bringing KobeJT and Sulphur to The Crown, Bristol-based party starters 'sad 2 see u go' take over The Rathouse with UKG, Breaks + 140 courtesy of some of their nearest and dearest.”
From: Sad 2 see u go: BEA B2B Knowah, Cutes + Zed Rex