It's 2003, Rennie Pilgrim's Emit remix is on serious rotation and Cut and Run remixing another classic that should have been left well alone! This was when breaks were breaks and the genre moved predictably through reggae, hiphop and electro without disturbing the wider music scene.
Fast forward to 2010 and 'breaks' is dead. In its place the open casket which is 'electro', no longer the preserve of choppy drums and stabbing synths, 'electro' today encompasses elements from across the dance music spectrum with a diverse range of artists to attaching the 'electro' label to their sound.
The sound of electro in Bristol is vast, catching all the international players from Erol Alkan and Boys Noize to Toddla T and Redlight all bringing their own take on 'electro' to the table and redefining the genre as they go. It's this chicken and egg scenario that liberates the genre and allows nights like Shit The Bed at Motion and Blowpop at Thekla to have such a diverse sound.
Visiting producers like Sinden borrow basslines from dubstep and garage while artists from the Boyz Noise and Ed Banger imprints inflate traditional electro synths beyond recognition. Whether it's the manicness of fidget house (a la Redlight) or the choppy breakbeats of 90s old skool (Toddla T), Bristol's electro listings are bursting with influences from across dance music.
There won’t be a dry eye in the Brew as the king of heartbreak euphoria + Trance Party fav steps up for this unmissable PTS summer party! Get ready for sing-a-long Brandy hooks, Mariah Carey meets grime, Ariana Grande flips and lurved-up R&B classixx with the signature MssingNo magic touch. Cop for his unmatched club feels + Mobilegirl's brain-twisting blend of post-genre electronics.
PTS ϟ MssingNo & mobilegirl at Strange Brew.
A bonafide acid legend’s in the building for all the free party rotters! A longtime Stay Up Forever fiend and Chris & Aaron Liberator collaborator, Sterling Moss’ 303 belters are immortal. He’ll be pounding the dancefloor at this 10 hour Green Works marathon alongside deviant hardtek wallop from Bad Boy Pete and the Outsider Records crew, testing the Giggity Sound scoops to the absolute maxxx.
ACIDSPLASH at Green Works.
Sell out warning! Bristol’s shape-shifting, anything-goes outpost links with Trinity for a double birthday bash like no other. A guiding light through the choppy post-dubstep years, Pev and Livity toast 15 laps round the sun with the finest UK bass and percussive club mutations from the best BRS has to offer. Never stop spoiling us please!
Livity Sound 15 years X Trinity 50 years at The Trinity Centre.
More Photos of Bass & Electro in Bristol
What our editors say
“Music collector, DJ, producer, and Klasse Wrecks co-founder Mr. Ho makes his Public Affair debut. A cult figure in electronic music whose sets are as unpredictable as they are authoritative, moving freely through house, techno, breakbeat and electro with the instincts of a lifelong digger. Alongside Luca Lozano, his Klasse Wrecks imprint has quietly become one of the most coveted names in the game, and that same obsessive curation carries into every set he plays. Public Affair founder and resident Monika Taneska opens the night, setting the tone with her signature tripped-out techno. Deep, disorienting and exactly where the night needs to begin.”
From: Public Affair: Mr. Ho & Monika Taneska
“Known globally as the ‘Baron of Techno’, Dave Clarke brings his uncompromising sound and legendary intensity to Bristol. Expect a masterclass in his signature style; a fusion of dark techno and gritty electro perfectly suited to the intimate, smoke-filled confines of Moon Club. Support from TECHMEOUT.”
From: Dave Clarke
“Higher Level return to their favourite Stokes Croft institution and are proud to be bringing one of the UK underground's heavy hitters, Drumskull! With releases on Sherelle & Nina's Hooversound, London's Seagrave and Skin Teeth's Torre he has been at the forefront of the 160+ movement and is very much a producers producer. He will be playing an extended set and going b2b with our resident breakbeat specialist Borai Expect drum workouts the likes of which you've never heard, and crushing bass weight worthy of the updated system in the backroom.”
From: Higher Level: Drumskull / Borai
“BEND: PRIDE Saturday 11 July The Cider Box, Bristol 10pm - 4am | Last entry strictly midnight BEND lands on Bristol Pride weekend for our biggest party yet - featuring a special DJ set from electro-pop icon LITTLE BOOTS. We’re taking over two arches at The Cider Box for a full night of pop, disco, dance, indie sleaze and queer club chaos, with sweaty dancefloors, euphoric bangers and the usual friendly, zero-judgement BEND NRG. LINEUP ⭐ LITTLE BOOTS (DJ SET) Mike Menace Bendy Wendy Alpha Betty Benito Niche Billy Heidi Heelz Hate Moss A proportion of profits will go to Bristol Pride, with an option to add an extra donation when booking.”
From: BEND:Pride
“GET WEIRD X COSIES The get weird crew are back for their monthly night of breakbeat , jungle , techno and garage. with a hand picked line up of the best local Djs & Mc's Line up : FLAATFACE HAUSWIFE KIMEERA NARAD YGF DEX OPEN 10PM-3AM Last entry 2am GET WEIRD X COSIES GET WEIRD X COSIES GET WEIRD X COSIES GET WEIRD X COSIES GET WEIRD X COSIES GET WEIRD X COSIES”
From: GET WEIRD