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.
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Our recent electro recommendations
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.
The self-proclaimed sassiest DJ crew in town blow the socks off Pride the only way they know how: serving QTIPOC-fronted energy for those who wish to D.A.N.C.E. Expect only the finest wile out bass anthems across the Afrodiasporic dancehall / UKF / baile / afrobeats / Latinx spectrum with MC Thai Chi steaming up the mic all night long.
Booty Bass is BACK Pride Afterparty 2026 at Lost Horizon.
Pride is approachin’ fast, and if you’re looking to keep things spicy then Riot got you! Harnesses and latex at the ready as the sex positive rave returns for some annual afterparty mischief – complete with playspace, a cuddle corner, and of course all the dancehall, rnb and sensual club heaters you need to shake a$$$$.
RIOT BRISTOL PRIDE AFTERPARTY at Loco Klub.
Flying the flag for proper dubstep these last 13 years, Foundation Audio are the Bristol DMZ heads’ go-to brand for unstoppable dread pressure. Flying in for the big buffday: pirate radio royalty N-Type, DJ Chefal and Youngsta will be giving the younguns an absolute schooling in golden eara dubs, testing RC1’s rumble pack to the absolute max. Hoods up heads down bassweight as it should be!
Foundation Audio Powered by RC1 at Green Works.
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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
“The speaking in tongues come back to lost horizon for a parental guidance premiere. Accompanied by the Davine Blues collective and DJs spinning everything from Reggae, Dub and Jungle, to breakbeat, House and Funk. Powered by Loose sound, this is a multigenerational dance celebrating the memories made on dancefloors between all ages. As usual bring your mum, dad, auntie, uncle and neighbour. More info coming soon.”
From: Parental Guidance - Speaking in Tongues