As synthesizers, drum machines and sequencers become more affordable, it’s becoming rare to see live music performances without at least some electronic component. Bands are embracing new technology and unlike the every-band-needs-a-turntablist movement of the 2000’s, synthesizers are here to stay.
At the other end of the spectrum lies electronica and dance music where producers live shows have also hugely benefitted from the increasing access to physical hardware. Gone are the days where a “live” set involved watching a producer awkwardly staring into their laptop pausing for the occasional hit of bit-crush and reverb. From one man shows to co-ordinated digital masterpieces, we are for the first time we’re starting to see electronic producers making truly engaging live shows. James Blake, Mount Kimbie, Flying Lotus, Gold Panda and Luke Abbott are just a few of the artists to bring their MPC’s, patch bays and stunning live shows to Bristol.
If we set dance music to one side, then it’s relatively easy to highlight a few key venues for live electronic music in Bristol. Start The Bus, The Louisiana and The Exchange typically pick up artist’s first live tours while you would want to pick up tickets to The Trinity Centre, The Fleece or Thekla for larger, more established artists.
Buy tickets for electronic events in Bristol
Our recent electronic recommendations
Your last Halloween gasp kept lingering past the witching hour by the wicked people at Erratic Batting with pure gothic EBM/newbeat sleaze from DJ October, live darkwave techno from Falmouth’s Snake Gang and naughty 140 biz from Rea.
Part 2 of Crofters Frights Mini-Fest - 140 - Jungle - Darkwave - 90s Techno
Queer, sex-positive hedonism underground! It’s a three headed beasty beast with Marvin Rees-free all night pop-up queer strip club from Bristol Sex Workers Collective, bad bitch cabaret from Sexquisite and hi-NRG dancefloor shenanigans from Queerky’s special guest Harliiharleyharlee.
Sex Workers Cabaret n Queer Rave
Cardiff, Bristol and Berlin unite in a new wave flurry of EBM / new beat / cosmic trance and italo disco delight with Noods and Dummy Hands at the helm and Teak / Paradis Garden’s David J Bull + Cocktail d'Amore resident Budino on the decks. Coroner’s Court’s gonna s.w.e.a.t.
David J Bull & Budino
Gigantic retroid dancefest for all the new romantics and synthpop diehards out there. Pack your eyeliner for all your fav timeless club bangers from Gary Numan, New Order, Human League, Dead or Alive, OMD etc etc.
Going Back To The Future...
More Photos of Electronic Music in Bristol
What our editors say
“His success as an artist boils down to his refusal to speak on anything other than his truths, something that listeners can identify with, this is highlighted by three award wins at the Drum & Bass awards: Best MC, Best Vocalist and he featured on the Still Standing Remix which was awarded best remix. He is the go-to host for some of the finest that electronic music has to offer, from Calibre to Toddla T.'”
From: DRS: In Session • Bristol
“Originally from Paju South Korea, bela (they/them) is a musician and a performance artist based in Berlin. They are known for electronic music performance merging pungmul - a Korean folk act rooted in agricultural traditions and linked to past social movements - and vocals inspired by extreme metal. bela shapes pungmul into the ritual for queer rage and grief with sub-heavy distortions and cries.”
From: BNM: The Bug , One Leg One Eye & bela
“Skee Mask debuts here at the Brew for an intimate back-room session with his signature pummelling techno & grimey breakbeat. A clean and surgical yet immersive and deep production style across 4 albums and 10 EPs has influenced many over the last decade. But not to mention his uncompromisable dj sets which are informed by his love for uk sounds spanning hip-hop, grime and garage - all laced between eerie, ambient soundscapes”
From: Strange Brew presents Skee Mask & Yushh
“Beyond the turntables, sadsugar is known for quietly working to create genuinely inclusive, caring spaces within electronic music in Bristol that don’t require associations, affiliations or a buy-in cost.”
From: Breast in Peace - A Fun-draiser
“Master ravers and the Bristol vibe being you Master ravers rebooted, a 13 hour weekend rave from day time till early morning with a mixture of old skool breakbeat hardcore, jungle and uk hardcore with genres from 1992-2023 with a multi genre room as well.”
From: Master Ravers Rebooted