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
Sell out warning! AnExperience descends on the Boxing Gym with their own righteous take on amen culture, taking us back to 92-96 with an all-vinyl crew running pure junglist/hardcore/breakbeat euphoria through Scotland Yard’s ‘so loud it’s psychedelic’ soundsystem. 100% deconstructed-rave free zone across 5 arenas, it doesn’t get much bigger than this!
AnExperience presents ~ A proper jungle night at The Boxing Gym.
Sell out warning! Somatic meditations and sensual club selections with Shameless Hussies and queer culture icons Wildblood & Queenie, keeping things seductive with their patented mix of dirty disco and decadent house.
SOFT BUTCH with Wildblood & Queenie at Lost Horizon.
Sell out warning! Still reeling from his 3 hour devastation of Strange Brew, Cirrina invites a titanic pillar of 21st century junglism to ditch his amen stripes and school us on cutting edge techno / 140 mutations. This is a new kinda Reaper, rocking the shit outta The Island with AM's dubby conquerer i-sha + Casino Flats & Fez the Kid's opening downtempo hypnotics.
Cirrina Sessions w/ Tim Reaper , i-sha & residents at The Island.
Perfect All Hallow's dance if you like your club music steeped in dark garage rollers and Livity-grade percussive techno goodness. Bristol’s ever-reliable groove maestros Club Djembe have got Rinse FM's Fold and SWU's Caragh at the helm in this rather large one FFO: Joy Orbison, Peverelist, Ehua, Ikonika.
Club Djembe Halloween w/Fold, Caragh & DJ Polo b2b DJ Stolen at The Love Inn.
More Photos of Electronic Music in Bristol
What our editors say
“Glade has been a defining chapter in British electronic music, shaping generations of UK rave scenes, soundsystem culture, and the psychedelic underground. Three decades on, its influence lives on as Glastonbury Festival’s longest-standing beacon of underground electronic culture.”
From: 30 Years Of Glade: Winter Solstice
“Each Dance Temple unfolds through a carefully curated musical landscape, moving through organic house, tribal and world-inspired rhythms, deep bass, devotional sounds, emotive electronic music and expansive soundscapes.”
From: Dance Temple - Ecstatic Dance, Somatic Movement
“Leading the charge is Douvelle19, the Welsh DJ and producer known for effortlessly bridging underground club music with vocal-led songwriting. Drawing from garage, grime, breaks, bass and electronic music, his genre-fluid approach has earned support across the UK underground and beyond, alongside releases through RCA Records and appearances on Rinse FM.”
From: Clock Factory Presents: Douvelle19 B2B Sam Girling B2B Prozak
“A true heavyweight of electronic music, Flux Pavilion has been at the forefront of dubstep for well over a decade. From co-founding the hugely influential Circus Records to creating era-defining records including I Can’t Stop, Flux has built a global reputation for explosive productions, unmistakable melodies and high-energy live shows. After the reception to his last Bristol appearance, bringing him back was a no-brainer.”
From: Clock Factory Presents: Flux Pavilion & Culprate
“For more than four decades, Sven Väth has been one of electronic music's most influential and captivating DJs. From shaping Frankfurt's techno scene with Omen, Harthouse and Eye Q, to creating the legendary Cocoon brand and its iconic Ibiza residency, his impact on club culture is unmatched.”
From: Bugged Out presents: Sven Väth, Dave Clarke, Erol Alkan & more