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
Timedance darlings Bruce and Ploy are back for their third all-night b2b, bringing feel-good house and techno straight to the dancefloor. Ploy delivers dense, chest-rattling grooves while Bruce spins his signature oddball magic. Get ready for pure vibes from two pals just playing what they love, house-party stylee!
Fly Life w Bruce + Ploy at Strange Brew.
Teetotal day party going out to all the dedicated (sober) ravers! Local p-funk journeymen Stone Cold Hustle ease you into this Sunday knees-up before Anything But Becky floors you with dubstep and percussive bass swag + Aries brings you up again with his 30-year matured ragga jungle rinse-outs. Dry = / = juiceless baby!
Bristol Sober Spaces X Trinity Day Party Featuring Aries at The Trinity Centre.
Sell out warning! Club Blanco and Talabot enter their third wormhole together, hands-locked in a ritual act of freefall club psychedelia. The Barca GOAT’s an instacop for most, but Chez’s turning up the heat, hell he’s breaking the oven, with Reptant’s live set of cerebral electro mysticism + a new and necessary room 2 excursion into the deepest chill-out zones. The most Blanco thing since Blanco began?
Club Blanco w/ John Talabot, Reptant + more at Strange Brew.
“Moving through clásicos, deep cuts and rare diasporic gems, this end-of-summer party serves its signature cumbia alongside salsa, soukous, champeta, early reggaetón, dancehall, and global sounds… Vinyl-only and rooted in Latin rhythms, featuring Dr Perra, Bogotá-born DJ, vinyl collector and curator working across Afro-diasporic and contemporary underground sounds; Amancai, DJ, promoter and co-founder of Zaperoco, a night dedicated to Colombian Picotero sound system culture in London; and Cal Jader, co-founder of Movimientos and a key figure in London's Latin and global music scene.”
From: ¡Cumbia, Mi Amor
“Void is known for their electronic, underground, and experimental music programming from around the world. With their Radio show Void Radio every Tuesday & Wednesday showcasing local and international talent, Void have curated a vast lineup of house, tech and breakbeat DJs to move your behind to this August Weekend! Chiedza Brogan Love Shak Olly Sundown Saturday 15th August 10PM-2AM The Full Moon & Attic Bar Physical ID is required for entry to this event. If you do not have physical ID, you will be refused entry and a refund will not be provided for your ticket.”
From: Void Radio Takeover: Chiedza, Brogan, Love Shak, Olly Sundown
“Void is known for their electronic, underground, and experimental music programming from around the world. With their Radio show Void Radio every Tuesday & Wednesday showcasing local and international talent, Void have curated a vast lineup of house, tech and breakbeat DJs to move your behind to this August Weekend! Roti Tully Dutch Sauce Aquatronic 6 Friday 14th August 10PM-2AM The Full Moon & Attic Bar Physical ID is required for entry to this event. If you do not have physical ID, you will be refused entry and a refund will not be provided for your ticket.”
From: Void Radio Takeover: Roti, Tully, Dutch Sauce & Aquatronic 6
“Hooked are bringing a brand new vibe to the one and only Cosies this August! As summer is in full swing, a night evolving through the fan favourites is a must! You’ll hear everything from the deep entrancing bass of reggae/dub, stepping into dancehall as the heart rate increases and finishing the night off in style, bopping to garage to keep the blood pumping into the early hours!”
From: Hooked On Cosies: Reggae 2 Rumble
“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