Bristol Rave Events

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Bristol's Rave Scene

Bristol has long been the South West's rave mecca with bus loads of ravers coming to hardcore nights from lesser endowed cities like Bournemouth and Bath since the nineties. At the heart of Bristol's hardcore and old skool scene has always been Lakota, the only venue (until recently) large enough for huge, multi-room raves. The venue's industrial warehouse feel and non-central location also made it popular with Bristol's free party crews who's multi-rig 'linkups' (most notably the Gener8r parties) have also made Bristol a national attraction for oldskool, mash-up and breakcore nights.

The Black Swan in Easton is Bristol's other key rave venue, attracting promoters like Mongrel (formerly at the Croft), Tiki and Avalaf. Keep an eye on Lab's listings for occasional Wrong Music events and even check Whats on at Bristol's Motion for the odd large rave event like Battlegrounds.

Bristol Rave in the time of Covid
Bristol is easily the rave capital of the west, it’s clear from just the name of Rave on Avon - a multi-day multi-venue rave event where the streets of Bristol open themselves to fans of the whole spectrum of rave: drum n bass, hardcore, trance, techno house. Bristol never descriminates! But the only raves hitting the news recently was an illegal rave - the first of its kind in Bristol to receive a £10,000. Obviously no-one would condone raving in Bristol at this time, no matter how much we want it. The question on everyone’s lips is: what will raves look like after covid? Facemasks on entry? Dwindling crowds checking track and trace apps on their phones. Let’s hope Bristol can get its rave on, in the way remember, as soon as possible.

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Our recent rave recommendations

Free entry D. Tiffany!? This is not a drill! Buckle up for high-energy club hypnotism: D. Tiffany’s sets should come with a G-force warning as she journeys through dance music’s legacy, from house and acid chuggers to breakbeat, heady techno and bassline-heavy trance. Pure day party bliss is a-comin’ with the Planet Euphorique boss in special b2b morphing mode with Off Kilter’s Daisy Moon. Off-Kilter Day Party w/ D. Tiffany, Daisy Moon, Marie Malarie, Ben Jackson at The Christmas Steps.

Are ya ready for another total masterclass in disco and house decadence? The P-Bar bossman Prosumer could pack out 10 Love Inns if he wanted to, so get your ticket early to avoid the round-the-corner queue of cats trying to stick their head in this whirlwind of feverish, jackin’ house and disco-fied vocal ecstasy. Prosumer + SPICYIVY at The Love Inn.

Essential by name, essential by nature, these Sessions are bringing world-class dub back to the hallowed Cosies cellars. Shaolin Sound’s one of those go-to imprints to silence those ‘they don’t make em like they used to’ naysayers, drawing on the mighty powers of Sugar Minott, Vin Gordon and Prince Jamo to cut some of the most authentic digi roots and Studio One sounds of the last decade. Rootical greatness guaranteed! Essential Sessions - Shaolin Sound at Cosies.

Immersive, hypnotic, psychedelic, Powder doesn’t seem to just DJ anymore – heads talk about her with a near-religious reverence. Is she the next generation's DJ Nobu or Donato Dozzy? Expect highly textured loopy techno and ecstatic deep house crescendos as you enter the climactic, cultish club fold with Timedance’s euphoric bass secret weapon Cleyra. The Secret Shade: Powder & Cleyra at Strange Brew.

More Photos of Bristol Rave Events

What our editors say

“Fantazia returns to Bristol on the 30th August, this time for a bank holiday day rave in the brand new Document Open Air space! We're taking it back to the old school roots that built rave culture - uniting generations of ravers, DJs, MCs and music lovers under one roof for a day driven by pure energy, connection and nostalgia. From the raw warehouse atmosphere to the euphoric sounds that defined an era, this is a tribute to the nights that changed everything. Expect uplifting old school piano anthems, hardcore classics, acid house, jungle, and trance colliding with cutting edge production and sound. Let us be your fantasy.”
From: Fantazia | Document Open Air

“SUMMER IS HERE AND IT'S TIME TO PARTY Have you suffered from seasonal depression this year? We’re here to fix that - so get your sunnies on and your flippie floppies, grab your inflatable palm tree and get to the crown on June 5th to embrace British Summertime BABYYYYYY The Crown - Bristol xoxoxo Summer 2000s pop with a silly twist Expect bootleg David Guetta with a fat beat on it Dress Code not strict but highly encouraged if ur cool: 2000s summer beach party OR 2016 throwback era Got some banging DJs for you throwing happy hardcore/silly bouncy techno and generally stupid music your way. KitKat HausWife Underside Sinko 18+ Remember your ID'S!!!!!!”
From: Notizz Summer Party

“The latest edition of 2 Bad Mice & Friends lands in Bristol and this time they invite some of the the scenes finest beat technicians for the ride!!! A multi genre night exploring Everything Rave - from acid house to old skool to jungle, DnB, and more!!!!!”
From: 2 Bad Mice & Friends

“Curated by local DJs Janus and Lomare, this day is all about inclusive, welcoming vibes and top-tier dance music. Expect a genre-spanning journey designed to bring people together on the dancefloor. - Event Details Join us at The Cider Box on Friday 27th February, from 19:00 to 03:00 - CELINE DIJON - Party starter and founder of Get On Festival, Celine Dijon brings high-energy, genre-spanning bangers to the dance floor. With a wicked Voices Radio show under his belt, expect acid house, disco, and everything in between.”
From: Blue Marbles

“CAPTAIN CHAOS - happy hardcore galore One third of the Wronguns Crew, and a fifth of the Full Power Party Crew, Captain Chaos is leading our ship of villains into the flamboyant waters of Happy Hardcore making stops on bubble washed shores and lands of fun and frivolity. With high octane bouncy tunes, he will be rocking the boat with a dancefloor of stomping feet and bringing chaos to the crew!”
From: DEADLY NIGHTS