Bristol Techno Nights

upcoming clubnight

Bristol's Techno Scene

Techno is a big deal in Bristol, book the right names or build a strong enough reputation and you’re gonna need a seriously big club to keep everyone happy. And so Bristol has Motion, masterfully converted into a 1200+ capacity nightclub from derelict warehouse via a skatepark. If Motion is Bristol’s techno castle then there’s no denying Just Jack is king. Reigning for over a decade, Just Jack have enough programming muscle to pull names like Ricardo Villalobos and Omar S. If there’s a secret to the ultimate big-room techno experience, then Motion knows it.

On the other hand, if there’s a secret to healthy techno scene, then Bristol has totally nailed it. While tickets for Just Jack, Apex and Tribe of Frog may sell in their thousands, some of Bristol’s most forward thinking techno nights have capacities for just one or two hundred. The Prison Cells at The Island have become an unlikely home to some of the most adventurous dance music in Bristol. Promoters like Room 237 and Timedance are putting out challenging and thought-provoking line-ups with past guests including the likes of Surgeon, Untold, Asusu and Helena Hauff.

If techno had a spiritual home in Bristol, it would be Lakota. With 4 rooms, a back-to-basics yard and a pair of coroners courtrooms for larger events, Lakota is Bristol’s ultimate techno playground. The venue has found favour with pervasive promoters including the electro-techno focused Get Born and bass techno masters Wide Eyes.

Amongst the city’s resident house music djs, many of Bristol’s best techno djs regularly play Bristol’s smaller clubs and bars. Dojos, The Love Inn, The Doghouse and the Small Horse Inn to name a few.

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Our recent techno recommendations

Yup, Great Lengths is one of the all-time greatest dubstep LPs – but watching Martyn shapshift through Brainfeeder astral jazz, Berlin broken techno and Metalheadz dnb intricacy is the real reward. 3024’s a house built on shifting sands, us humble mortals are just riding the waves Dune worm-style. Anything can happen, and that’s why disciples of Peverelist, Shed, Pearson Sound, Kode9 etc won’t be anywhere else. JoyLift x Strange Brew Present- Martyn, EM + STAV at Strange Brew.

We’ve been waiting a long time for this one! Príncipe set the global club circuit alight with dizzying batida mutations, almost single-handedly putting Lusophone-African music on the map. Their fabled Bristol return is a legends only affair, with speaker-rattling kuduro from label lynchpin DJ Marfox, next-gen wunderkid Helviofox’s percolating Afrohouse and Saffron’s Marla Kether stepping out - one for the books! Baile do Futuro & Strange Brew invite: Príncipe Discos at Strange Brew.

Big multi-genre gig/club racket, raising much-needed cash for Road To Freedom’s work supporting displaced people. Representing guitarland: Trans-Siberian Express and their patented psychedelic splurge-pop alongside Bunny Boilers’ thrashy riot grrrl action. For the sound system rotters: Soz Lad’s Nymfro in total hard dance tear-out mode with Mizdameaner’s darkside techstep stylings. FXCK BORDERS at Lost Horizon.

The devil wears Prada and will be strutting it out in the tunnels as Fagbutt returns to unleash hell! Guiding your descent into the demonic drag rave depths: a masterclass in disco + house decadence from Prosumer, Sue Veneers’ electro-camp chaos and a host of infernal performers serving up daring dramatics throughout the night. Dress to distress! FAGBUTT: HELL DISCO w/ Prosumer at Loco Klub.

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What our editors say

“Celebrate my birthday in style at The Queens Head pub with an electrifying day of disco, techno, and breakbeat. The soundtrack moves unapologetically between genres, blending timeless grooves with cutting-edge beats to keep the dancefloor alive. Expect a vibrant atmosphere, great drinks, and a crowd ready to move all night. Whether you're into funky rhythms or underground energy, this party promises an unforgettable mix of sounds and celebrations. Line up: The Ballbreaker Lean Allmighty Rubn Delarhythm More TBC”
From: Summer B-Day Party

“Control Freak lands in Bristol once again, this time with Naarm-based DJ & producer Pugilist in tow. With a prolific output spanning all shades of bass music, dub, jungle & techno - don’t miss a rare chance to see this sub-pressure technician on UK soil, joined by label founders/residents Control Freak and local mainstay Monika Taneska.”
From: Control Freak Recordings: Pugilist & Monika Taneska

“Ek4t3 Collective and Disturbo Records presents: Subterranean Frequencies An event of loud and fast tempos to deliver sonic chaos at Moor Beer. from dark, raw techno to hardcore and from breakcore to speedcore. Wild Livesets and vinyl sets to start your night in the most extreme possible. Sadistician vs HateWire (Live) VNVS1 (Live) 3Morph (Live) James GingerTwins (Live) Potatox (Vinyl Set) Nacht (Vinyl Set) Mistykore (Vinyl Set) RobV (Vinyl Set) Dvision27 (Live Visuals) Ariainthehoop (Juggling Performance) Merch stall // Record shop area TICKET FROM HERE OR ONLY CASH ON THE DOOR https://fb.me/e/7WzyMNSW6”
From: Subterranean Frequencies

“FAIRIES VS WITCHES (ROUND 2) Last one sold out… so if you’re reading this, consider it your prophecy The forest wasn’t ready the first time… so we’ve reopened the portal. Again. Bad idea? Probably. We’re summoning the louder, uglier, more possessed side of sound this time: jungle, hardcore, industrial techno, schranz, tribecore & acidcore (aka: music that sounds like it’s being cast in a damp cave at 3am) Mystic motion, set your notion, early birds will be gone in smoke and potion Abracadabra, don’t delay, grab your ticket, and let’s fly awayyyy @notizzcollective + @aphrodite.audio brewing chaos in the cauldron Dress code highly encouraged, you know the drill”
From: Fairies vs Witches 2.0

“Strange Brew presents: Kia + livwutang + Junior We’re excited to welcome two selectors at the top of their game on Friday 8th May livwutang is a DJ who pulls from every corner of the dance music spectrum, weaving between house, techno and bass music with a dub-wise approach. Kia heads up the Animalia label and approaches sets with a playful take on house and techno, creating a driving, psychedelic world that’s free-flowing. On warm up duties is Junior. Expect dubby left field selections from a Noods Radio regular. Artwork @guillaume”
From: Strange Brew presents Kia + livwutang + Junior