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

Sell out warning! Brussels club angel AZO beams in live ‘n direct with outerdimensional synths and hypnotic analog drum kicks in a slick blend of acid, prog house and funk with a healthy nod to UK hardcore. Joining her, a live debut from Queerky fam The Ribbit Itch + plenty more resident techno mutations and a dreamy cuddle puddle chill-out room. QUEERKY w/ AZO at Loco Klub.

Sell out warning! Few can claim to have bent dance music quite like A Guy Called Gerald; the architect behind Voodoo Ray and Black Secret Technology still sounds like tomorrow! Do ya homework if you haven’t already, before the Manchester mastermind locks in for a marathon all-day session, spiralling through acid house tekkers and rudeboy-funk to sci-fi jungle futurism and beyond. A Guy Called Gerald - All Day Long at Lost Horizon.

Sell out warning! Bristol’s dub underground get their prayers answered with this seismic, intimate Brew visitation by The Earth Rocker himself! Celebrating another milestone for TiD / Dubkasm architect Stryda, Sufferah’s Choice dubplates will rumble your soul, mediated by the mighty Qualitex stacks, with Aba Shanti-I in full Falasha communion. Truly, we are blessed. 30 years of Sufferah's Choice: Stryda & Aba Shanti-I at Strange Brew.

Riggy, where ya been grrrl? Growing that purple stack til it’s towering over ya! The iconic rotter rig returns for a rare solo outing, womping Loco into the dust with Off Me Nut rave nut Spongebob Squarewave slinging the silliest hardcore mash-ups, Amen4Tekno’s Keptek riding that diesel-powered speedbass, Theo-3’s repping bassline and jackin’ house + loads more. Air horns, edits, and meme mischief aplenty! RIGGY STARDUST RETURNS at Loco Klub.

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What our editors say

“Karl O'Connor is most certainly Regis and it is also highly probable that he propagates other pseudonyms. This has only added to the greater mythology surrounding the influential Downwards label that he has run with fellow art terrorist Peter Sutton (Female) since 1993. Unconventional and single-minded to say the least (what label can boast a back catalogue free of the industry standard cash cow remix ) by decentralising the focus on the dj/producer personality, he remains one of the more highly regarded creative forces within the British techno/electronic scene. Degenerate art indeed. #theislandvenue”
From: Regis featuring Liam Andrews + Support TBC

“RAMBLE Presents: A special night to begin the journey. Ramble brings together Jonty, Morgan Stansfield & Ben Kay for the first instalment. Expect fluid, high-energy house, prog, techno and everything beyond, all night long — taking you through the sounds at the heart of Ramble. Come down and be a part of something special. 10:30PM — Doors 11PM — Music 10:30–11:30PM — Happy Hour (20% off) Tickets available now via Headfirst. Exchange has a small ramp entrance from the street. Our bar and main event space are on the ground floor with level access throughout and we have an accessible toilet. If you need any other info on accessibility, please contact [email protected]”
From: Ramble

“WICKED DECOR AND LIGHTING SUPPLIED BY THE VISUAL MASTERS, TEKONTA & EYE CANDY A THUNDERWEIGHT SOUNDSYSTEM A WHOLE LOAD OF PROPER FUCKING TEKNO & JUNGLE Join us for a massive dance and support our mission! Set List : 22.00 - 23.00 - DJ EQUIPMENT (acid techno vinyl ) 23.00 - 12.00 - HANG TREE KREW (vinyl hang Tree krew power hour) 12.00 - 01.00 - BEATEN TRACK ( tribe vinyl ) 01.00 - 02.00 - KRUNX ( tribe live set ) 02.00 - 03.00 - NEW AGE VERMIN ( slammin tribe vinyl ) 03.00 - 04.00 - SARIOU ( jungle / acid core vinyl )”
From: TEKNO GENERATOR

“After a blinding sold-out debut in November, Kylie Wears Berghaus returns to Lost Horizon this September for another headline set of turbo Kylie. This is Kylie like you’ve never heard her before. 2 hours of exclusive, first-time-aired edits, transcending across house, breaks, acid, trance and techno. Support TBA.”
From: Kylie Wears Berghaus

“Kirsty joins techno powerhouses Teletech on their return to Bristol on her debut All Night Long tour. Expect an energy filled mix of hard techno, hardcore, hardstyle & gabber at The Clock Factory.”
From: Teletech Bristol: KIRSTY