Bristol's Blues Events

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Bristol's Blues Scene

Is blues music under-represented in Bristol?

While other American-originated music like funk and soul enjoy a huge number of acts and dedicated venues, where is the home of blues in Bristol? With its roots in the oppression of the black peoples of America, blues was transplanted over to the UK via white rock acts like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. A quick browse of blues played on the BBC recently and tyhe Guardian’s list of the best blues festivals show some support for nearby Bath, but nothing for blues in Bristol. This begs the question: who will lead the new blues revival in Bristol?

Blues gigs in Bristol are found in pretty consistent venues with places like The Prom and the Thunderbolt popular live blues spots. Generally blues-rock seems more prominent in Bristol than traditional rhythm and blues bands or delta blues singers, although there is some really interesting stuff out there. Other venues to check for blues include the Cori Tap in Clifton and the Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Rd.

It's always worth looking at what's on at the Canteen in Bristol whose listings vary in style but are usually consistently high in quality - some potential blues gems there...

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Our recent blues recommendations

Asmâa is a revolution. The first woman in Morocco to play the three-stringed guimbri in public and blow the Gwana blues tradition wide open - she leads Bnat Timbouktou through trance-inducing sacred desert music with call-and-response mantras and the hypnotic clack of the qaraqab. History in the making! Asmâa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou at The Jam Jar.

Rapturous adventures in guitar and percussion, RIP the chord! Taking Steve Reich’s mallet-based minimalism and Glen Branca’s guitar orchestras to their logical peak - Ex Easter Island Head muster transcendental waves of drone and chiming bell-like tones from prepared electric strings. Norther Album Launch at The Cube.

Mesmerising cross-cultural conversations between harp and oud as UK folk traditions meld with the melodies of the Middle East. The dreamlike interplay between Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary needs to be witnessed Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary and Ruskavellas at Boiling Wells Amphitheatre, Boiling Wells Ln, Bristol BS2 9XY.

Come hear celestial kora ringing through the 15th century hallows of Saint Stephen’s church, plucked by the Bristol Griot - Senegalese master musician Moussa Kouyaté. With Baraka’s balafon expert Ben Badoo and David Mowat on horns, and a crash-course in ancestral griot culture by historian Bunja Conteh. THE BRISTOL GRIOT at St Stephen's Church, 21 St Stephen's Street, Old City, Bristol BS1 1EQ.

What our editors say

“From his years in the internationally acclaimed duo Soft Cell to the successful solo career that followed, Marc Almond has sold over 30 million records worldwide with his list of hit songs including ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, ‘Touch’ and, of course, ‘Tainted Love’. Audiences will also be treated to the supreme talent of blues guitar prodigy and social media sensation, Toby Lee, described by Joe Bonamassa as “a future superstar of the blues”.”
From: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

“Transformative may not be an urgent enough word to describe Grammy award-winning artist, Arooj Aftab. Her expansive repertoire is infused with jazz, South African, classical, pop and blues – which Aftab refers to as “global soul”.”
From: Arooj Aftab

“Sons of the South soul outfit HeavyDrunk has made waves with their signature raspy vocals and Americana infused sound. Their Mississippi delta blues, powerful gospel, and hard-hitting rock ‘n’roll energy charged their 2023 album You Don’t Know Me which was released to raise awareness and funds for the crumbling grave of music legend Robert Johnson.”
From: Heavy Drunk + Watermelon Slim + Leonardo Guiliani

“He is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm. Jalen grew up in a music loving family on the outskirts of Washington D.C. He began musical studies in grade school, where he dabbled in violin, ultimately moving on to the guitar and piano. His inspiration came from listening to his father’s collection, guiding him along a path of constant study and discovery, from early blues to gospel to jazz to rock and soul.”
From: Jalen Ngonda RESCHEDULED

“He is not only a stunning musician but also a foremost interpreter of Black folk music from the past, defiantly recontextualising traditional songs for the present day – shining a light on the major, often overlooked, contributions that Black, indigenous and LGBTQ artists have made to American folk traditions. Tonight, his trio – featuring double bass ace Nelson Williams and gifted multi-instrumentalist Gus Tritsch – will play his new album The New Faith, full of evocative songs, including Black spirituals and blues, and footstomping fiddle.”
From: Jake Blount