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

Woi oi! Iconic 'ardkore action incoming from the unrivaled Moving Shadow fold! Reinforced / Altern8 / Shut Up And Dance heads will already have their tickets of course. For everyone else: breakbeat ravestalgia doesn’t come much ruffer than 2 Bad Mice, chopping samples and bombing tha bass like it was the Second Summer of Love all over again. 2 Bad Mice + Friends at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Harakiri are the only band you need on your post-black sky chariot riding mix. Triumphant melody barely disguising soul-wrenching trauma, blistering blast-beats; BM purists beware, this is pure catharsis stitched with post-rock, post-hardcore, grunge and skramz DNA. With Denmark's impossibly mournful Sunken opening things up, ethereal awakenings await disciples of: Alcest, Deafheaven, Drudkh, WitTR. Harakiri for the Sky & Sunken at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! You’ve never heard pipes like this! Queer futurism from visionary bagpiper Malin Lewis, playing self-made instruments and the world’s first wooden Lindsay Chanter. Malin channels their pipes and drones to form a layered, shifting sonic language that lives between binaries. Malin Lewis at The Jam Jar.

British folk iconoclast Chris Wood graces the candlelit hush of John Wesley’s New Room. His everyday epics sketch sharp-edged portraits of England’s many overlooked lives, from empty nests to minor league football teams to tragedies of industrial decay. Acute compassion ballads FFO: Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Billy Bragg, Richard Dawson. Chris Wood at John Wesley’s New Room.

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What our editors say

“Transatlantic folk band The Magpies are quickly becoming one of the most exciting and innovative acts on the contemporary roots scene. Combining sublime harmonies with exquisite musicianship and impressive songwriting, The Magpies traverse Anglo and American roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails, to create an effortless melting pot of music. ”
From: The Magpies Album Launch

“Funke and the Two Tone Baby is a truly unique artiste. Designing music on a machine of his own creation whilst playing a genre and sound that is totally his own. Jammed between off-kilter garage beats with a flash of hip-hop, and high energy alternative blues with a dose of funk, is a whirling blur of glitches, big drops and jump up choruses. It’s Fatboy Slim meets The White Stripes via LCD Soundsystem and a smattering of IDLES to boot. No one is making music in this way or in this style, and those who know, know, and those who don’t are surely missing out.”
From: Funke and The Two Tone Baby

“SUPPORT - Carniepunks play 'Acid-crypt swamp-punkadelia'. They channel the spirits of early post-punk bands such as Killing Joke, Bauhaus and The Birthday Party and the deranged psychedelic blues of Dr John the Night Tripper. Carniepunks excavate the ghosts of their birthplace's dark heart in drum-heavy songs spiked with a tincture of dread. The fetid Avon delta is a cursed place full of bad magic.”
From: The Fallen Leaves + Carniepunks

“Eli Paperboy Reed has established himself as one of the leading figures in the modern soul revival, earning acclaim for his passionate vocals, vintage sound, and deep respect for the traditions of Southern soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, and blues.”
From: Eli Paperboy Reed

“Steve ‘n’ Seagulls combine bluegrass, folk and rock / metal music, the kind of band you’ve never heard before and can’t wait to hear again. Hailing from Finland, this flock of musical energy keeps on going and flying faster than ever.”
From: Steve ‘n’ Seagulls