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

Sell out warning! Sun-baked and sublime, São Paulo’s Sessa leads his full band through cosmic folk steeped in Afro-Brazilian styles and música popular brasileira. His sonorous crooning glides over lush rhythmic interplay in surging samba fusion, breathing in everything from soul to psych rock. A masterclass in heat FFO: Elza Soares, Novos Baianos, Lo Borges, Sly & The Family Stone. Sessa + special guests at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! The shot in the arm blues rock needed. Amythyst makes shimmering Southern Americana instilled with Black power and gay pride; confrontational protest songs mixed with rousingly personal tales of love and anguish, and everywhere Kiah’s jawdropping vocal theatrics. The hottest thing in country blues right now FFO: Valerie June, Shovels & Rope, Emmylou Harris, Rhiannon Giddens. Amythyst Kiah at Exchange.

Daraa Tribes summon the desert with polyrhythmic drums, call-and-response chants, and bluesy Saharan strings. Rooted in the traditions and histories of Tagounite’s oasis tribes, they sing in Darija, Tamazight, and Hassani, stirring the room to communal rapture. A standout FFO: Imarhan, Tamikrest, Tinariwen. Daraa Tribes at The Jam Jar.

Look no further than this sweet Exchange matinee for family-friendly NYE joys: heartfelt acoustic guitar balladry from Washington punk-folker and ex-RVIVR frontperson Erica Freas, side-by-side with singer-songwriter newbie duo Box Room. Free entry for under 16s + all over by 4pm = deeeeelightful. NYE Matinee with Erica Freas & Box Room at Exchange.

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What our editors say

“Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra have been gleefully trampling over genre boundaries for over a decade now, chucking rockabilly, blues, country, swing, soul and more into their musical gumbo, but always sounding mostly just like themselves.”
From: Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra + The Swamp Puppies

“Due to popular demand, those masters of emotional electronics MESH are playing their homeland again, it’s no secret their songs pull at your very heartstrings while more often then not, have you dancing the blues away too.”
From: Mesh

“For Kenney both of these releases serve as stepping stones in his artistic disciplines, as he seeks a way to use his knowledge of traditional fiddle music in his own compositions without compromising the integrity of either. Through direct experience, Kenney allows other musical forms such as psychedelia, bluegrass, jazz and Italian tarantella to seep into his music but never so far as to allow any one influence to dominate his deep love for traditional fiddle playing. The result of crossing these stones is his forthcoming work Tiny Little Light, set to be released in September 2025.”
From: Mikey Kenney

“Blending blues, folk, soul, and Americana, Bibb delivers songs full of warmth, hope, and stories that connect past and present. His masterful acoustic guitar, rich baritone, and storytelling craft create intimate, unforgettable performances. On stage, he’s joined by Glen Scott (bass, keys, backing vocals), Robbie McIntosh (guitar), and Paul Robinson (drums), performing both new tracks and beloved classics.”
From: One Mississippi

“Following his youth in Wimberley, TX, playing blues, manouche jazz, and western swing in bars and dance halls across the state, Buck moved to Brooklyn and released two solo EPs, Live from a Volcano (2013), and Heart Was Beat (2015). Concurrently, he met songwriter Adrianne Lenker in 2012, and after a year of fervent collaboration, they recorded two EPs,”
From: Buck Meek