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Drone, Noise & Experimental

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Bristol's Drone/noise Scene

Bristol’s drone and noise rock scenes are some of the most awesome musical niches found in this city. Small packed-out gigs, captivated crowds and performers pushing the boundaries between music, white noise and sound art. While international names like Tim Hecker and the Haxan Cloak have made appearances in Bristol, it’s local label Howling Owl Records and promoters Cacophonous Sarcophagus who are leading the way here. Keep your eyes peeled for gigs at the Arnolfini gallery, The Cube cinema, The Exchange and small events spaces like the Scout Hut and Centre Space.

Intimate Drone/noise music in Bristol
The Bristol drone/noise scene, it’s not just the Bristol Hum like you’d think! Bristol drone and noise gigs can be some of the most intimate around, the crowd all huddled in silence in one of Bristol prestigious venues (like the newly rebranded Bristol Beacon). Although lacking big local names to rival international drone artists like William Basinski or Tim Hecker, there’s been a recent increase in ambient gigs, nights like Dark Alchemy and Lust Pattern have taken the beat out of music but still made it droney and noisey, and just very Bristol.

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Our recent drone/noise recommendations

Sell out warning! 2 years was well worth the wait for this colossal offering from the Bristol New Music gods. A feast of experimental-minded recitals, workshops and club nights, pushing the boundaries of contemporary classical, jazz, sound art and pop across multiple venues in our fair city. Bristol New Music - Saturday pass at Bristol Beacon.

Sell out warning! Canadian-American experimentalist claire rousay shapes extended soundscapes from field recordings, found sounds, and ethereal autotuned vocals, mining deep emotion from minimal materials. With stunning support from Lucy Railton’s unsettling electronic-flecked cello carvings, this is sonic cartography FFO: Laurel Halo, Kali Malone, KMRU, Tim Hecker. claire rousay + Lucy Railton + Harry Górski-Brown & Wojciech Rusin at St George's Bristol.

Sell out warning! BNM have truly pulled it out the bag showcasing some of the most outré and forward-thinking music-makers around. Friday sees us diving deep into: KMRU’s dissonant noise and heavy synth drones; Saint Abdullah, Eomac & Rebecca Salvadori unleashing crunching illbient AV wonderment; and Yunis weaving a cosmic ritual of Egyptian street-fire experimentation. Serious! KMRU + Saint Abdullah, Eomac & Rebecca Salvadori + YUNIS at Arnolfini.

Sell out warning! Dare you miss your annual dose of Pink Lady Lemonade? The definitive freak-out group of the 21st century unite with Teeth of the Sea’s crunchy mutant soundscapes for a potent dose of beyond-experimental psych. Unhinged music for unhinged fans of: Hawkwind, Amon Düül, Gnod, Comets on Fire, Föllakzoid. Acid Mothers Temple / Teeth of The Sea / Thee Alcoholics at Strange Brew.

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What our editors say

“MOUNTAINSCAPE Instrumental post-metal Blending elements of post-rock, black metal, doom, sludge and ambient, MOUNTAINSCAPE meld dreamlike shoegaze with earth-shattering heaviness, unexpected twists and film score grandeur. A band on the rise, last year they notably played PORTALS festival and supported DVNE and NIGHT VERSES.”
From: Urzah

“They released their debut EP Ode To A in 2023, earning it a spot on The Thin Air’s “Best of 2023” list. "Ode To A succeeds not just in the artistic practice of the avant-garde, but as piece of an engaging, genuinely psychedelic experimental drone rock” – Stevie Lennox, The Thin Air. In April 2024, they released their second EP “GOING INSANE” on cult Porto based label Socorro, with a limited vinyl run via Ireland’s beloved Blowtorch Records, receiving much critical acclaim.”
From: pôt-pot

“BACCHUS PRESENTS: DAUFØDT Norwegian noise rock-punks Daufødt come to Bristol ahead of an appearance at Desertfest London. Known for their harsh, drone-infused music, Daufødt continue to experiment with the genre-defying noise that has earned them spots at festivals across Europe. Catch them at Cafe Kino for an intense & intimate show in the basement with an all-star local lineup including: PEACELILY - LOW END HC DYNAMIC DUO TVWIFE - VERY LOUD NOISE ROCK GET FUCKED - SLUDGEY GOBLIN PUNKS”
From: Daufødt w/ Peacelily, TvWife, Get Fucked

“S A R R A M,solo project of Valerio Marras,heads to Bristol,on tour ,and all the way from Sardinia, Italy.' A dark ceremony ' , promises ambient electronic noise , with a new album.FFO Coil,Sunn ((((0))))) ,The Body ,Nadja.”
From: S A R R A M + Colossloth + Prior+ DJ JG

“Join Fishwife for their debut performance on the outdoor garden stage at Windmill Hill City Farm. Blending guitar, piano, bass and cello with intimate harmonies, Fishwife create lyrical folk with a whimsical edge. Their songwriting is inspired by their everyday lives, with a hint of poetry mixed in, while at times drifting into more ambient, experimental textures. Taking place on the outdoor garden stage at Windmill Hill City Farm, this gig makes the most of a lovely spring evening in a unique setting. Windmill Hill City Farm – outdoor garden stage 9th May Doors 6pm | Music 6:30–8pm £8 Support act TBC”
From: Fishwife – at Windmill Hill City Farm