What's On / Bristol Gigs / drone/noise

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! Crazed cumbia meets mutant surf, acid champeta and retro-future radiophonic SFX via Bogotá’s most notorious supergroup (ft. Meridian Brothers mastermind Eblis Alvarez). Astonishingly strange new instrumental worlds FFO: Romperayo, Dengue Dengue Dengue!, Ondatrópica, Frente Cumbiero, Fumaça Preta. Los Pirañas at The Jam Jar.

Sell-out warning! Gorgeous, dream-soaked ghost music, refracted through hypnagogic pop lulls and a soulful jazz poise. Tara Clerkin Trio’s seductive sound is rooted in the city’s lineage of smudged trip-hop and experimental forms, with this homecoming gig at Trinity promising something quietly magical that we’ll all look back on for years to come… utterly unmissable. Tara Clerkin Trio at The Trinity Centre.

Sell out warning! Come commune with the music of the stones: TSHNE continues to astound after THAT intimate Bridget St John happening with Incredible String Band treasure Robin Williamson – the arch bard of UK outsider folk – gracing the lil ol’ Microplex. Undiminished by time, he performs with longtime partner Bina on a stunning set of Celtic and Indian traditionals, marked by intricate, eccentric magic. Robin & Bina Williamson + Rosie Brownhill + Fohn at The Cube.

Radical troubadour Grace Petrie brings her unique brand of fist-in-the-air protest folk to a rapturous St George's, examining social and political issues of austerity-ravaged modern Britain with Bragg-approved anthems of solidarity and solace. 21st century icon FFO: Frank Turner, Laura Jane Grace, Kirsty MacColl, Onsind. Grace Petrie - Bristol at St George's Bristol.

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What our editors say

“Gotobeat presents Deep Forest £30 Adv 7pm doors The Deep Forest story began in the early 90’s in the North of France with the intention of mixing ethnic music with their own electronic and jazz sounds. The Deep Forest live set of today is versatile, as likely to dip into high tempo electronic music or jazz for audiences to dance to as it is to be ambient and relaxing whilst always retaining that classic Deep Forest sound.”
From: Deep Forest

“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

“With the release of southwest post hardcore band Lovelost’s sophomore EP “Picking Petals By Your Graveside” on June 5th, they will be performing the EP in full at The Exchange SUPPORTS: Smiling Politely, a post-hardcore five-piece from Cheltenham. Arcadia Ego, Liverpool based Post-Hardcore four-piece. Featherfall, newly formed ambient post-hardcore from Cheltenham. Tickets: £7 ADV £9 OTD 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: LOVELOST - Picking Petals By Your Graveside + Support

“ANUNNAKI FAN CLUB - Ancient Interplanetary Jazz-Folk Summoning the return of creator Enki and other divine giants from Nibiru wielding solely the hypnotic power of drone based folk melodies and rhythms. Fiona Barrow - violin, accordion Stu Barker - hurdy-gurdy, uilleann pipes, trombone, vox Jeevan Singh - tabla, dholak Ross Hughes - clarinets, bansuri, disco-box https://www.instagram.com/anunnakifanclub?utm_source=qr”
From: ANUNNAKI FAN CLUB - Ancient Interplanetary Jazz-Folk

“Join us for an afternoon of eclectic ambient from the Muzak Concrète DJs (Noods Radio) interwoven with tabletop experiments from local ambient artists. A tapestry of cascading synths, bleeps, celestial vibrations, field recordings, earthy drones, ambient and ambience. We make a space for indirect listening and background enjoyment. Bring your knitting, a book, chess set or just yourself and immerse yourself in the music.”
From: Ambient Cafe