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

An unholy matrimony of piss and noise awaits at this delightfully cursed half-dayer. With uncompromising hardware distortions, spectral angelic drone and gothic power electronics from the likes of Distraxi, Acts of Worship and Pissdrinker, this’ll be a big one FFO: Pharmakon, Evicshen, Eggy Tapes, Uboa. Pissmas - Half-Dayer at Exchange.

Fabulous and filthy queer pagan-punk ritualism takes over the Kino basement as anarchogoth provocateurs Rites of Hadda bring their sax-fuelled psychedelia to town. Augmented by Hermeticus’ noise-rock + new wave, dub and punk from DJ Pete Webb on the decks to keep the punk spirit burning. A night of Anarcho, Wiccan, Queer, Punk, Psychedelia from Rites of Hadda alongside the heavy, drone guitars and tribal drums of Hermeticus. Punk n Dub n New Wave sounds from DJ Pete Webb

We’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Yelping electroindustrial painscapes. Ambient gnostic noise rituals. Carnivorous Plants double-droning in the dark of the Cube Microplex stage. All these moments will be lost in time, like liquid in the library :'((( Celebrate with old friends and new; the end of a decade of live gigs

Pagan-jazz torch songs and industrial-folk dirges shape-shift from the jaw-droppingly gorgeous to the utterly sinister in Sealionwoman’s double bass and vocal universe. Dark waters you could swim in forever FFO: Keeley Forsyth, late Scott Walker, Chelsea Wolfe, Jo Quail, Badalamenti. Ambient, Drone, Folk Sunday evening vibes

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What our editors say

“From the days of Bong to a host of collaborations; cranky lo fi Dungeon Synth to one of the most arresting and enveloping improvised solo drone projects around, Dawn Terry is a mainstay of the UK underground. She plays slow, melancholic, optimistic music for sad people. Based in Newcastle, she is a veteran drone artist, producing work that is heavy, dreamlike, open and hypnotic. In her recent music Dawn has turned towards acoustic resonances provided by accordion, hurdy-gurdy, and voice.”
From: SHFTD & SB pres. Jarboe feat. Thor Harris & Joy Von Spain + Dawn Terry

“Another rocket name to be reckoned with, Thee Alcoholics are experts in noise rock, recklessly combining distortion, psychedelia, drone and kraut into sounds reminiscent of The Fall, The Heads & Chrome. The band and their performances have been described as a "churning, doomy, krauty racket" and a "relentless brick to your face". Witness it and believe it!”
From: Acid Mothers Temple / Teeth of The Sea / Thee Alcoholics

“Danish duo Svaneborg Kardyb weave delicate melodies and hypnotic rhythms into something quietly transcendent. Blending jazz, folk, and ambient influences, their music shimmers with intimacy and warmth – a sound that feels both deeply rooted and endlessly open.”
From: Svaneborg Kardyb

“Based in Brooklyn, The Antlers began as Peter Silberman’s solo project, gradually evolving into a larger ensemble with Michael Lerner and formerly Darby Cicci. Their music blends indie rock with elements of art rock, dream pop, chamber pop and ambient textures.”
From: The Antlers + special guests

“Led by the Texas-born, Denmark-based artist Jason Dungan, Blue Lake is characterised by a peaceful, wandering approach. Blending folk, jazz and ambient music whilst often incorporating string, wind and percussion instruments as well as custom-built zithers, Blue Lake makes for beautifully radiant and tranquil compositions.”
From: Blue Lake , Memotone + Eva May