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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

Free entry! Imploding destructo-rock double billing from two treasured local underground units. Riley/Radley take a desert-frazzled Sun City Girls-style detour into primitive guitar twang and impressionistic drums, while Carnivorous Plants marry found radio sound smudges with melodic dronegaze delight. A basement treasure FFO: Bill Orcutt, Dirty Three, Flying Saucer Attack, Manuel Mota. RILEY/RADLEY + CARNIVOROUS PLANTS at Cafe Kino.

A quadruple bill of oddball sonics for Mouthfeel’s Xmas shubz at The Cube. In the mix: Kar Pouzi’s melding baritone sax and electronix, Copper Sounds’ epic sonic sculpture meets electro-acoustic mastery, Jo Hellier’s operatic melodrama, and Raina Greifer’s grotesque festive cabaret. Freax to the front! Kar Pouzi, Copper Sounds, Spell Press, Raina Greifer

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 on Exchange main stage. Featuring Piss Drinker, among others. 6PM start

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

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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

“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: SARRAM+ Colossloth+Prior at the Golden Lion Bristol

“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

“The group’s interpolation of melody, drone, improvisation and complex riffing becomes a transmogrifying act embodying the depth of human experience. In its highest aspiration it mirrors our ability to endure mortal and spiritual challenges, through which we may emerge with an increased capacity for understanding, empathy, love of self and others.”
From: SUMAC

“We bring London's atmospheric 'heavy pop' quartet Wildernesses to Exchange Basement this March! Formed in May 2025, the band straddle ambient, shoegaze and alt genres to combine big, layered sounds with melodic hooks, poetic lyrics and soulful vocal delivery.”
From: Wildernesses