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Bristol's Experimental Music Listings

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Bristol's Experimental Music Scene

It’s Bristol’s dance music that has earnt Bristol’s music scene international recognition, but the city’s playful experimentation between musicianship, electronics and sound art that is starting to gain the most traction. It's with a sigh of relief that we bid farewell to loop-pedal-powered hippies of the past and embrace the patch bays, compressors and modular synths of the future. All Bristol’s experimental music events are listed on this page.

Buy tickets for experimental music events in Bristol

What our editors say

“Expect an evening of genre-fluid performance where deep spiritual transformation meets boundless energy. With their debut album in the making at Berlin's Brewery Studios, this is a chance to witness an emerging force in experimental jazz.”
From: Sera Kalo's eX.II

“Her third album “Sunwise”, to be released in June this year, includes guests on uilleann pipes and organ, as well as Canadian composer Colin Stetson (saxophone) and her father Aonghas Phàdraig (spoken word) and brother Eòsaph (vocals). Extending the fearless, experimental ethos of her lauded 2023 album "Carry Them With Us,” Brìghde Chaimbeul's new music continues to push the boundaries and expectations of both experimental and traditional sonics.”
From: Brighde Chaimbeul

“Though residing in Paris for many years now, Eric was a fixture of DIY and experimental music in Toronto throughout the 1990s and 2000s, notably with legendary Toronto punk band Phleg Camp and then towards the further reaches of improv, avant-folk & contemporary jazz.”
From: Eric Chenaux & RÓIS

“Having established his reputation as a versatile and supremely inventive guitar ace, he then launched a solo career that focused on instrumental, often experimental compositions that pulled from a variety of styles, from sparse American primitive to pastoral country-driven rock and folk, with albums such as acoustic-driven Behold the Spirit (2010) and the expansive full-band effort, Modern Country (2016) receiving widespread critical acclaim. Experience the cosmic country sound of William Tyler live in our subterranean Weston Stage this June.”
From: William Tyler

“Welcoming experimental club maverick aya back to Briz for a live set in celebration of her MENTAL upcoming LP ‘hexed!’ (out March on Hyperdub), melding the sprawling bifurcations of soundsystem culture with delocalised internet muzack and post-hardcore lamentations. After the heavyweight rave revelry b2b with k means for SNOG in 2023 and playing at the huuge PTS show with DJ Ramon Sucesso show last year, we are so xcited to host her return to Avon.”
From: aya