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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

Our recent experimental music recommendations

British folk iconoclast Chris Wood graces the candlelit hush of John Wesley’s New Room. His everyday epics sketch sharp-edged portraits of England’s many overlooked lives, from empty nests to minor league football teams to tragedies of industrial decay. Acute compassion ballads FFO: Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Billy Bragg, Richard Dawson. Chris Wood at John Wesley’s New Room.

Sell out warning! Granny’s Attic craft a mischievous folk playground, weaving original tunes into centuries-old reels and laments with effortless virtuosity. Crisp melodies, playful textures, and infectious energy celebrate the living, breathing pulse of the folk tradition. Joyous foot-stomping magic FFO: Jack Rutter, Eliza Carthy, Salt House. Granny's Attic - Greenbank Folk Club at St Anne's Church, Eastville.

Marauding Norsemen Agabas charge into town wielding their self-coined ‘deathjazz’: a pummeling uptempo rawk engine with a thrash gallop, horn blasts strafing through the noise, and shredding throat growls atop a storm of riffs and rhythms. A cataclysmic ruin ritual FFO: Kvelertak, Imperial Triumphant, Slipknot, Converge. AGABAS at Exchange.

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.

What our editors say

“Blowout x JOY. presents - Portrayal of Guilt - Austin black metal trio Portrayal of Guilt return to Bristol this November for their first show here since 2023, touring in support of their boundary pushing and uncompromising latest album '...Beginning of the End". A release that sees them broaden their sound even more with industrial, nu-metal and trip hop influence into the mix. LA electronic duo Spike Hellis join as special guests. An incredible double bill, don't miss out. Nov 16th 2026 Rough Trade, Bristol Doors 7:30pm / £17adv 14+ (U18S accompanied with an adult)”
From: Portrayal of Guilt

“Old Empire present Krallice + special guests tba "Krallice is a metal band formed by New York City musicians Colin Marston, Mick Barr, Nick McMaster and Lev Weinstein. They play an experimental, highly technical style of black metal. The band has released eight studio albums and two EPs, most recently the LP Go Be Forgotten on November 21, 2017. They have been described as "one of the most interesting, engaging black metal bands to emerge in recent years" and "one of the most important bands in modern black metal”. Age: 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)”
From: Krallice + special guests

“Les Caravanes £5/8/10 Adv 7pm doors Les Caravanes is a travelling folk club led by Sam Grassie (broadside hacks) & Mataio Austin Dean (Shovel Dance Collective). The evening encompasses various styles of traditional & modern folk music; celtic fingerstyle guitar, unaccompanied ballads & experimental folk. Special guests are invited to share intimate short performances before the caravanes assemble and lead a late night session. Write to the caravan if you would like to perform. Please note the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a narrow enclosed staircase. For more accessibility info, please email [email protected]”
From: Les Caravanes Folk Club

“Ninush is the solo project of London-based violinist, songwriter and producer Nina Lim, blending experimental electronica, intricate string arrangements and intimate vocals into a distinctive sound shaped by collaborations with artists including Black Country, New Road, Jockstrap, Geordie Greep and Little Simz. This is an unreserved seated show. + Support www.eyesofftheclock.com”
From: Ninush

“The Five Hundred With Eschalon and The Mechanist A force in UK heavy metal, hail from Nottingham’s industrial heartland. Emerging in the early 2010s, they crafted a sound blending metalcore’s raw intensity with the precision of djent and progressive metal. Their name symbolises unity and strength, mirroring their tightly knit, high-energy musical synergy that has solidified them as a dominant presence in the UK metal scene. 7pm doors £10 Adv Please note the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a narrow enclosed staircase. For more accessibility info, please email [email protected]”
From: The Five Hundred