A experimental music gig in Bristol

Bristol's Experimental Music Listings

upcoming gig

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

“An advocate for inspiring more arts and culture in his hometown, Finn Hails from the industrial town of Middlesbrough in the North East of England and his songs come from places of real truth, deliver anthemic melodies and shine light on the trials and tribulations of his youth told through captivating vocals.”
From: Finn Forster

“After the remarkable success and acclaim that greeted her second album, Carry Them With Us, Brìghde Chaimbeul returns with a magic(k)al third album, Sunwise, which sees her push forward experimentally but also immerse her music more deeply in tradition, folklore and mystery. 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: Brìghde Chaimbeul + Nora Brown with Stephanie Coleman

“Bloodworm capture the dark, atmospheric energy of gothic rock while channeling the melodic sensibilities of post-punk legends. With haunting vocals from singer George Curtis reminiscent of The Cure, brooding basslines that echo Joy Division’s raw intensity, and swirling guitars that nod to the shoegaze textures of Ride, they take you on a sonic journey through the melancholic and the ethereal. ‘Back of a Hand’ and ‘Depths' has solidified their place in the modern goth-punk scene, offering a fresh yet nostalgic sound that will resonate with fans of the genre’s pioneers.”
From: BLOODWORM

“Known for crafting nocturnal, surrealist music that feels both intimate and otherworldly, Dalt has spent over a decade reshaping the boundaries of experimental pop, sound art and electronic composition.”
From: Danger To Ourselves Tour

“Play/Dead Four piece band with a dynamic stage show. From industrial metal anthems, synth wave stompers and glam rock floor fillers one thing is for sure – each song delivers emotion, vitriol and theatrics which are all part of the ongoing semi-autobiographical multi album concept continuing with the bands imminent third release following - 2018s Suicide, Rock & Rock and 2022s Subliminal Messages/Beneath the Limen”
From: Elkapath

Trending Experimental Music Gigs

Orcutt Shelley Miller + Cole Pulice at Strange Brew
— Strange Brew
jazz psych ambient experimental rock new age
DINNER & A SHOW - Bristol Experimental Puppet Festival OPEN MEET/STAGE at PRSC
— PRSC
experimental open mic theatre cabaret festival
Bristol New Music 2026 - Festival Pass at Bristol Beacon
— Bristol Beacon
experimental contemporary jazz dub contemporary classical electronic
ORA COGAN at Rough Trade Bristol
— Rough Trade Bristol
folk singer-songwriter psych post-punk shoegaze
Monochrome Festival of Ugly Music at The Cube
— The Cube
experimental metal noise death metal
Yann Tiersen at Bristol Beacon
— Bristol Beacon
folk rock post rock new age electronic

Bristol's Trending Live Music Venues

Exchange The Louisiana Jam Jar The Trinity Centre The Marble Factory Rough Trade Bristol
Aes Dana at Lost Horizon
— Lost Horizon
experimental psych ambient electronic
Monochrome Festival of Ugly Music - Saturday Only at Exchange
— Exchange
experimental metal noise industrial death metal
Pain Matter at Exchange
— Exchange
ambient noise industrial drone
SWIG featuring Chris Cundy and Rachel Musson at The Star and Dove, 75-78 St Luke Road, Totterdown, Bristol, BS34RY
— The Star and Dove, 75-78 St Luke Road, Totterdown, Bristol, BS34RY
experimental
Puppet making workshop for Resettling Communities at St Chad's Church,172 Rodway Rd, Patchway,  Bristol BS34 5ED
— St Chad's Church,172 Rodway Rd, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5ED
experimental workshops & classes
Perpetually Stew at KIT FORM
— KIT FORM
experimental
Silk Painting Workshop at Wiper and True Taproom, Old Market
— Wiper and True Taproom, Old Market
experimental workshops & classes talks
Folketronic at The Louisiana
— The Louisiana
alternative rock folk psych psychedelic rock
Catching Sight of My Reflection: Kamina Walton and Hannah Sullivan at Arnolfini
Rian Treanor & Rai Tateishi  + Eye Measure at The Cube
— The Cube
experimental world noise drone electronic
The Brackish at The Canteen
— The Canteen
experimental experimental rock
Realist Ax glitch.cool // sunnk, Thorjn, Genie Tempest & more at The Cube
— The Cube
experimental ambient noise industrial electronic
Awkward Corners & Mothdrop at Cafe Kino
— Cafe Kino
experimental world ambient drone electronic
Neon Nights : Cyberpunk 2026 Override at After Dark
— After Dark
lgbtq+ alternative metal synthpop goth electro