Like jazz, folk is an extremely broad genre. From Joan Baez and Joanna Newsom to Bon Iver and the Fleet Foxes to Sheelanegig and Beirut, the folk field is vast. Fortunately when it comes to catering for such a broad spectrum of live music, Bristol excels.
Was folk & acoustic born in the West Country?
With local venues like Bristol Folk House and Bristol University Folk society, folk and acoustic music has a strong foothold in Bristol. The romantic images of a farmer chewing grass sitting on a hay bale is a West Country classic, English folk music has always thrived in the countryside. While Bristol isn’t as rural as its surroundings, music people have always flocked to Bristol from the surrounding areas, bringing the folk sound with them. So while folk music wasn’t born in the west country, it sure does have a home in Bristol.
Folk venues in Bristol
For off-centre Twee and Anti-Folk, be sure to check out what's on at the Louisiana and check the Lost Horizon listings. Cafe Kino and The Arts House both on Stokes Croft also host occasional anti-folk bands and solo musicians.
For less lo-fi and more straight up folk, key venues include: The Leftbank, The Lansdown in Clifton, The South Bank Centre and The Folk House.
For more feisty folk bands keep an eye on gigs at The Attic and check out our gypsy jazz listings.
The folk big-guns and pop-crossover 'stars' like Noah and The Whale, Seth Lakeman and Mumford and Sons will be found at the biggest Bristol Venues (Colston Hall, o2 Academy and St George's Hall). For these gigs, arrive early as big folk events (at St Georges Hall in particular) can come packaged with some great (and potentially better) support artists.
Buy tickets for folk & acoustic events in Bristol
Our recent folk & acoustic recommendations
Bristol’s undisputed, enduring riot grrrrl rock’n’roll banshee Rita Lynch needs to be seen to be worshipped. The St Paul’s icon of razor-blade guitar anthems is always essential viewing FFO: PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Screaming Females, Breeders, Ex Hex.
Rita Lynch + Miss Kill + Zed Motel at The Thunderbolt.
Free entry! Norwich > Nashville in the dusty world of Brown Horse; whose folkier slant on alt-country and Americana roots rock will grow an instant mullet down the necks of Felice Brothers, Jayhawks, Silver Jews, Langhorne Slim and Son Volt fans.
Brown Horse + Ead Wood + DJ at The Canteen.
Showstopping trifecta of contemporary classical meets experimental electronic. Mara Simpson weaves vocal loops and field recordings into shapeshifting ambient/avant garde/chamber folk soundscapes to lose (and find) yourself deep within. Stellar support in the glitchy jazzbient eclecticism of Bethany Ley (fka STANLÆY) and pianist Larkhall’s sublime post-classical compositions.
Mara Simpson + Bethany Ley + Larkhall at The Jam Jar.
Mesmerising Liverpool duo Loris and the Lion bringing a dark breed of baroque folk to the Orchard; trembling Sandy Denny-channelling vocals and orchestral instrumentation carry modern twists on fairy and folktales with haunting beauty and pathos. Essential FFO: Kate Bush, Anohni, Joanna Newsom, Tori Amos, Bat For Lashes.
Loris and the Lion + Support at The Orchard Coffee & Co, BS5 7LA.
More Photos of Folk Nights & Acoustic Music in Bristol
What our editors say
“Following the release of his critically acclaimed new album The Light Fantastic, one of the country’s most underrated yet most loved singer-songwriters, John Bramwell will play six full band shows this November as John Bramwell & The Full Harmonic Convergence.”
From: John Bramwell & The Full Harmonic Convergence
“In their early years Bellowhead played to hundreds of thousands of people at festivals and on tour and were regularly lauded as “one of the country’s greatest live outfits.” After a hiatus, the band reunited for a joyous sold-out tour in 2022 which reaffirmed their status as one of the biggest and most in demand UK folk acts.”
From: Bellowhead
“Tom’s debut album went Gold in France in 2001, selling over 60,000 copies, and he has divided his time between Paris and Wiltshire since 2021. Says Tom: “I grew up being intrigued by classic French songs. Before streaming services made all music readily available, only the huge crossover pop songs made it across the channel, but while my friends were listening to Vanessa Paradis, I was listening to Serge Gainsbourg. It seemed exotic, adventurous, and to be from another planet, let alone a country only 21 miles away from my own.””
From: Tom McRae
“For over 20 years now, multi award-winning country music vocal group Little Big Town – consisting of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook – have enthralled audiences the world over with lush harmonies, enchanting melody and next-level musicianship.”
From: Little Big Town plus special guest Ashley Monroe
“In recent years, Carrack has focused primarily on his career as a solo artist, releasing through his label Carrack-UK and embarking on tours across the country. The solo records have since flourished into a substantial and diverse body of work, with Carrack having released an impressive 12 albums over the last 21 years.”
From: The 'How Long' 50th Anniversary Tour