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Folk Nights & Acoustic Music in Bristol

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Bristol's Folk & Acoustic Scene

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: Lost Horizon, 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.

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Our recent folk & acoustic recommendations

2nd date added due to massive demand! 90s dancehall legend incoming! Tanya rides ruffneck riddims with a royal sass, penning wicked ladies anthems that shine bright in a macho-posturing scene. She’s a true trailblazer, alongside Lady Saw, paving the road for the ragga queens of the future: Lila Iké, Koffee and more still to come. Trust us, Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet! Tanya Stephens + Dub Princess - Tickets Available at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Oh gosh! 90s dancehall legend incoming! Tanya rides ruffneck riddims with a royal sass, penning wicked ladies anthems that shine bright in a macho-posturing scene. She’s a true trailblazer, alongside Lady Saw, paving the road for the ragga queens of the future: Lila Iké, Koffee and more still to come. Trust us, Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet! Tanya Stephens + Dub Princess at The Jam Jar.

August delivers dreamy, hard-hitting electronics shaped by trip-hop, pop, and breaks. Already turning heads with standout sets at Bristol Beacon and The Mount Without; they’re joined by Marns’ rich, jazz-soaked soul and My Midnight Heart’s haunting, alt-R&B textures. AUGUST + Marns + My Midnight Heart at The Louisiana.

Ecstatic, infinite, freak-out guaranteed from Flower-Corsano Duo: serving mind-melting kinetic free improv on electrified shahi baaja and incendiary drums for the armchair Microplex psychonauts. Unmissable third eye bizness FFO: Vibracathedral Orchestra, Sun Ra, Boredoms, Master Musicians of Bukkake. Flower/Corsano Duo + Annie Gardiner + μ ensemble at The Cube.

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What our editors say

“Bringing a new splash of spirit to old time genres, four-piece band Moonshine Malarkey raise the roof with raucous drinking songs and tell lyrical tales of monkeys, mermaids and moonshine. Expect a signature blend of footstompin’ country, swing, folk, calypso and boozy blues, with fiery violin solos, high energy drums and smooth lead vocals joined by soulful harmonies.”
From: Moonshine Malarkey

“Joining them in support are Scotland’s, Pupil Slicer, whose mathcore assault has become a staple on bills up and down the country following the release of their albums, ‘Mirrors’ (2021) and ‘Blossom’ (2023).”
From: LLNN

“With a unique blend of jazz and Scottish folk inspired by his country’s sublime landscapes, pianist Fergus McCreadie’s music captures the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide, with an appeal that extends far beyond the constraints of genre.”
From: Fergus McCreadie

“Bahamas is the moniker of Canadian artist Afie Jurvanen, a globally acclaimed songwriter and touring musician known for his warm, genre-blurring sound and understated style. His latest album, Bootcut, finds him leaning fully into classic country songwriting influences — adding to a catalog that’s earned over 750 million streams and more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Fan favorites like Lost in the Light (Gold-certified) and All the Time (Platinum-certified) continue to resonate widely, while his work has drawn praise from the likes of Taylor Swift, BTS, Wilco, and kd lang.”
From: Bahamas + special guests

“PROJECTOR’s debut album ‘NOW WHEN WE TALK IT’S VIOLENCE’ moves effortlessly between artful derangement, aggression and the pop hooks that have regularly seen the band gatecrash the mainstream rock scene. At times it’s drenched in the dark, industrial brutalism of Joy Division, at others it’s a spectacular of hyperactive, Squid-flavoured rant-pop. The album features climaxes that stagger into acid-soaked country, warped with drum machines and lush harmonies, before leaping into blisteringly paranoid Incesticide-era grunge, topped with melting Lana Del Rey-flavour choruses.”
From: PROJECTOR