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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.

Buy tickets for folk & acoustic events in Bristol

Our recent folk & acoustic recommendations

Sell out warning! Stormy alt-folk, hewn straight from the earth. Sean Rowe’s bluesy, soul-steeped ballads are utterly captivating, his deep, moody baritone and narrative chops effortlessly conjuring the spirit of Cohen & Waits. An emotional reckoning FFO: Iron & Wine, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nick Cave. Sean Rowe at Exchange.

Able Noise are a Cube no-brainer! Their deconstructed post-rock undulates woozily between minimalism and maximalism in a time-bending, freeform interplay of collapsing loops, snatched fragments and percussive textures. Plus glitchy folktronica duo Milkweed and a debut show for Eva May & Tara Clerkin Trio’s Pat Benjamin. Huge FFO: Slint, Still House Plants, Lifted. Able Noise / Milkweed / Eva May & Pat Benjamin at The Cube.

Dreamy nouvelle chanson drifting into the Cube! Laura Cahen’s unique style of contemporary folk weaves orchestral textures and hazy electronics into meditations on longing, loss and the natural world. Total magic FFO: Fenne Lilly, Aldous Harding, Cate Le Bon, This Is The Kit. LAURA CAHEN at The Cube.

Worlds collide at Jam Jar once again as you get steeped in the Moroccan Gnawa musical tradition from a true master. Mohamed Errebbaa leads his 7 piece band through winding polyrhythms charged with the healing trance of sufi mysticism + a special guest appearance from Robert Plant / Jah Wobble journeyman Justin Adams. Master of Gnawa music, Mohamed Errebbaa, and his group Tagna Groove bring an electrifying fusion of traditional rhythms and contemporary sounds, joined by Justin Adams.

What our editors say

“One of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the game is named Katie Crutchfield. She was born in Alabama, grew up near Waxahatchee Creek. Skipped town and struck out on her own as Waxahatchee. That was over a decade ago. Crutchfield says she never knew the road would lead her here, but after six critically acclaimed albums, she’s never felt more confident in herself as an artist. While her sound has evolved from lo-fi folk to lush alt-tinged country, her voice has always remained the same. Honest and close, poetic with Southern lilting. Much like Carson McCullers’s Mick Kelly, determined in her desires and convictions, ready to tell whoever will listen.”
From: WAXAHATCHEE

“Tennessee-born guitarist, songwriter and producer William Tyler began his career in the early 2000s touring with acts such as Lambchop and Silver Jews before breaking away to focus on his unique brand of instrumental guitar music, often dubbed ‘cosmic country’.”
From: William Tyler

“The coffee-making, sing-along videos and Facebook Live Streams that got millions of people through the Covid-19 quarantine put Alexandra Kay on the map. Generating millions of plays weekly on her videos and chart-topping original music she commands the attention of country music fans. With a voice reminiscent of Dolly Parton, Alison Kraus and Lee Ann Womack, she brings country music back to its roots.”
From: Alexandra Kay

“Formed in Brighton back in 1986 The Popguns have proved to be one of the most enduring and beloved indie bands in the country. Maybe best known for their fantastic single Waiting For The Winter, the Popguns are back and still producing excellent records. Their live show is not to be missed!”
From: BRISTOL GOES POP - INDIE ALL-DAYER

“Taking in soul, funk, country-rock and any other kinds of music they care to play, expect drama, improvisation, musical fireworks and Waterboys classics such as ‘The Whole Of The Moon’, ‘How Long Will I Love You’ and ‘This Is The Sea’.”
From: The Waterboys