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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

Sell out warning! The majestic trad/not-trad fiddle of Mikey Kenney is a real treat: giddy strings steeped in 1,000 years of rich UK ballads, peppered with Mikey’s own urban Merseyside compositions and influences from bluegrass to Italian folk and beyond. Plaintive delights FFO: Tommy Peoples, Aidan O'Rourke, Aaron Catlow, Band of Burns." Mikey Kenney + Âellin at The Jam Jar.

Angeline Morrison crafts hauntingly beautiful folk injected with a captivating blend of melancholy and darkness, accompanied by the poignant strings of the autoharp. Her latest works are visionary re-writings of Black people’s experiences into a tradition that largely ignored them. History in the making FFO: Buffy Sainte Marie, Shirley Collins, Shovel Dance Collective. Angeline Morrison at The Wardrobe Theatre.

Sell out warning! Outsider artist sans pareil, the world is a lot less magical for the loss of legendary freak folk troubadour Michael Hurley. A year on, a loving gathering of Cube kinfolk honours his life with Rozi Plain, Rachael Dadd, Herbal Tea + more performing their interpretations of Hurley treasures, alongside a selection of rare films and cartoon curiosities from the archives. Rest in power beautiful Snock! UNDER THE PROPOSAL TREE at The Cube.

Local virtuosic experimentalist Nik Rawlings lends their sublime operatic vocals to this new series exploring DIY spatial sonics! They're joined by Duncan Speakman’s visceral fog of guitar-processed musique concréte and spectral dronewave from Natalia Mamcarczyk – immersive minimal soundscapes await at this essential one FFO: Éliane Radigue, Kali Malone, claire rousay, Blank Forms. PUNK/T SPATIAL #1 Nik Rawlings, Duncan Speakman, Natalia Mamcarczyk at Arnolfini.

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What our editors say

“A sumptuous evening of a cappella harmony at The Bristol Folk House to mark the trio’s ten year anniversary. Three Rivers formed in 2016 and since then have captivated audiences with their perfectly blended three part vocal arrangements that span jazz, soul and folk. Singing a selection of songs both old and new, the evening is set to be a truly special celebration not to be missed.”
From: Three Rivers Ten Year Anniversary Gig

“Described as “a breath of fresh air on the swing scene” (Twinwood Festival) Down for the Count’s 10-piece mini big band is regularly found in jazz clubs across the UK and abroad (Ronnie Scott’s London, Le Caveau de la Huchette Paris), at festivals including London Jazz Festival, and on BBC Radio. Now they are bringing the sounds and feels of the best jazz clubs to theatres around the country – with an electrifying show full of incredible energy, musicianship, and their own signature wry wit and humour.”
From: Swing That Music with the Down for the Count All-Stars

“Sean (banjo) has sung and played with other bands in Bristol, Keith (guitar) played with the country rock band “The Hanks”. Both Bob (mandolin) and Deb (double bass) took up their instruments later in life and also play classical pieces in the Bristol Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble.”
From: The Hogranch

“Expect easy, fun line-dance routines that anyone can jump into... we’ll be revisiting a few crowd favourites alongside some brand-new dances. It’s all about laughs, feel-good country tunes, and getting everyone moving, whether it’s your first time or you’ve danced with us before.”
From: Cowboy My Choreo - CMC Events

“Larry Fleet is an American country music singer-songwriter from Tennessee. He grew up in a stack of records that spun everything from Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson to Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye. That mix shaped a sound rooted in country storytelling but unafraid to reach beyond its borders. A thoughtful songwriter with a knack for sharp one-liners, sturdy hooks, and a powerhouse voice that cuts straight to the truth, Fleet was working blue-collar jobs long before ever landing a record deal. Fleet is doing things his own way, touring globally, connecting with fans, and staying true to where he's from while taking country music somewhere new.”
From: Larry Fleet