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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

Look no further than this sweet Exchange matinee for family-friendly NYE joys: heartfelt acoustic guitar balladry from Washington punk-folker and ex-RVIVR frontperson Erica Freas, side-by-side with singer-songwriter newbie duo Box Room. Free entry for under 16s + all over by 4pm = deeeeelightful. NYE Matinee with Erica Freas & Box Room at Exchange.

Ian A. Anderson marks six decades in Bristol’s folk scene with a night of earthily paletted country blues. His hymn-like melodies ripple with twangy, good-natured campfire warmth – a living archive of timeless folk craft, performed with unassuming brilliance FFO: Nick Drake, Grateful Dead, CSNY. Ian A. Anderson & Friends at Bristol Folk House.

Huge huge treat for the DIY indie scene as beloved lo-fi balladeer Perkie makes a rare live outing; their melodic anti-folk-meets-avant-pop is in prime company with ex-Sissy power-punk Leigh Arthur, Permapup’s tender-hearted twee pop and Dyke Mother’s emerging experimental grunge. Essential session FFO: Emmy the Great, Erica Freas, This Is The Kit, Darren Hayman, Trust Fund. Perkie, Leigh Arthur, Permapup, & Dyke Mother at Cafe Kino.

Elly Hopkins draws deep from the songbook of doo-wop, jazz, folk, and garage rock, crafting gritty-but-grooveable Americana ballads carried by big bluesy power vocals – keeping it fresh all the while. Think PJ Harvey and CMAT’s irresistible pop-rock side project; this’ll hit with fans of: Lady Lamb, Lissie, Aimee Mann, Juju. Animal EP release show at Elmers Arms.

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What our editors say

“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

“Having shared stages with Overpass, Ellur, and Twin Atlantic, the band have honed a sound that shimmers with emotion and surges with scale. With new music slated for autumn/winter 2026, Fright Years are set to embark on their biggest headline tour to date, bringing their soaring sound and emotional intensity to stages across the country marking the next thrilling chapter in their ascent.”
From: Fright Years

“Shtëpi are a melting pot of exhilarating art-punk sounds, boasting an aggressive and emphatic live sound, reminiscent of Viagra Boys & Idles. Expect industrial synth sounds, groovy percussion and guitars that vary between static and devoted, yet always triumphant. The band’s eclectic song-writing defies the containment of genres, with their latest EP ‘CTRL + ALT + ROCK’ forming the consummation of 3 years of relentless gigging, which has seen the surging act support the likes of Geese, Personal Trainer and Getdown Services. Shtëpi are one of the country’s most exciting upcoming bands, catch them before they’re the country’s worst kept secret!”
From: Shtëpi + guests

“In January and February, they embarked on their first US tour in 11 years. March and April saw a tour in Western Japan. In August, they toured the Czech Republic and Germany, marking their inaugural European tour. In September, they played two shows in Taiwan, their first time performing in another Asian country besides Japan.”
From: Sunflowers + Green Milk From The Planet Orange

“LIFTER proudly take musical cues from a diverse range of sources, including slowcore, folk, country, chamber pop, and indie rock, and deftly showcase this throughout their latest release. A handful of comparable sounds would include Fairport Convention, David Grubbs, The American Analog Set and Sparklehorse.”
From: Foot Foot // LIFTER // Eva May // English Weather