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Folk Nights & Acoustic Music in Bristol
— 109 upcoming gigsBristol'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.
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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 Start The Bus 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.
For off-centre Twee and Anti-Folk, be sure to check out what's on at the Louisiana and check the Start The Bus 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
The rest of our folk & acoustic listings are in the column to the left.
More Photos of Folk Nights & Acoustic Music in Bristol
Bristol's Trending Live Music Venues
Exchange The Louisiana Start The Bus The Trinity Centre The Marble Factory
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Exchange
Garden Centre
Garden Centre + The Tubs at Exchange
The Canteen
Soufian Saihi
Evoking the enticing mystery of the North African desert
St George's Bristol
Courtney Marie Andrews
Using songwriting as a healing technique, Andrews preserves each memory like an emotional archaeologist.
The Hare on the Hill
Hare on the Hill folk session
Friendly folk session - musicians and observers welcome
The Bristol Fringe
Freddie Lewis - Songs From A Lilac Underpass
Stripped back intimate music and poetry performance by Freddie Lewis - with support from jodie mellor.
Cloak and Dagger, The
Around About Dusk
Come and join us for an evening of jazz and folk with the talented Around About Dusk
Lost Horizon
An Evening with Rum Buffalo & John Fairhurst
Get ready for a night filled with heavy, game-changing blues at Lost Horizon HQ.
The Rope Walk
Sam Paul Live
Sam Paul with support from Seb Hawley
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
Down at the Barn Halloween Special
Join Leonie Evans and guests for some laid back blues, jazz and folk.
Crofters Rights
De Anima | Live 3 - Niall McNamee & Burr Island
Relapse for your Soul
JAM & TOAST
JAM & TOAST
A night hosted by BLK FXS.
The Canteen
Fat-Suit
Multi disciplined musicians of jazz, folk, rock, and electronic worlds
Elmer's Arms
Voodoo Workin' Halloween Spook-Tacular
Spooky, Moody & Sleazy Atmospheric Oddball sounds from the 1950s and 60s
St George's Bristol
Raise the Bar: Raymond Antrobus + Guests
Raise the Bar is back at St. George’s Bristol with its biggest event in 2 years, headlined by international poetry star Raymond Antrobus.
Beard and Sabre
Matt Banks Duo live @ The Taphouse
Matt Banks Duo playing live @ The Taphouse
The ILL REPUTE
Halloween Extravaganza
Halloween Blowout with The Mudd Club, The Jugbusters & Asteroid J
The Canteen
Tarren
An ambassador for English Folk, weaving minimalist hooks throughout songs and tunes that have the pulse of English music at its heart
Horts, Bristol
Tonic 035: Helen Sheppard
A night of music, poetry, profundity and humour, headlined by word-wizard Helen Sheppard.
Jam Jar
Sam Brookes + Natalie Holmes
Black Feathers Album Launch
Cloak and Dagger, The
Harmonica Nick & Friends
An eclectic mix of Latin funk, blues & jazz
Lost Horizon
Will And The People | Bristol
Celebrating the launch of their latest album Past The Point Of No Return, Will & The People hit the road this November.
The Thunderbolt
JOLLYROGER
Sea-Punk Pirate band
The Rose of Denmark Bristol
Prohibition Fridays: Seb Hawley
Chilled vibes from Rosie’s Cool Cats in Bristol’s most groovy underground speakeasy
El Rincon
The Rhonetones
Legendary father-and-daughter duo, featuring voices, accordion, fiddle and banjo
The Wardrobe Theatre
Rowan Rheingans: Dispatches on the Red Dress
Dispatches on the Red Dress is an intimate and courageous new solo show by twice BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning songwriter Rowan Rheingans.
The Canteen
Hodmadoddery live
Folk circuit standards, trad. numbers, and the odd random who’d-ha’-thought-it cover
Jam Jar
Cahalen Morrision + Kim Oehme
Originally hailing from the high desert of Northern New Mexico, Cahalen Morrison has made a name for himself.
The Canteen
Shayler & Brooke
Contemporary folk music that draws on traditions from both sides of the Atlantic
Exchange
Max White
Max White at Exchange
El Rincon
Jonny Velon Duo
Art-rock-showman leads intriguing duo
The Grain Barge
The Grain Barge Open Mic
Cosy space, friendly host, all styles welcome!
Cloak and Dagger, The
PHAT Bristol : Alexander Canwell + support
PHAT Bristol are delighted to present the riotously unstoppable Alexander Canwell!
The Rose of Denmark Bristol
Prohibition Fridays: The Pickin Missys
Chilled vibes from Rosie’s Cool Cats in Bristol’s most groovy underground speakeasy
The Rose of Denmark Bristol
Prohibition Saturdays: Sam Paul
Chilled vibes from Rosie’s Cool Cats in Bristol’s most groovy underground speakeasy
the hen and chicken
Sarah Larkham EP launch
Enthralling, poetic folk with support from Sue Harding
Exchange
Ceitidh Mac
Ceitidh Mac at Exchange basement
Strange Brew
Ichiko Aoba
A rising star in Japan, her music soundtracks Zelda for Nintendo Switch as well as multiple popular theatrical productions.
Crofters Rights
Ålesund // Agata // Rookeries
An atmospheric night of alt pop
The Ill Repute
The Cold Heart Revue + The Wicky Wah Wahs
An evening of blues, rock, and rhythm and blues with a #1 blues artist The Cold Heart Revue
The Grain Barge
IT: Olivia Rose, Kololo & Bronwyn Leonard
An electric fusion of hip hop beats and soulful melodies
The Thunderbolt
THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG
THE MEN THEY COULDNT HANG
Downend Folk Club @ Christ Church Downend
The Carrivick Sisters + The Last Inklings
The Carrivick Sisters bring a preview of their new album to Downend Folk Club
Mr Wolfs
Razzomo Full Band Set
Expect Balkan/Gypsy, Celtic/Irish Folk blended with dance music, dub, rock and even touches of metal
The Rose of Denmark Bristol
Prohibition Fridays: E-J Evans
Chilled vibes from Rosie’s Cool Cats in Bristol’s most groovy underground speakeasy
El Rincon
Newton's Toad
intriguingly unclassifiable acoustic trio from deepest Somerset
St Swithin's, Bath
David Gray - music, nature and conversation
Evening of music, nature and conversation with David Gray
Friendly Records
‘ISLAND OF NOISE’ - MODERN NATURE
AN EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF THE ALBUMʼS ACCOMPANYING FILM JACK COOPER IN CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD KING
Bristol Folk House
Daoirí Farrell
Winner of two BBC Folk Awards 2017: The Horizon Award for best newcomer and Best Traditional Track
The Canteen
Eddy Smith & The 507
Captivating audiences with a uniquely husky voice and tasteful piano accompaniment
The Hare on the Hill
The Fordsons
Old-time, mountain music from the Appalachian region
Jam Jar
PerKelt 'Let Loose' at The Jam Jar (Bristol)
A night of upbeat Pagan folk music
St George's Bristol
Blazin' Fiddles
One of the world’s most prolific fiddle groups, Blazin’ Fiddles formed for a one-off tour of the Scottish Highlands in 1999.
St George's Bristol
Blazin' Fiddles
One of the world’s most prolific fiddle groups, Blazin’ Fiddles formed for a one-off tour of the Scottish Highlands in 1999 and are still ra
Exchange
Warren Ireland
Warren Ireland at Exchange
The Hare on the Hill
Hare on the Hill folk session
Friendly folk session - musicians and observers welcome
Mr Wolfs
Jasper Storey + Harmer Jays + Tom Forbes
Soul/Rock Singer/Songwriter from Bristol
El Rincon
JOW album launch
Cello and trumpet duo launch their debut album
Jam Jar
Moulettes
Psychedelic Art Rock // Prog // Folk
Art Club Market
Jam & Toast
A night hosted by BLK FXS.
The Rose of Denmark Bristol
Prohibition Fridays: Rob Jackson
Chilled vibes from Rosie’s Cool Cats in Bristol’s most groovy underground speakeasy
The Sundial Kitchen, Amba House, 1 William Street, Totterdown, BS3 4TU
Sundial Sessions
Live music and DJs
Bristol Folk House
Lady Maisery - "Exquisite Vocal Harmonies".
Award-winning vocal trio Lady Maisery are to visit Bristol Folk House on 28th November
Rough Trade Bristol
Marina Allen
The latest signing to Fire Records
All Hallows Hall
Homer to HipHop: A People’s History of Spoken Word
A dazzling performance lecture from author & poet, Pete Bearder + Special Guests
Crofters Rights
MUMBLE TIDE
Presented by Gravy Train & BLG Promotions.
Crofters Rights
Native Harrow
Pennsylvania folk duo Native Harrow make warm, desert-funk infused tunes that harness a glimmering, timeless nostalgia.
Crofters Rights
Freddie Lewis and Friends
Freddie Lewis and his friends: Jodie Mellor, Charlie T Smith and Nory-J
Jam Jar
Sheelanagig
Putting the groove into a selection of traditional and original European Folk music dating from the medieval times to present day
Crofters Rights
JOZEF VAN WISSEM w/ HARRIET RILEY & ALEX GARDEN
Presented by Gravy Train & BLG Promotions.
Jam Jar
The Schmoozenbergs
‘Upbeat good time music’ (Songlines)
Ashton Court
James Morton's Porkchop Jazz Night
A special evening of Jazz infused music featuring James Morton's Porkchop Organ Quartet and support act Lady Nade
Crofters Rights
Two Day Coma
Two Day Coma return to The Crofters Rights to see out 2021 in style
The Canteen
Old Baby Mackerel live
High-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass
The Hare on the Hill
Hare on the Hill folk session
Friendly folk session - musicians and observers welcome
Bristol Beacon Foyer
Celestine
Celestine is an eclectic soul artist with a velvet voice rich in emotion and experience.
Downend Folk Club @Christ Church Downend
A Winter Union + Lizzy Hardingham
Five leading lights of the British roots scene join forces to create a festive folk band like no other.
Jam Jar
Blowin' a Hooley Christmas Ceilidh
Festive family fun and
Bristol Folk House
The Young'uns
The Young'uns deliver songs of conscience with warmth and wit
St George's Bristol
The Candlelit Concert
Live music by candlelight
St George's Bristol
The Candlelit Concert
Live music by candlelight
The Trinity Centre
Tom Rosenthal
Gently epic, whimsical ballads
The Wardrobe Theatre
Rachel Baiman
Well versed in a variety of fiddle traditions including Old-Time, Bluegrass, Scottish and Canadian styles, Rachel Baiman is a versatile and
The Louisiana
Allison Russell
Allison Russell’s stark, vulnerable songwriting holds a cathartic essence.
The Hare on the Hill
Hare on the Hill folk session
Friendly folk session - musicians and observers welcome
The Louisiana
Sean McConnell
Grammy-nominated Sean McConnell is something of a country music prodigy.
Exchange
Charlotte Carpenter
Charlotte Carpenter at Exchange
Jam Jar
POSTPONED Seas Of Mirth & Ushti Baba + more
Bristol big banger double headliner! Get immersed in some downright wonky delights and some sub aquatic sensory fun.
Bristol Folk House
Flook
More than twenty five years after their first gig together, Flook continue to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages.
The Louisiana
Chad VanGaalen + Kiwi Jr.
Cult Canadian illustrator / Sub Pop signed @chadvangaalen finally returns to Bristol
Crofters Rights
Roxanne de Bastion
Presented by BLG Promotions.
St George's Bristol
The Candlelit Concert
Live music by candlelight
The Lanes
NIGHT BEATS
Presented by Gravy Train & BLG Promotions.
Exchange
Dana Gavanski
BBC 6 Music approved, Toronto based Dana Gavanski returns to Bristol
Rough Trade Bristol
Brothers Moving
Catch Brothers Moving at their debut Bristol show
Lost Horizon
Beans on Toast, Kitty Liv
Festival favourite Beans on Toast is back!
Crofters Rights
John R Miller and JP Harris
Country music troubadour John R Miller knows how to tell a story.
The Trinity Centre
Fink
Bristolian, low-slung groove
Rough Trade Bristol
Molly Linen + Clémentine March
A special Lost Map double header!
Exchange
Amigo The Devil
Amigo The Devil at Exchange
Bristol Folk House
Heidi Talbot
“mesmerising” and “intoxicating” gossamer voice to the delicate re-working of traditional and contemporary material that has earned her rave
Crofters Rights
WYLDEST
Presented by Gravy Train & BLG Promotions.
The Lanes
LAURA STEVENSON
Presented by Gravy Train & BLG Promotions.
The Station
Joshua Radin
Joshua Radin is “one of a crop of singer-songwriters whose names became ubiquitous with a particular kind of heartstring-pulling drama”.
Exchange
Charlie Parr
Charlie Parr at Exchange
Exchange
Jonathan Bree
Jonathan Bree at Exchange
Downend Folk Club @ Frenchay Village Hall
India Electric Co. + support TBC
India Electric Co. headline Downend Folk Club's April concert at Frenchay Village Hall
St George's Bristol
Talisk
One of Scotland’s most popular folk groups to emerge in the last decade, Talisk return to Bristol in May 2020 - headlining the city’s stunni
The Trinity Centre
The Wandering Hearts
London-based alt-country/folk Americana
Bristol Folk House
Grant-Lee Phillips
Grant-Lee Phillip's is a veteran singer-songwriter addressing the strange fragility of life.