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Funk, Soul and Motown in Bristol

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Bristol's Funk And Soul Scene

Funk and soul - the secret undercurrent to Bristol music?
Funk and soul is now synonymous with radio personalities like Craig Charles and long-running nights like Soul Train (in Bristol). While its roots are deep, there was a period in the 90s when soul ran freely through the city via trip-hoppers Massive Attack who combined a soulful edge with current, to the minute electronic production. The more tortured soulful grooves of Tricky were like a bleak West Country version of neo-soul acts like Erykah Badu. While these acts rarely get called soul, their debt to 70s funk and soul legends like Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown and Bootsy Collins is undeniable.

Live Funk in Bristol
Funk isn't huge in Bristol but there are still some good funk bands playing regular gigs, even if the market is slightly smaller than it used to be. Quality hammond led jazz-funk jams can often be found at the Golden Lion on Gloucester road. For faster more sweaty funk gigs, keep and eye on what's on at the Mr Wolfs in Bristol city centre.

Live Soul in Bristol
In the early 2000's there was a much needed soul revival in the UK. At the core of this revival was Brighton and in particular it's Tru-Thoughts record label. Artists like Alice Russell and Belleruche ventured into 'nu-soul', while bands like the Quantic Soul Orchestra revisited raw early funk. While the albums made during this period were nothing hugely special, the performances that came with them were a welcome return of quality and engaging soul music. Being an important city in the UK's live music scene, Bristol and it's venues were (and still are) a key tour-stop for modern soul gigs. Whilst the revival is not as strong as it was, there are still some consistent soul and funk venues in Bristol to check whats on. Trinity Centre is the new home of Tru-thoughts / Stones Throw / Freestyle Recs type tours, with recent (2010) Bristol events including Belleruche, Speedometer and The Bamboos. The 02 Academy, Colston Hall and the Bristol Thekla are Bristol's main venues for bigger name musicians or comeback tours for legendary Motown and soul singers. It's also worth checking the Lost Horizon listings, they seem to have a great ability of booking upcoming talent before it hits the big time. While not strictly soul or funk, the venue has hosted some great cross over artists including Little Dragon and The Apples.

The Park Bar in Clifton with it's Hot Buttered Soul nights is also worth looking into.

If you're looking for disco clubnights in Bristol check the mainstream city centre venues (which we don't list on this website).

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Our recent funk and soul recommendations

Worlds collide 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. Hypnotic Gnawa grooves meet high-energy trance rhythms. Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna Groove bring ancient traditions alive in a deep, powerful live show. Full band. Two sets. Pure spirit.

Saharan rocker Bombino swings through town with his desert blues, conjuring communal dance atmospheres and fractal fretboard shred. Part of the golden generation of Tuareg guitarists, his instrument plays like a motorcycle racing down a mountain of reggae-inflected rhythms, leaving slack-jawed axeman enthusiasts in his wake. Essential FFO: Mdou Moctar, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Dirty Projectors, fuzzboxes. The “Sultan of Shred” blends traditional Saharan rhythms with rock, blues and reggae

Bristol stands in solidarity with the Congolese people and their suffering after decades of war, displacement and mineral exploitation. Come get educated with panel discussions and information stalls + witness live performances from bass-heavy neo-soulster Soulbee, gritty UK rap from Komposa and much much more, all raising money for on-the-ground relief efforts. Presented by Afro-Revolution & SOLiD Bristol

Addictive, affirming and acclaimed jazz-inflected highlife! Jembaa Groove are floating on their own cloud of breezy vocals, sparkling Rhodes licks, elevating horns, and clattering congas. 7 humans conjuring deep soul fusion at it’s finest alongside Francophile neo-soul boom-bap from Bristol’s beloved MĀDŁY. Mandatory attendance FFO: Tony Allen, Moses Yoofee, Pat Thomas, Ezra Collective, Ebo Taylor. Berlin-based 7-piece making super fresh and uplifting afro-soul music grounded in Ghana’s Highlife, jazz and silky grooves

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What our editors say

“Pianist-composer Philip Clouts is best known as one of the moving spirits in the irresistibly eclectic, critically acclaimed, African-infused world-jazz outfit ZubopGambia. His distinctive jazz-world fusion music is inspired by the natural beauty of his rural Dorset home but has deep roots in the gentle township jive of his native South Africa, cross-pollinated with lilting, carefree calypso; hip-swaying Latin American jazz; vivacious West African Afrobeat; relaxed New Orleans street funk; and earthy, gospel-fired soul-jazz.”
From: PHILIP CLOUTS SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ QUARTET

“After honing their sound on the streets of Edinburgh and hot off the back of sold-out shows across the globe, Scotland’s freshest funk band, High Fade, are bringing their infectious live show to Bristol’s Lost Horizon.”
From: High Fade presents Unsigned & Dangerous Tour

“Blending post-punk, R&B, new wave, and electro-funk with raw emotional intensity. Marcus has quickly become one of music’s most exciting new voices. His critically acclaimed debut Erotic Probiotic 2 and follow-up EP Catching Chickens have earned him praise from Pitchfork, The Guardian, and CRACK Magazine.”
From: Nourished by Time

“Imagine if Ray Manzarek was the frontman for the Bee Gees... It’s a neat visual introduction to Joel Sarakula, a UK-based Australian artist who writes, producesand sings Soulful Pop, gazing out at a contemporary world through vintage glasses, vintage threads and long blond hair. His music is informed by a rich, 1970s-inspired palette, drawing on soft-rock, funk and disco influences: sunny, uptempo jams for darker times. Self-aware that he looks and occasionally sounds like the love child of Ray Manzarek and the Gibb brothers, his self-deprecating sense of humour is always there just below the fringe.”
From: Joel Sarakula with guest Xav Clarke

“Departing from earlier jazz leanings, but Still oozing with soul, their sound nods to not only African funk and hip hop but strong modern references, including electronic pop favourites Jungle By Night and cosmic groove merchants Khruangbin.”
From: Muito Kaballa